As we observe Veterans Day, the Eccles School wants to thank to every man and woman who has served in the Armed Forces. We appreciate their sacrifice and respect them for protecting our nation.
Four veterans work for the Eccles School, and this Veterans Day, we wanted to highlight and thank them for their service.
David Blackburn
Director of Information Technology
Armed Service
U.S. Marine Corps
Rank
Sergeant
Service Dates
1983-1987 Active USMC
1987-1989 USMC Reserve
Medals Earned
USMC Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon
What are you most proud of from your time in the service?
I am most proud simply that I served.
Mikel Brownie
Director of Technical and Trades
Armed Service
U.S. Air Force / Air National Guard
Rank
Staff Sergeant. I was an Avionics Specialist on C-130 Hercules aircraft, HH-3 Jolly Green Giant helicopters, and HH-60 Pavehawk helicopters.
Service Dates
1983-1989
Medals Earned
Basic Aircraft and Munitions Maintenance Badge, Basic Military Training Ribbon, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Citation
What are you most proud of from your time in the service?
Other than having served? My squadron was the 129th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron, a combat rescue squadron. We rescued military personnel that needed rescuing during war, usually downed pilots, but we didn’t really discriminate between services. They’d call, we’d come get them.
The best part was we had a peacetime mission also. We rescued people stranded at sea, where we assisted the Coast Guard, or in the mountains east of the bay area. We covered an area from the Mexico border on the South to the Oregon border on the North to the Sierra Nevada on the East, and as far out into the Pacific Ocean as we needed to go. It was a great mission being able to help those in distress.
Dale Frost
IT Helpdesk Technician
Armed Service
U.S. Navy
Rank
E-5
Service Dates
July 2003 – July 2012
Medals received
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
What are you most proud of from your time in the service?
All the great people I was able to serve with.
James Houchins
Office Support Specialist
Armed Service
U.S. Army
Rank
Sergeant
Service Dates
2001-2007 Active U.S. army
2011-2014 National Guard
Medals Earned
Iraq Campaign Medal, two Good Conduct Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for Enduring Freedom, National Defense Service Medal, U.S. Army Excellence-in-Competition Rifle Badge, Army Service Ribbon
What are you most proud of from your time in the service?
I am most proud of having had the opportunity to serve my country.