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 129^th 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.