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JENIFER LEIGH VAN VLECK

Grandson Arranges Flyover for Grandfather’s Air Force Funeral Service

By Kevin M. Hymel on 12/22/2025

During the summer of 2021, 90-year-old retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Richard “G.P.” Erb bonded with his grandson, U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Nicholas Erb, who stayed at his home in Alexandria, Virginia. While driving Nicholas to his internship at the Pentagon, he opened up about his own Air Force career. “All I knew growing up was that my grandpa was an engineer and that he worked on the F-15 Eagle fighter,” Nicholas, now a captain, said. “Then, that summer, he started sharing all these stories.” 

Kevin M. Hymel

Soldier Who Survived Two IED Blasts in Afghanistan Advocated for Wounded Veterans

By Kevin M. Hymel on 12/22/2025

U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Verardo wanted to return to the fight. After sustaining wounds from an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Afghanistan on April 10, 2010, the 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper refused to be medically evacuated and asked to remain with his unit. Two weeks later, while Verardo was on a patrol, a second IED explosion left him with catastrophic injuries. As a helicopter airlifted him off the battlefield, everyone in his unit thought they would never see him again. 

Kevin M. Hymel

A Daughter's Quest: “Bittersweet” Return of World War II Soldier

By Kevin M. Hymel on 12/8/2025

U.S. Army Tech Sgt. Joseph Ruffin Moore died in one of World War II’s bloodiest campaigns. His unit, the 8th Infantry Division, had been fighting in Germany’s Hürtgen Forest for almost a month when he was killed near the town of Kleinhau on Dec. 11, 1944, at the age of 28. His remains were never identified during the war.  

Kevin M. Hymel

From Vietnam Veteran to Marine Historian

By Kevin M. Hymel on 12/4/2025

Charles R. “Rich” Smith served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, but spent most of his professional career as a civilian historian for the U.S. Marine Corps. Working for the U.S. Marine Corps History and Museums Division, he wrote numerous books and articles, including “Marines in the Revolution: A History of the Continental Marines in the American Revolution 1775-1783.” 

Kevin M. Hymel

Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Founded “Duck Squad” of Traveling Friends

By Kevin M. Hymel on 11/17/2025

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Troy Lamarlowe Hall II considered the Air Force one big family. As a non-commissioned officer (NCO) working in fuels and training in battle management operations, he traveled the globe, making friends everywhere he went. He even created the Duck Squad, a group of 20 Air Force and civilian friends who traveled together internationally each year. Squad members wore yellow duck lapel pins, and some, including Hall, sported duck tattoos.  

 

Kevin M. Hymel

9/11 Pentagon Survivor Dedicated 40 Years to Government Service

By Kevin M. Hymel on 10/17/2025

On Sept. 11, 2001, Lois Stevens was attending a meeting on the second floor of the Pentagon’s outer ring when the lights went out and the room buckled. Although she did not realize it at the time, the hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 had just crashed into the building a short distance from her conference room. But Stevens made it to safety with the help of her colleague, Army Lt. Col. Marylin Wills and other survivors. 

Kevin M. Hymel

“I’ve Waited 80 Years for This Closure:” Family Mourns World War II POW Identified in 2024

By Kevin M. Hymel on 10/17/2025

In the spring of 1945, Betty Buttala was just 8 years old when her uncle, without explanation, picked her and one of her brothers up early from school and drove them to their Chicago home in silence. When Betty entered the house, she found her mother on the floor, crying. Her mother had just received a telegram stating that her son Justice, a prisoner of war in Japan, had been killed in a prison fire. One by one, Betty’s five other siblings arrived home to learn their brother’s fate. “It was the saddest day of our lives to see our mother crying,” Betty said. “It was just a crying day.” 

Kevin M. Hymel

From Vietnam Jungles to Keeping the World on Time: Honoring Marine Corps Capt. Frederick W. Smith

By Kevin M. Hymel on 10/10/2025

Before Frederick W. Smith founded Federal Express (later renamed FedEx) in 1973, he was leading Marines through the jungles and cities of Vietnam and flying over the country as a forward air controller. Later in his life, he would attribute his leadership style to his service in the Marine Corps.

Kevin M. Hymel

From German Skies to Arlington, 80 Years Later

By Kevin M. Hymel on 10/6/2025

“Fighters at 6:00 high!” Tech. Sgt. Lynn M. Farnham shouted to the nine men in his B-17 “Flying Fortress” bomber over Germany. Those were the last words they heard from the 20-year-old top turret gunner/engineer. As he alerted the crew, shrapnel from a 20mm shell tore into his legs. Soon, the aircraft’s pilot gave the bail-out order and Farnham was last seen slumped behind Lt. Bill May’s co-pilot seat. May had also been killed. The other eight men successfully escaped the stricken bomber before it crashed outside of Langquaid, Germany. 

Kevin M. Hymel

The Call to Serve: An Army MP Honors the Unknown Soldiers

By Kevin M. Hymel on 10/3/2025

Sgt. Kaylee Johnston wanted to join the Army when she was in middle school, but she worried about her parents’ reaction. Growing up, she was captivated by stories of courage and heroism, particularly in war films; however, she decided to attend college instead. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and she was sent home from school, she decided it was her chance to join. Within five years of joining the Army, Johnston found herself guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Kevin M. Hymel