ARMYHarvey Eugene AdrianBranch: Army Rank upon Discharge: FP4Years Served: 1965 – 1968Military Specialty: Military PoliceForeign Countries Stationed/Served: Germany and ItalyHighlights of Service: Served in the Air Force Reserves from 1987 to 1991 and also the National Guard with a combined total of 13 years and 10 months of service.Additional Information: Deceased
“Neither rich nor poor, in a ‘government by the people,’ the right to vote is not determined by socio-economic class. Choosing not to vote, silences your voice. Your voice matters. Your vote matters.”
ARMYJohn Joseph AmatoBranch: U.S. Army
Rank upon Discharge: Corporal
Years Served: 1950-1953
Military Specialty: Construction Engineer, Medic.
Medals, Awards, Honors: W.W. II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal(3 Bronze Stars), Good Conduct Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation.
Foreign Countries Stationed/Served: Japan, Korea, Philippines, Guam, Saipan, Tinian.
Highlights of Service: Korean War
“I'm eternally grateful to men and women who fought to secure and protect our right to vote. In their honor, I encourage all eligible citizens to perform their civic duty and vote whenever possible.”
ARMYWilliam Hart AmbroseBranch: Army
Rank upon Discharge: Specialist
Years Served: 1943-1946
Foreign Countries Stationed/Served: Germany
Highlights of Service: Participated during the Battle of the Bulge.
Additional Information: Deceased
“It’s important to be involved in voting – those decisions made at the ballot box select our elected officials that determine the direction taken in our country, our state and
our county.”
ARMYEarl ArnettBranch: ArmyRank upon Discharge: Specialist 5Years Served: 1966-1968Military Specialty: MedicMedals, Awards, Honors: National Defense Ribbon, Expert Medical QualifyingForeign Countries Stationed/Served: Germany Highlights of Service: Platoon Leader Medical Squad
ARMYRobert Edward BlairBranch: Army Rank upon Discharge: Specialist Years Served: 2004-2006Medals, Awards, Honors: Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation with Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Rifleman’s Achievement Award, Good Citizen Medal, and over 20 coins for Meritious actions and individual accomplishments.Foreign Countries Served: IraqAdditional Information: KIA Baghdad, Iraq 5/25/2006
ARMYSam BridgesBranch: Army Rank upon Discharge: SergeantYears Served: 1968-1970Military Specialty: InfantryMedals, Awards, Honors: Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Vietnam Campaign w/Device, Vietnam Service w/1 Silver Star, Vietnam gallantry Cross w/Palm Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation, Good Conduct, National Defense, and Honorary Discharge.Foreign Countries Stationed/Served: Vietnam
“It is a right given to use that we have fought to maintain.”
ARMYMannie BurnettBranch: Army
Rank upon Discharge: Technician Fifth Grade
Years Served: 1942-1945
Military Specialty: Auto Mech 014
Medals, Awards, Honors: Good conduct medals. ATO medal, EAMETO medal, World War II Victory medal.
Foreign Countries Stationed/Served: Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland & Central Europe.
Highlights of Service: Highlight of my service was defending my country and returning back alive.
“It's the American way to get your voice heard. Get involved and attend town hall meetings to learn about the candidates/referendums.”
ARMYRobert BurnsBranch: Army
Rank upon Discharge: Sergeant
Years Served: 2009-Present
Military Specialty: 12N Heavy Construction Equipment
Medals, Awards, Honors: Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge, 6 Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Cluster, Star Global War on Terrorism Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Medal, NATO Ribbon, Expert Marksmanship Badge, Driver Wheeled and Tracked Badge.
Foreign Countries Stationed/Served: Afghanistan
Highlights of Service: Won Soldier of the Month board for his unit twice, and Soldier of the Quarter once. Currently a squad leader.
Additional Information: Served Active Duty for 6 years, now a civilian firefighter and EMT, as well as an Army Reservist.
“Voting is essential to keeping our country a true democracy. The will of the majority dictates in what direction our country will go. It is therefore critical to exercise your right to vote.”
“I did not serve nor did our Forefathers to be silenced.”
ARMYMike CrimiBranch: Army
Rank upon Discharge: Specialist SPC
Years Served: 1986-1989
Military Specialty: Combat Medic 91 A
Medals, Awards, Honors: Army Commendation Medal (ARIOM), Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB), Army Good Conduct Medal, Expert M16A1, Distinguished Honor Graduate.
Highlights of Service: National Training Center (NTC)
“It gives you a right to give your opinion – don’t vote – don’t get an opinion.”
ARMYKim DavisBranch: U.S. Army
Rank upon Discharge: E-3/PFC
Years Served: 1979-1981
Military Specialty: 05 Charlie
ARMYSteven M. GoumasBranch: Army
Rank upon Discharge: E-4
Years Served: 1970-1972 active
Military Specialty: Unit Armorer
“Individuals voting will maintain and sustain Americas form of government.”
ARMYColonel Alice M. GritsavageBranch: Army Nurse Corps, reserves Rank upon Discharge: ColonelYears Served: 1942-1962Military Specialty: Nursing supervisorMedals, Awards, Honors: Bronze Star, 2 Legions of Merit, Italian Cross of Merit, Commendation Ribbon, American Theater Medal, European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Korean Campaign Medal, United Nations Medal, National Defense Service Medal.Foreign Countries Served: Africa, Italy, France, Japan, and Korea.Highlights of Service: Served as chief nurse of the far east command during the Korean War, working directly under General McArthur. She instituted the commissioning of male nurses as officers.Additional Information: Deceased. The Ocala chapter of the Korean War Veterans is named after her: "The Col. Alice Gritsavage Chapter of Korean War Veterans".
“Our veterans should be honored for the service they have given their country. The military nurses are not often mentioned for their sacrifices and untiring service.”
“Voting is important because it allows you the choice of people in office.”
ARMY
Branch: Army
Rank upon Discharge: E-4
Years Served: 1983-1986
Military Specialty: Combat Engineer, Track Vehicle Driver
Foreign Countries Stationed/Served: Germany
Highlights of Service: Basic Training
Louis Hughes
“By visiting other countries is a way to exhibit our freedom.”
ARMY
Branch: Army
Rank upon Discharge: SGT. E-5
Years Served: 1965-1967
Military Specialty: Heavy Artillery
Medals, Awards, Honors: 1966 SASCOM Soldier of the Quarter for all of Europe.
Foreign Countries Stationed/Served: Nienburg, Germany and Corlu, Turkey.
Gary Linn
ARMY
Branch: Army and Army Reserve
Rank upon Discharge: Private First Sergeant Class
Years Served: 1972-74, 1974-80
Military Specialty: Rifle Marksman
Medals, Awards, Honors: Rifle Marksman, 81st Infantry Division, 81st Army Regional Support Command.
Foreign Countries Stationed/Served: Germany
Additional Information: Deceased
Clarence Mackey Sr.
“Neither rich nor poor, in a ‘government by the people,’ the right to vote is not determined by socio-economic class. Choosing not to vote, silences your voice. Your voice matters. Your vote matters.”
ARMYLouisito J. OcampoBranch: U.S. Army
Rank upon Discharge: Major
Years Served: 22.6 years
Military Specialty: Armor, Information Operations, and Electronic Warfare.
Medals, Awards, Honors: Bronze Star (2), Meritorious Service Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal (4), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon (5), NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge.
Foreign Countries Stationed/Served: Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Korea, Japan, Panama.
Highlights of Service: Served 22.6 years with Honorable Discharge. I served most of my career deployed overseas.
ARMY
Branch: ArmyRank upon Discharge: Specialist 5Years Served: 1968-1971Military Specialty: Combat Medic-Medical SpecialistMedals, Awards, Honors: Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, M-14 and M-16 qualification badges.Foreign Countries Stationed/Served: Nuremberg and Ansbach GermanyHighlights of Service: Working in the US Army Medical field gave me many opportunities to expand to X-ray, Labs, CMS, Air Evac Medic, Medical Records, Ambulance driver, Treatment room, Immunization Clinic, Supply and more.Additional Information: My father was at Pearl Harbor Dec. 7th 1941 he served 22 years. My brother served 20 years in the Navy. We all went into government service after the military serving the country for over 100 years
Donald E. Poulin
“Voting lets me select the candidates that will lead my State and the Country in the direction I want it to go. If you don’t vote, don't complain about the results.”
ARMYThomas E. RushBranch: Army
Rank upon Discharge: SFC
Years Served: 1985-2006
Military Specialty: Airborne Infantryman 11B5W
Medals, Awards, Honors: Master Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, MSM, ARCOM, AAM, and others.
Foreign Countries Stationed/Served: Iraq, Kosovo, Korea, Egypt, and others.
Highlights of Service: 16 of 20 as an Infantryman in the 82nd Airborne. Multiple combat deployments and more. Retired having been a Platoon Sergeant, senior instructor and Company XO.
“If you don’t vote you can’t complain.”
ARMYEdward W. RenaudBranch: Army
Rank upon Discharge: Sergeant
Years Served: 1943 - 1945
Military Specialty: Cook
Medals, Awards, Honors: European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, American Service Medal, & Good Conduct Medal.
Foreign Countries Stationed/Served: Ardennes, Central Europe, Normandy, Northern France & Rhineland.
Additional Information: Deceased
“Voting is the only way that this country can continue to be free. You cannot complain about the way the country is run if you don't participate in the process.”
ARMYAlvin John Simpkins Jr.Branch: Army/Air Corp
Rank upon Discharge: Sergeant
Years Served: 1944-1949
Military Specialty: Ball Turret Gunner/Mechanic
Foreign Countries Stationed/Served: Germany
Highlights of Service: Served in the Army Air Corp and was discharged and re-enlisted on the same day to the Army, due to the Air Corp being disbanded.
Additional Information: Deceased 12/23/2017, 91 years old.
ARMY
Branch: Army
Rank upon Discharge: PFC
Years Served: 1953-1955
Military Specialty: Paratrooper
Foreign Countries Stationed/Served: Korea
Edsil D. Turner
ARMY
Richard ValentinoBranch: U.S. Army
Rank upon Discharge: E5 Specialist
Years Served: 1963-1966 Active
Military Specialty: Combat Engineer
Medals, Awards, Honors: Honorable Discharge, Army Good Conduct Ribbon, Defense Service Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon.
Highlights of Service: Ability to defend our country overseas and the time he spent working in the Pentagon prior to his discharge.
“We not only have the right to vote, but it is also our duty to vote in EVERY Election.”
ARMY
Mark L. WadeBranch: Army National Guard
Rank upon Discharge: Specialist 4, E-4
Years Served: 1976 – 1982
Military Specialty: Secret security clearance. Responsible for typing various sensitive documents, forms, radio passwords for training exercises to be used in the field.
Medals, Awards, Honors: Expert Rifle Badge, Sharpshooter Grenade Badge, Recruiter Badge. 5 year Service Ribbon with 1 Oak Cluster.
“For me it's a privilege to be able to exercise my right to vote, be it county, state, or Presidential Election...to let my voice be heard. I would tell others the same and your vote could be the deciding factor if you person wins or loses.”
ARMYWillie David WashingtonBranch: ArmyRank upon Discharge: Sergeant Major (E9)Years Served: 1962-1992Military Specialty: 11B4P, 84G, 18Z5PVW9Medals, Awards, Honors: Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal w/V device (2 Awards), Meritorious Service Medal (2 Awards), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/V device (2 Awards), Army Achievement medal, Good Conduct Medal (8 Awards), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Commander’s Award for Public Service, Presidential Unit Citation, Army Valorous Unit Award, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation, Combat Infantryman Badge, Halo Badge, Scuba Badge, Parachutist Badge, Korean Parachutist Badge, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab.Foreign Countries Stationed/Served: Dominican Republic, Vietnam (2 tours), Panama, Honduras, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts.Highlights of Military Service: Completion of the Sergeants Major Academy
“Voting is a constitutional right and a privilege that I, as an American, have. If you don’t exercise your right to vote, don’t complain about who is running the country.”