Client Cameo: John S.

We are so proud to introduce you to our September Client Cameo, John S.  John is a self-proclaimed "Swamp Rat" because he was born and raised in Mississippi with his brother who is one year older than him.  John joined the Marines at the age of 18 because he wanted to get out of Mississippi as soon as he could.  Since leaving Mississippi, John has been to 45 different states and 14 different countries!

John served in the Marines for twenty years in the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines and retired as a Master Sergeant in 1977.  His battalion was called the "Walking Dead" because it had been almost completely wiped out three times.   He must be part cat with seven lives, because he says he should have died seven times during his lifetime, having survived being blown off a tank and was shot down in a helicopter.  John was in combat in the Vietnam War in 1965-1966 and 1969-1970.  He was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" which is awarded for valor or bravery during combat actions against an enemy force. It is the fourth highest award for military combat bravery. John also received two Gallantry Cross Medals, which honors members of the military and civilians who carried out feats of valor or heroism in combat with hostile forces.  He also served in the Philippines, Hong Kong and Okinawa.

After John retired from the military, he lived in the mountains in Montana, but would travel to the the South Pole where he would work six months out of the year as a Heavy Equipment operator for the National Science Foundation for three years.  He also worked at a platinum mine in Montana where he would have to descend 7,000 feet below ground into the mines to work.  John met his wife in Montana and they have a daughter who lives here in Colorado.

In his younger years, John was an avid outdoorsman and an accomplished fisherman and hunter. He says he has caught hundreds of fish and numerous deer, which he would live off of because they lived in remote Montana.  One of his biggest prize catches was a 48- pound cod fish that he caught in the Gulf of Mexico. Now, John enjoys watching TV shows like "The Deadliest Catch", playing cards and bingo.  He loves living in Broomfield, Colorado where he is closer to his daughter and grandson.

John has been using Carry-Out Caravan and VetsGo for a year-and-a-half. He says that the grocery shopping and delivery is very helpful and that our volunteers do a good job. And, the VetsGo drivers have been amazing as well, he says. John, it is our honor to serve you in return for the two decades that you served our country. We thank you for your service, your constant positive attitude and your outlook on life!