Gary Nephi Campbell

Profile Updated: January 9, 2020

Residing In:	Springville, UT USA

Spouse/Partner:	Terry Huish Campbell

Homepage:	View Website

Occupation:	USMC, U.S. Army, U.S. Postal Service- retired.

Children:	I have 13 children. 3 of which are step-children. Which 3 I don't remember. Katrina, Sondra, Shane, More…

Military Service:	U.S. Marine Corps/U.S. Army

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Sometimes I feel that I should not attend your reunions because I left school and joined the Marine Corps on my 17th birthday. However, I have a lot of memories of you folks and Orem High School.

I'm married to the former Terry Huish. She graduated from BY High class of 66. She was a cheerleader and she is the love of my life.

I spent 13 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and another 13 in the U.S. Army. As a Marine I served as part of the blockade in the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. I served 14 months in Vietnam where on the 24th of July, 1966 on a operation called Hastings I was wounded. On Operation Hastings between the 22nd and the 24th of July 1966 I lost many dear friends. Thirty four KIA'S and over 110 WIA'S, a event that changed my life forever. After we had loaded the last of the bodies of my Marine buddies on helicopters, myself and other brothers made a promise, a promise I took very seriously. That promise was our fallen brothers would not be forgotten. Therefore every chance I get I tell their story. I talk at school assemblies, youth groups, memorial programs, whenever, wherever I can. Most of my time in the Army was spent in recruiting and training reservists. I retired from the military in 1986 after 26 years of service. I then joined the postal service at the Provo post office and retired from there in 2003.

While in the Marine Corp I had the opportunity to visit many places such as: Okinawa, the Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong, Panama, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Hawaii, Guam, Vietnam, and many other places within the United States. I wouldn't recommend anybody quitting school and joining at the young age of 17, but for me it was the right thing to do. I have never regreted it, except maybe for the first few days of recruit training. I finished high school and college while serving in the military.

I currently spend a lot of time volunteering. I'm presently on the board of the Orem Heritage Museum where I spend a considerable amount of my time. I'm there every Tuesday, Thursday afternoon. If you haven't seen the museum, please drop by, and I'll give you your own private tour. I am on the Orem City Heritage Commission where I came in contact with our illustrious former mayor and classmate Jerry Washburn. The commission plans the memorial day and veterans day programs for the city. I am a member of the Veterans of Foreign War Honor Guard where we shoot the rifles, play taps, fold and present the flag to the next of kin at the funerals of fallen veterans. I am extremely patriotic. I love my country and appreciate those who serve, especially our WWII veterans, who we are losing at thousands a day, and the young men serving today. These young men are all volunteers. They are there because they want to serve; they want to give something back to their country at great sacrifice to themselves and their families. We need to remember them daily. I have 2 sons, 1 daughter, and 3 grandsons currently serving. I just lost one of them. My dear son Dustin, My heart is broken, I miss him so much. He served in the Army in Afghanistan. He left behind a Loving Wife, 2 Wonderful Sons and a Beautiful daughter.

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School Story:

Some places that were a big part of my life back then, that are no longer here. Kirk's Drive Inn Cafe, Geneva & Timpview Drive Inns & a couple of old places that fortunately are still here. The Scera Theater and the old seminary building next to it. The old seminary building is where our museum is now located. Great memories.

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