Arkansas WWII veteran, 99, had this to say to the younger generation A 99-year-old Arkansas World War II veteran who was presented with a series of medals this week has a bit of advice for the younger generation: “Stay in school,” and “Come out with the idea of serving people.” Sergeant First Class Thomas Franklin Vaughns – an airplane mechanic with the Tuskegee Airmen who also served in the Korean War – made the comments to Fox 16 on Wednesday following a ceremony in Pine Bluff honoring his military career. “Stay off drugs that’s number one. When you have an opportunity to go to school, stay in school,” he told the station. “And when you come out, come out with the idea of serving people.” Thomas Franklin Vaughns -- a Tuskegee Airman mechanic -- was presented with a series of medals this week for his military service, which included involvement in World War II and the Korean War. (KLRT) Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., was among the officials in attendance Wednesday to present medals to Vaughns. He received replacements of four medals he had lost – the Honorable Service Lapel Button, World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Army Medal and American Campaign Medal-World War II – and one had not gotten until this week: the National Defense Service Medal, for his involvement in the Korean War, according to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. "We all know about his great career in the military, going off at a young age to serve his country, willing to do whatever he was asked to do," the newspaper quoted Boozman as saying during the event. "Then he came home and, like the greatest generation, rebuilt the country." Vaughns told Fox 16 that his secret to living a long life is avoiding smoking and alcohol.
Folks that reach ages like him and older all have one thing in common. They’ve never ridden in a hot-air-balloon.
We need to listen to our old vets, they have seen and experienced so much. We can and should learn from them. The WWI vets are pretty much gone now, soon the WWII vets will all be gone too.
The problem with today's youth is that they do not know what War is. His advise will, I feel; fall on deaf ears. That said... What a wonderful role model he would be for our youth, if only they were listening.
only thing I reacted rather negatively to was the school part... our current public school system in most states and places seems bent on teaching hatred of America and what it has stood for in the past...
No smoking and drinking? next, he will mention no women! I don't know about this guy. Our schools are just indoctrination centers. I talk to high schoolers and college students and the lack of knowledge is scary. I bet the current history books are a hoot.
I bought a couple of items at an estate sale with the total coming to $13, I handed the young girl (high school age) at the check out desk a $20 bill. She took the bill and called for her Mother to come over.Mother showed up and I heard the young girl ask "How much do I give him back?" She couldn't even use the calculator on the desk in front of her. Sad, very sad. l
