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Board of Directors Veterans As they now spend time serving our community, they also served our country. Five of our Board of Directors are also military Veterans. In celebration of Veterans Day, we take this time to honor them. Here is a glimpse into their military experiences — in their own words. Thank you for your service, then and now. Joe Barletta — US Army I was in Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) in college, received my commission as a reserve officer in the U.S. Army Ordnance, and served on active duty in 1961-1962 at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. As an Electrical Engineer, I was assigned as a section head working in the Development and Proof Services Division. Aberdeen was no hardship tour and the Vietnam War had not yet started. We tested firing stabilization systems on our tanks and the new Vulcan machine gun. I was also involved in training visiting West Point cadets and South Vietnamese officers. My most interesting assignment in the Army involved managing the development and testing of a radar chronograph to measure the velocity of artillery shells to improve first-round accuracy. After leaving active duty, in civilian life I went to work in the defense industry for the rest of my career and was involved in, and managed, many very interesting and challenging classified projects. These included space systems, radar warning systems, electronic defense/countermeasures, reconnaissance systems, and many more. Although my military career did not involve actual combat, it hopefully improved the means for our service members to perform their duties more effectively and safely. Peter J. Antoine — US Army and US Air Force In 1966, I was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed for one year in Vietnam during the war and one year in the states. In my service to the country during the Vietnam War, I was a non-commissioned officer in charge of relationships between foreign allies and the United States. After returning home in 1968, I served for an additional four years in the Army Reserves. In 1985, I joined the United States Air Force, attended medical school, and was assigned to the 452nd Medical Unit as a non-commissioned officer in charge of logistics for creation of air transportation hospitals. I also served in Operation Desert Storm. My most interesting assignment was assisting medical officers, nurses, doing triage, setting up air transportation hospitals, and acting as a physical training officer in the Air Force. Some of my most memorable experiences are volunteering for assignments for the General and being able to assist other comrades with their medical needs. I retired from the Air Force in 2005 as a non-commissioned officer in charge of air transportation hospitals and logistics. I received numerous commendations, among which includes being selected as Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter for the Air Force, in addition to an appreciation and recognition of my outstanding support during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. One of the outstanding periods in my service was when my unit was recognized by President Ronald Reagan for outstanding service and accomplishment. It has been an honor and privilege, both now and then, to have served my country. My service to the country was with honor, distinction, loyalty, and courage. I thank God for the United States of America. God bless our country. Pete on Veterans Day here about 10 years ago in his original fatigues Joe Barletta in his ROTC uniform 12 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | NOVEMBER 2021