Veterans Day @ BAF

Photo By Bob Harrison | BAGRAM AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN (Nov. 11, 2016) - Michael Yambor speaks about experiences as a Veteran during the U.S. Forces Afghanistan Veterans Day celebration. Yambor is a Vietnam Veteran and was the guest of honor at the ceremony. He served as a UH-1 'Huey' door gunner in 1968 and 1969 and is the recipient of a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and an Army Commendation for Valor. Photo by Bob Harrison, U.S. Forces Afghanistan Public Affairs.  

AFGHANISTAN

11.11.2016

Story by Bob Harrison 

U.S. Forces Afghanistan

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN (Nov. 11, 2016) – With one minute of silence on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, the Bagram Airfield military and civilian community gathered to commemorate the 98th anniversary of Armistice Day and to celebrate our nation’s Veterans.

Maj. Gen. John C. Thomson III and Command Sgt. Maj. Maurice Jackson, Bagram Airfield commander and senior enlisted advisor, hosted a ceremony to honor and recognize the accomplishments of America’s Veterans.

Mr. Michael Yambor, a Vietnam Veteran, who served then with the 1st Cavalry Division, and a civilian contractor currently working on BAF, was the guest of honor.

“On this day the World War I battlefields of war torn Europe finally fell silent as four years of destruction came to an end,” said Thomson. “For this reason, the United States and many other nations honor their Veterans on this solemn day.”

“Unfortunately, World War I was not the war to end all wars,” he continued. “The past century has called upon military Veterans again and again to try and fill the need. Men and women continue to enlist to serve their country thereby keeping the gates of freedom open.”

“Thank you again for joining me today to honor their faithful service.”

“It’s been 51 years since the 1st CAV [Cavalry] deployed to Vietnam. Today we honor a Vietnam Veteran who continues to serve here today in Bagram,” said Thomson as he introduced Yambor.

“For those of us in the 1st CAV, we are doubly honored because you wore the 1st Cavalry Division patch.”

Yambor enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1967. He served two years in Vietnam as a UH-1 ‘Huey’ door gunner. He is the recipient of the Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, an Army Commendation Medal for Valor, and the Air Medal with 25 oak leaf clusters. He has worked as a contract plumber here at Bagram for the last several years.

“Fifty years ago I was just a kid from Pennsylvania. And maybe like many of you here today, torn between what I wanted to do, what I had to do and what I needed to do in a time of conflict,” said Yambor, “but something inside me told me to volunteer.”

“Like most old Soldiers, I could tell you about the good times and the bad. I could tell you about the mission we completed,” he continued. “But today is about the Veterans. Today is about the men beside me 50 years ago and the men and women here today in Afghanistan.”

“Though you may treat it lightly now – you will remember, and you will miss them when you go your separate ways. And you will long to reconnect with those who stood shoulder to shoulder with you, especially in a combat zone” Yambor added.

Thompson and Jackson accompanied Yambor, the oldest Veteran present, and PFC Sarah Reschke, youngest Soldier representing those currently serving, to cut the ceremony cake.

“Being a Veteran is something you should be proud of,” said Yambor. “Every Veteran before us has paved the way, now it is our turn to continue to honor their sacrifices.”

• Date Taken: 11.11.2016
• Date Posted: 11.11.2016 09:20
• Story ID: 214457
• Location: AF