Veterans Day

VETERANS DAYBy: Rachael Grimm

United States ARMY

Veteran of the

Vietnam War

RALPH THOMAS HENSEL

“Tom”

Interview QuestionsDate of service? 1962-1971

How old were you when in army? 20 years old

Where you drafted or did you enlisted? Both,

First I was drafted then I wanted to be promoted so I enlisted and qualified for schooling for two years.

Did you fight in combat? No, When I was sent overseas, my MOS (job) was in

the signal core. The signal core is radio communications. I was a specialist. I was located at Tan Son Nhut for 6 months then relocated for 6 more months in Vung Tau.

How long were you in Vietnam? 1 year. It was the end of the war. I did my schooling in Ft Bragg, N.C. for sixteen months then I was discharged.

Did you have a good friend that you still keep in touch with? Yes,

Jim Spry We met at Ft. Bragg

Did you use anything from what you learned in the service later on in life? Long Story!

When I got discharged I applied at different Telephone Companies but didn’t get called by them. Then Someone told me Lenox Crystal was hiring. I applied and got hired. I didn’t realize it was a glass company! I thought it was electronics. See there were transistor radios called crystals.

What do you think about Veteran’s Day?

Veteran’s day is nice because it honors the soldiers. But I myself don’t like war and when I think of Veteran’s day I think of war. I did not want to fight, that is one reason I signed up for schooling. I look forward to the time when God say’s “Man will learn war no more” (Found in Revelations I think)

Funny MemoriesWhen I went to Vietnam I went surfing on a surf

board when I was on RNR. Never did that before being a country boy.

When I was coming home, my car engine blew up. My brother had to come pick me up in Maryland.

Enjoy your Veterans Day

Remembering the ones that passed away…..

R.I.P.Shelby Feniello

10-06-06U.S. Marines

Iraq war

Tom’s nephew and my cousin

God Bless America

Hope you enjoyed my slide show