My father enlisted in the Air Force in 1963 then earned his Commission and Navigator wings in 1965. He assisted in the development and served as initial cadre for the gunship program and subsequently flew 138 combat missions, earning 11 Distinguished Flying Cross medals in Vietnam. He retired after 21 years at Hurlburt Field Fl. ALS struck 12 years ago, cutting short his career as a high school teacher, and he and his wife of 43 years have valiantly struggled against this disease ever since. Together they've been able to see their children marry and start happy families of their own.