Catherine Ferguson, is a Ohio native, and a student at Eastern Kentucky University. In this interview she describes her experiences in the US Army for four years. She discusses the reasons why she joined the Army and how the service is demanding.
Cadet Keith Lynch is a Louisville, KY native and a US Army Ranger, who did two tours securing the island of Grenada in 1983. In this interview, Lynch, discusses some of his attitudes and experiences relating to the Grenada invasion.
Mr. Shirley Castle is a native Kentuckian born in Lincoln County. He was a classmate of Robert R. Martin at Stanford High School. Mr. Castle served for a considerable amount of time in the United States Army. He has also served as Director of Personnel at Eastern Kentucky University.
In this interview, SFC Frederick Johnson, discusses his military background and his tour of duty in Vietnam. He describes his attitude toward the war, tactics, and his thoughts on South Vietnamese Army.
Sergeant First Class Bobby Whittenburg, is a teacher at EKU with the ROTC program. In this interview, he discusses some of his thoughts and experiences relating to the Vietnam War. He describes his tour of duties and why he reenlisted.
Master Sgt. James Williams, is a teacher at EKU with the ROTC program. In this interview he discusses some of his thoughts and experiences relating to the Vietnam War. He describes how and why he was changed by Vietnam.
In this interview, Ralph McClanahan discusses various topics from his military service to owning a movie theater. He comments extensively on how he got interested in politics, his two terms in the Kentucky State Legislature, and his election campaign for County Judge. He also comments on the Judicial Referendum, gubernatorial races, and the dire…
In this interview, Gene Allen, a Morgan County native, discusses his family, education, military service, and public service career, which consisted of terms as both a County Judge and County Judge Executive. Other interview topics cover the Judicial Referendum, why he entered into politics, and needs of county, which include, among other things, a…
R. R. Thomas, a Hardin County native, discusses his military service record, education, and public service career, which began with a 8 year stint as County Clerk and culminated in a successful County Judge election in 1970. He comments on his accomplishments since 1970, how the county was run in the past, the KY Fiscal Court, and the major…
In this interview, Nancy Botts discusses Barren County and the life and public service career of her boss, County Judge Executive Dale Burchett. She comments on Burchett's background and the issues the county faces, such as problems with the ambulance service, and fire and roads departments, the lack of a housing program and the pains of county…
In this interview, Mr. Luke Keith, publisher of the Sentinel Echo, discusses his background, early life, and his role as the publisher of the Sentinel Echo. He is the husband to Margaret Keith.
J.W. "Spider" Thurman was born in 1917 in Rhea County, Tennessee. He moved to Benham, a coal mining camp in Harlan County, Kentucky. In this interview, he recalls his military experiences and his duties as a physical education officer in the Air Force and US Army. He also reflects on his years spent in athletics in Kentucky and his job at EKU. He…
Henry Franklin Pryse, a Kentucky native, served as the Director of Community School Relations and the Placement Director at EKU. In this interview, he recalls his early life, education, and US Army and Air Force service record. He also discusses his interests in sports and his professional baseball career, which spanned from 1939 to 1948.
Donald Smith is a veteran of World War II and the Vietnam conflict. He was commissioned in the US Army and retired in 1964 with the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Military Police Corps. He obtained bachelor's and master's degrees from EKU and became the Registrar in 1976. He retired from EKU in 1985. This interview is a survey of his military…
Fred E. Darling was an EKU faculty member, track coach, supervisor of the athletic tower, assistant dean of men, and the intermural sports director. In this interview, Darling details his career and the reason why he voluntarily ended his coaching position to devote himself to teaching full time.
In this interview, Roy Camic, Superintendent of Boyle County Schools, discusses his personal and educational background, his military service, and positions held prior to becoming Superintendent. He also comments on his reasons for wanting to become super
In this interview, Vernon Miniard, Superintendent of the Monticello School System, discusses his family and background, his time working for Blue Diamond Coal Co., as well as his time in the military and education. He also discusses school boards, problem
In this interview, Dr. Jack Fletcher gives an account of his education, early life, and family background. He also discusses his military experience, work experience and graduate school. Fletcher also discusses the early days of the Planetarium, which faced early problems with an electronics company and a lack of support from President Funderburk.
In this interview Dr. Charles Whitlock discusses his experiences on EKU campus, first as a student and later under various positions he held after he served in the Army. He discusses his opinions of presidents and the traits of a good college president.
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.
William Kenneth McCarty is a native of Henry County, KY. He attended EKU and became a teacher at Sulphur Elementary School. He attended UK to receive a Master's degree in Education Administration. In this interview he discusses campus life and athletics, and describes how EKU helped him prepare for teaching.
Ron Marionneaux was born in Monroe, Louisiana. After attending Louisiana Tech, Dr. Marionneaux joined the Army. He returned to college at Northeast Louisiana State College and completed his PhD at Indiana University in 1970. In this interview, he talks about the accidental meeting by the incoming chair of the Geography Department at EKU and being…
Robert McKinney was born in Hart County, Kentucky. He joined the Army after high school and upon being discharged he was hired by the Louisville Police Department. He would later join the State Police force before coming to EKU to help start the Law Enforcement Training Program. In this interview, McKinney describes working as a police officer and…
John Denton is a native of Cumberland County, TN. He attended University of Tennessee at 16 years old. In this interview Denton describes his college career and the ROTC experience. He joined the Army after obtaining his master's degree and served in the Vietnam war.
Joyce Smith covers her life up until her time in the military. She discusses her relationship with her mother and father and how it differed growing up, when compared to today. She talks about her life in the Army and how it shaped her into who she is today, as well as provided her with her beautiful children. Finally, she discusses why she would…
John E. Owens details his early life, his decision to enlist in the Army, and his choice to transfer to the National Gruard after 9/11. Owens shares interesting stories from basic training and his deployment to Iraq. Interview conversations also include comments on being an authority figure during conflict, the weight of holding the lives of men in…
James Wooley discusses his time in the service, adjusting to military life, Veterans Adminstration healthcare, veteran reintegration, as well as the challenges that Veterans face with pharmaceutical abuse and addiction.
Tabatha Flynn details her childhood in a small town and her choice to enlist in the Army. In particular, Flynn comments on basic training, her combat medic experiences, and the moral and mental struggles of combat. Flynn also discusses her return to civilian life, starting a family, and her major take aways from military service.
Kyle Hubbs discusses his choice to enlist in the Army, his time and his experiences during his time in service, the life lessons he took from his enlistment, and the things about the military that he misses. (Interview missing)
Glenn Rogers discusses his experiences with being drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. In particular, Rogers comments on being injured, his experiences with Agent Orange, as well as his expereinces as a Prisoner of War and the effects it had on him after he returned home.
White Daniel discusses his time in the miltary, and the return to civilian life. In particular, Daniel comments on his choice to enlist rather than be drafted, his postion in personel management, his transition back home, and his opinions on how the Vietnam War has been protrayed.
Ralph Dinn details his experiences in the United States Army. In particular, he discusses his basic training experiences, the skills he was taught, coping with homesickness, his involvement in the VFW and the American Legion and the good they do for Veterans.
David R. Vickers details his childhood and his reasons for enlisting in the Army. In particular, Vickers comments on his decison to enlist, his work in the EKU ROTC program, being stationed in Vietnam, and what it was like to be in the military during the Cold War. He also discusses how his faith was a factor in his war experiences and details how…
Jesse D. Allen discusses growing up around the military, his decision to join the Army and his experiences while enlisted. In particular, Allen details his time in the Middle East while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Allen discusses the good and bad expereinces of war, the scars he brought home with him, and how he has worked to live with…
Timothy R. Tillett details his time in the Army National Guard. In particular, Tillett comments on his time in Iraq, his experiences as a transport driver, and the ways his views on the military and war changed over time.
R.D. Whitaker discusses his childhood and his experiences during the Vietnam War. In particular, Whitaker comments on his family, being drafted, how his faith helped him through battle training, his eventual position as rifleman, the terrible food, the reasons his re-enlistmentment was denied, and how he lives with PTSD. Whitaker also shares his…
Sargeant Christopher Petzke discusses his experiences in the United States Army. In particular, Petzke comments on his deployment to Iraq, his reasons for enlisting, and how he juggles the military and a family of nine.
Matthew Kenney details his childhood and his time in the United States Army. In particular, Kenney discusses his childhood mentors, enlisting, basic training in Oklahoma, being stationed in Djibouti, the friendships he made, and how the men would pass the downtime. Kenney concludes with his thoughts on reintergrating after a deployment.
Amanda Cummins discusses her time in the United States Army from the perpective of being female. In particular, Cummins, who is married to a Sailor, discusses juggling family life and solidering, her Afghanistan deployment, coping with life after deployment, and her views on how Veterans are treated.
PFC Eric Alexander Poynter recounts his time in the United States Army. In particular, Poynter comments on his time in basic training and the friendships he developed while enlisted. He also shares his advice for those who are currently thinking about joining the Armed Forces.
Ret. Lt. Col. Randy Singleton details is 36 year career in the United States Army. In particular, Singleton details his reasons for enlisting, the many places he visited, working with NATO forces during the Cold War, living away from his family, the people he served with, and his return to civilian life once he retired.
Danny Cline discusses his time in the Army during Vietnam. In particular, Cline comments on being drafted, going to boot camp, being shipped to Vietnam, trying to handle the stress of being in a combat zone, the process of desensitization in a war zone, and the reception he received when he returned home.
Jeffrey Lynes details is life from childhood to his military career. In particular, Lynes comments on his mentors, the role religion has played in his life, his decision to attend West Point, life at West Point, and the Army Aviation Branch. Lynes also details the ins and outs of having to stay calm under fire, what its like to be a helicopter…
