Wendell F. Pike

I hated school and as some of you on this list know I did not try, but later on in life I found out that you need an education. I quit school, joined the army in 1964, went to Germany after training, and in 1966 was sent to Vietnam. I was a scout in a recon Platoon in the 25th Inf Division. I reenlisted in 1967 and extended for another six months in Vietnam. I did attend the graduation in 1967, because I was on leave from Vietnam and with a young lady that was in the class. I worked hard while in Vietnam to get my GED, because I found out you need a education to get ahead. I spent another tour in Vietnam in 1971, but that was also a beauitiful year because I came home on leave from Hawaii and married Fannie Caudill August 1971 from Millstone,KY and we were stationed in Hawaii where Wendy was born. I recieved two Purple Hearts and a Bronse Star plus other awards while in Vietnam on my first tour. I was stationed in Germany four times, also a Drill Sergeant two times and a Army Recruiter working out of the Hazard station in the early 80's. I was able to obtain my High School Diploma, because of a program between the Department of Veteran Affairs and The dpartment of Education. I retired from the Army in 1993 as a Sergeant Major. I live on a 28 acre farm with my family. After I retired from the Army I went back to school and graduated from University of Louisville in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree with Honors and in 2005 a Master of Science degree from University of Louisville. I am a 100 percent disabled veteran, but proud that I served my country even if it cost me my young teen years of living close and being friends of the ones I went to school with.