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Harold Waldum
Father of Mike Waldum
Army, Sergeant; Air Force, Civilian (GS-14)
World War IIAwarded Silver Star for gallantry in action at Lorengau, Manus Island, when, from an exposed position on his craft, he delivered an accurate and prolonged fire on enemy combatants for the purpose of evacuating wounded men.
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Retired Col. Royce Priest
Grandfather of Brian Kendall
Air Force, World War II
Flew P-51 Mustang in European theater and shot down five enemy aircraft, becoming a flying ace. Received Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism after landing in enemy territory to rescue downed squadron commander. Retired as Colonel, 1968.
3 of 18
Retired Master Sgt. Robert Kendall
Father of Brian Kendall
Air Force, Vietnam
Twenty-one-year military career. Served in Vietnam during Tet Offensive (1968-69). Six years U.S. Thunderbirds (1972-78), where he received the Fitzgerald Trophy awarded to top noncommissioned officer of the year. Meritorious Service Medal.
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Retired Col. Patricia Priest
Mother of Brian Kendall
Air Force
Thirty-year military career. Awarded Legion of Merit for exceptional meritorious conduct. Retired as Colonel, 2002.
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Holland Langham
Cousin of Tammy DeNapoli (but like a brother)
Army, Corporal, Vietnam
President of his school’s National Honor Society and secretary of the band, Holland served in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, 503rd Infantry Regiment in Vietnam. Recipient of the Purple heart, he was killed in action in Binh Dinh Province after engaging in a firefight with enemy combatants while on night-time perimeter guard duty in May 1968. He was 18.
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Holland Langham Cont'd
Image of Holland Langham (back right) with his family before Vietnam deployment. A 5-year-old Tammy DeNapoli is sitting on his shoulder.
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Robert Montoya
Father of Stephen Montoya
Army, Corporal, Vietnam
Spent a year in Nha Trang, Vietnam, during Tet Offensive (1967 -68).
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Douglas J. Jenkins
Brother of Sharon Casseday
Navy, Petty Officer 3rd Class, Vietnam
Served as a radioman in Vietnam and cited for bravery after volunteering to be lowered into water from a helicopter to save a downed Navy pilot. After a two-hour search, both he and the pilot survived.
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Max Truesdell
Uncle of Sharon Casseday
Navy, Seaman, Korea
Two years Navy (1948-49) and six years Naval Reserves (1949-55). Served aboard USS Odax, a Tench-class submarine.
10 of 18
John O. Silvas
Grandfather of Craig Sylva
Army, Corporal, World War II
Was first gunner on a 57mm anti-tank gun in the 4th Armored Division of General Patton’s Third Army. Landed at Utah Beach a few weeks after D-Day. Wounded late 1944. Purple Heart.
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Ector S. Gleaves
Father of Spray Gleaves
Navy, WWII
Ector and both his brothers served in the Navy in the Pacific theater. A discovered war-time postcard to their mother from his brother, Eddie, simply said, “I’m OK.”
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Burrell Howell
Grandfather of Spray Gleaves
Army, WWI
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Edward Wilson Cowan
Father of Marion Knight
Navy, Seaman First Class, World War I
IInitially unable to enlist due to poor eyesight, a desire to serve had his well-connected father ensure he was able to join the Navy in the Pacific theater. Served 1945-46.
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L.C. Kirkpatrick
Father of Tammy DeNapoli
Navy, Petty Officer 3rd Class, World War II
Was 18 when he entered the Navy and served as a radarman.
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James DeHass
Partner of Tammy DeNapoli
Army, Captain, Desert Shield/Desert Storm
Paratroop Officer, XVIII Airborne Corps, Distinguished Military Graduate from Officer Candidate School.
16 of 18
Pat Sublett
Grandfather of Grace Behr
Army, Specialist
Served in the U.S. Army Electronic Proving Ground, which tests and evaluates new technologies for the Department of Defense.
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Richard Don Coan
Grandfather of Grace Behr
Army, First Lieutenant
Executive Officer, Howitzer Battery, San Marcos, Texas (1963-66). Awarded two Outstanding Soldier Awards
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Evan Ross McNeal
Cousin of Victoria Albrecht
Navy, Petty Officer 1st Class
Served as field medic for Marines.
If you've managed recently to pick up a copy of our magazine, you might notice our masthead (where all magazine employees and contributors are listed) contains staff responses to a question our creative and editorial teams hatch on a monthly basis. We do this so our readers can get to know the people behind the product. And, well, November's masthead might be the coolest thing we’ve done in the six years I’ve been at the magazine.
To honor our veterans and fallen servicemen and servicewomen, we asked for staff members to provide us with details and images of family members who had served or are currently serving in the armed forces. And, as expected, the responses were incredible. I heard stories of service, of heroes, and of sacrifice (all of which you can read in the slideshow above) that will stay with us for a very long time. As the son of two career military parents and the grandson of a career military grandfather, I never tire of saying thank you to all who serve this incredible nation.
And there is one specific story I want to point out.
I had everyone email me their images, info, and write-ups so I could cull through and edit them. When Tammy DeNapoli, one of our wonderful account executives, sent hers, I sent a quick response — something along the lines of, “Great! Thank you, Tammy!” I don’t recall the circumstances, but I clearly hadn’t read what she sent and, for whatever reason, was simply acknowledging receipt. A few days later, when I was organizing the emails from the staff, I saw that one of her cousins, Holland Langham, was killed in action in Vietnam at the age of 18. I can’t explain how I felt when I first read those words and when I looked at his picture, beyond saying that I’ve thought about it a lot since.
I emailed Tammy and apologized for my previous response. She was, of course, very understanding and offered a wonderful memory about Holland. She was young, only 6, when he died, but she remembers he would carry her on his shoulders, even when he was riding his bike. “I would be sitting on his shoulders as he peddled his bike. I can’t believe my mom let him do that, but he was always someone you could trust.”
Thank you for sharing, Tammy. And to all those who served or are currently serving, I think I speak for all of us at the magazine when I say thank you — the biggest thank you in the world, really.
