Brian w. Gayheart discusses his time in the United States Army. In particular, Gayheart details his experiences during deployments and combat missions, shares his thoughts on being a crew member on a M1A1 tank, and, he traces his eventual path to higher education.
Christopher Rechtin details his time in the United States Army and his return to civilian life. In particular, Rechtin comments on his choice to enlist, his time during basic training, and his feelings before deployment. He also shares his experiences during his deployment to Iraq, and comments on how the war changed him. He also discusses his easy…
Dylan Adams discusses his time in the United States Coast Guard. In particular, Adams comments on his training, the involved travel, and his assignments in both Iowa and Maryland.
Manchester native Elbert Hudson graduated joined the Navy as a machinist during World War II. In this interview, Mr. Hudson describes his experience in the Navy, including the sinking of his ship off Okinawa. After the service he began attending EKU as a World War II veteran. He recounts campus life and Richmond as they were when he enrolled in the…
Guy Strong was born in Irvine, Kentucky, where he played multiple sports growing up. He attended the University of Kentucky from 1948-1951, on a basketball scholarship, where he found himself on a national championship team. He transferred to EKU for one year before entering the military and serving in the Korean War. He then returned to EKU on the…
John Plecity Sr. shares stories from his service during World War II. In particular, Plecity discusses joining the war in 1943, why he choose the Army Air Corps, his military training, and how it was luck that he was sent to Germany rather than Japan. He recounts his time on reconnaissance missions, the struggles of fighting in the desert, his…
Jon Ralls details his childhood, attending basic training in Illinois, survival training, the loneliness of deployment, his thoughts on the VA, and his time as a firefighter.
Katie Gilley discusses her life in the Marine Corps, her basic training experiences, and her work in broadcasting and print media. In particular, Gilley discusses the people she met while working in Vietnam, female Marines, discrimination in the Marines, and life after the military. She also comments on the GI Bill, starting a family, and shares…
Mike Embry was born in Louisville, but lived throughout Kentucky during his high school years. He attended Morehead State University, the University of Louisville, and was in the Air Force before he came to EKU in 1973. In this interview Mr. Embry discusses his time as a journalism student at EKU. He recalls professors and fellow students and his…
Nicole Keller details her time in the United States Navy. In particular, she discusses her decision to enlist on a whim, her reasons for choosing the Navy, her experiences in boot camp, the countries she visited, and life on a naval vessel. She also discusses her decision to leave service for the sake of her son and her use of the GI Bill to get…
Otis Bundy is a native of Kentucky and graduated from Clay County High School. Mr. Bundy went into the Army after high school and fought in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. He attended EKU on the GI Bill and majoring in agriculture. In his interview he talks about how he came to work on a farm and the changes in agriculture that he…
Talbert G. Turner discusses his choice to enlist in the United States Navy and the experiences that helped him transition back into civilian life. In particular, Turner shares his methods for staying calm under stress, the free time in the evenings that his postion granted him, his advice for people thinking of joining, and his thoughts on how the…
Tony Cox is a Madison County, KY native who attended EKU because it was close. In this interview he discusses campus life, being in a professional baseball contract, and his military and public education service. He teaches history at Madison Central and Madison Southern, and coaches.
