Face of Defense: Vietnam Veteran Re-enlists in Iraq

Face of Defence ^

[SandRat]

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ EAST, Iraq, July 23, 2009 – Army Sgt. 1st Class Hershel L. Mayfield is a Vietnam veteran with 39 years of service. But when he re-enlisted here earlier this month, his mind was on the future and the young people he serves with.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Hershel Mayfield, right, receives his re-enlistment certificate from Army Capt. Irvin Morris at Contingency Operating Site Marez East, Iraq, July 7, 2009. Mayfield has served 39 years in the Army, including 37 with the 158th Maintenance Company of the Alabama Army National Guard. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Martonio Patterson  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

The Tallassee, Ala., native has served 37 years with the 158th Maintenance Company of the Alabama Army National Guard. He recently decided it was time to continue to serve his country for two more years.

"Everything I do today is done with the next generation in mind and how I can influence them to do the same for their nation," Mayfield said.

After serving on active duty in the Army for two years as an infantry soldier, Mayfield joined the Guard and reclassified as a light-wheel vehicle mechanic with a desire to continue serving his country. He said he appreciates the support he’s received throughout his military career from his wife of 30 years and his children.

"It is a way of life, and they've learned to live in it," he said, noting his family has dealt with his absence during three deployments and numerous training events. He was deployed to Vietnam in 1969, Kosovo in 1996, and to Mosul, Iraq, in 2008.

"I joined the military because the base was adjacent to my home, and in order to have freedom, someone has to do the job," he said. "It also provided me with benefits that no other civilian job has."

(From a 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command news release.)

[SandRat]

FR WAR NEWS!
If you would like to be added to / removed from FRWN,
please FReepmail Sandrat.

WARNING: FRWN can be an EXTREMELY HIGH-VOLUME PING LIST!!

[TheClintons-STILLAnti-American]

"in order to have freedom, someone has to do the job," he said. "

Thank God some guys still "get it".

[LibLieSlayer]

GOD bless him and ALL of our HEROES... and their FAMILIES!

LLS

[Bringbackthedraft]

It also provided me with benefits that no other civilian job has.” ..................................... Boy, does he got that right.

[oyez]

Where do we get such men? --RAdm. George Tarrant: The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954)

[Bringbackthedraft]

Hmmmmmmm? Served 37 years in the Guard, and has a total of 39 years. He did 2 years in the Army before? Who does 2 years in the Army other than the draftee? They weren’t worthless, there are many more that joined the Reserves and the Guards after they did their 2 year tour and retired with 20+ years. Most of my Officers and Senior NCOs were prior service and former draftees. They were the ones who stuck it out after the draft ended. About 95% of the NG’s and USAR’s were gone forever after their 5-6 yr. service.

[magslinger]

I got tired just reading about this and unless he enlisted before the age of 15, he has to have a few years on me. My hat is off to you, Sgt. 1st Class Hershel L. Mayfield!

[BykrBayb]

Men such as these are what make (and keep) America the greatest nation on earth.