Our Military - Their Race Cars

JCChildress · 11-13-2017, 11:10 AM

I served four years in the Marine Corps. My dad is a Marine Corps, Vietnam Vet. My grandfather was a Marine also, as were all of my uncles but one. Several cousins also. The Marine Corps is a family tradition I suppose. I bracket raced for years, and have been building a Chevy II to run in SS/F. Its been a long process but should be out in 2018. I also worked for Sox & Martin on the Pro Stock truck team and helped Ronnie a good bit with match racing. I really enjoyed that and have been very blessed. My daily job is working at Kowalsky Racing Engines. Proud to have served this country and would do it again in a heartbeat. God Bless the USA

Greg Reimer 7376 · 11-13-2017, 11:42 AM

Thank all of you very much. Sounds like the military was a family tradition for many of you! I signed up for the draft when I turned 18 in 1972, was attending Pasadena City College and was closed 1-H, then a standby draft lottery was taken the following year, and I was #22. I immediately got new draft cards recalled as 1-A, but the draft expired shortly afterwards. You guys that went and served are a real special group of great Americans. The stories drag racers tell are pretty amazing, just add military stories and the material for discussion increases immensely. Thanks again for your service.

Ron Ortiz · 11-13-2017, 04:52 PM

I enlisted in the Air Force in 1966 upon graduation from Carol City High School in Miami FL. Wanted to join to see aircraft. Went to basic training in Lackland TX. Then to a Navy base in Oxnard CA, then an Army base in Pensacola FL and off to beautiful Viet Nam. Was attached to 7th Pacific Air Force, and visited Pleiku, Bien Hoa and Cam Rahn Bay, but was never on an Air Force base, never got to see planes except in the sky. Went back to the states and was told to wait for my discharge papers at home as they had no need for equipment operators at Homestead Air Force base. Several months later received my discharge papers. Still, no planes. Have no regrets serving my country, would do it again.

Other racers that I know who served, Daran & Daryl Summerton, Bruce Fulper and Bill Grubbs, know there are many more. Thank you all for your service.

Ron Ortiz · 11-13-2017, 05:55 PM

I would also like to add, if any young man or woman comes out of high school and is really not sure of what to do with their lives, the military is a sure bet to be a better person overall. It is real, growing up fast, learning to take care of yourself and others, to take responsibility, to learn, to be a better person mentally and physically. It is an experience that changes you for the better. I encourage young people to join and be a big part in America's future. It is an adventure.

Ron Ortiz
U/SA proud to be an American.

Lew Silverman · 11-14-2017, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Ortiz

I would also like to add, if any young man or woman comes out of high school and is really not sure of what to do with their lives, the military is a sure bet to be a better person overall. It is real, growing up fast, learning to take care of yourself and others, to take responsibility, to learn, to be a better person mentally and physically. It is an experience that changes you for the better. I encourage young people to join and be a big part in America's future. It is an adventure.

Ron Ortiz
U/SA proud to be an American.

I couldn't agree with you more, Ron! It's been my opinion for many years that some program of "compulsory National Service" be started and properly funded to allow ALL young people to get involved supporting our democracy. Everyone should be able to serve in some capacity; the Military, if they are qualified, for a short period of training and service would be a good place to start, as would any number of National and local service organizations that are dedicated to making America a better place to live. Creating a pool of pre-trained personnel would also be beneficial in any National emergency, and giving EVERYONE an opportunity to "share the load" would allow more people to understand what sacrifices a small group of our fellow American's now make for the rest of us.

It was an honor and a privilege to wear the uniform of our great military and serve our Nation. I followed in my Father's footsteps and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in July, 1967. After 6-years and a short break-in-service, I joined an Army Reserve field artillery battalion in 1975 as a Track Vehicle Mechanic. I retired from Active Duty as a Transportation First Sergeant (E8) in 2008, with 38 years time-in-service. My race car commemorates that service, and honors the countless men and women who, past, present and in the future will be there when our Nation calls. "SPEARHEAD!".

Lee Valentine · 11-14-2017, 06:28 PM

I served in the Army 1966-68. As Ron Ortiz posted the military is a great career for young people, my daughter joined the Air Force the day after she graduated high school and served 23 years retiring as a master Sargent. She is only 43 and I m still working.

SSDiv6 · 11-15-2017, 07:24 PM

I would like to add Pete Kost who still races in Division 6 Stock Eliminator.

Pete served in the US Army during WW II. He was member of the predecessor units to the US Army Special Forces hunting high value targets in Europe.

He was also a member of the US Army Boxing team that toured throughout the world entertaining the troops, and was the undefeated champ in his weight.

11-13-2017, 11:10 AM	#1
JCChildress Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 204 Likes: 8 Liked 11 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Our Military - Their Race Cars I served four years in the Marine Corps. My dad is a Marine Corps, Vietnam Vet. My grandfather was a Marine also, as were all of my uncles but one. Several cousins also. The Marine Corps is a family tradition I suppose. I bracket raced for years, and have been building a Chevy II to run in SS/F. Its been a long process but should be out in 2018. I also worked for Sox & Martin on the Pro Stock truck team and helped Ronnie a good bit with match racing. I really enjoyed that and have been very blessed. My daily job is working at Kowalsky Racing Engines. Proud to have served this country and would do it again in a heartbeat. God Bless the USA

11-13-2017, 04:52 PM	#3
Ron Ortiz Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Englewood, Florida Posts: 989 Likes: 35 Liked 317 Times in 103 Posts	Re: Our Military - Their Race Cars I enlisted in the Air Force in 1966 upon graduation from Carol City High School in Miami FL. Wanted to join to see aircraft. Went to basic training in Lackland TX. Then to a Navy base in Oxnard CA, then an Army base in Pensacola FL and off to beautiful Viet Nam. Was attached to 7th Pacific Air Force, and visited Pleiku, Bien Hoa and Cam Rahn Bay, but was never on an Air Force base, never got to see planes except in the sky. Went back to the states and was told to wait for my discharge papers at home as they had no need for equipment operators at Homestead Air Force base. Several months later received my discharge papers. Still, no planes. Have no regrets serving my country, would do it again. Other racers that I know who served, Daran & Daryl Summerton, Bruce Fulper and Bill Grubbs, know there are many more. Thank you all for your service. __________________ Ron Ortiz 2102 STK

11-13-2017, 05:55 PM	#4
Ron Ortiz Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Englewood, Florida Posts: 989 Likes: 35 Liked 317 Times in 103 Posts	Re: Our Military - Their Race Cars I would also like to add, if any young man or woman comes out of high school and is really not sure of what to do with their lives, the military is a sure bet to be a better person overall. It is real, growing up fast, learning to take care of yourself and others, to take responsibility, to learn, to be a better person mentally and physically. It is an experience that changes you for the better. I encourage young people to join and be a big part in America's future. It is an adventure. Ron Ortiz U/SA proud to be an American. __________________ Ron Ortiz 2102 STK

11-14-2017, 06:28 PM	#6
Lee Valentine Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Brookfield, CT Posts: 708 Likes: 13 Liked 319 Times in 68 Posts	Re: Our Military - Their Race Cars I served in the Army 1966-68. As Ron Ortiz posted the military is a great career for young people, my daughter joined the Air Force the day after she graduated high school and served 23 years retiring as a master Sargent. She is only 43 and I m still working. __________________ Lee Valentine 1661 STK

11-15-2017, 07:24 PM	#7
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 3,045 Likes: 712 Liked 1,603 Times in 583 Posts	Re: Our Military - Their Race Cars I would like to add Pete Kost who still races in Division 6 Stock Eliminator. Pete served in the US Army during WW II. He was member of the predecessor units to the US Army Special Forces hunting high value targets in Europe. He was also a member of the US Army Boxing team that toured throughout the world entertaining the troops, and was the undefeated champ in his weight.

11-13-2017, 11:42 AM	#2
Greg Reimer 7376 VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora,Calif. Posts: 1,137 Likes: 172 Liked 719 Times in 220 Posts	Re: Our Military - Their Race Cars Thank all of you very much. Sounds like the military was a family tradition for many of you! I signed up for the draft when I turned 18 in 1972, was attending Pasadena City College and was closed 1-H, then a standby draft lottery was taken the following year, and I was #22. I immediately got new draft cards recalled as 1-A, but the draft expired shortly afterwards. You guys that went and served are a real special group of great Americans. The stories drag racers tell are pretty amazing, just add military stories and the material for discussion increases immensely. Thanks again for your service.