John Jacques
City of Residence: Prescott Valley
Branch of Service: U.S. Air Force
In 1970, I graduated from high school in a small town in Vermont. At that time Vietnam was the hot topic and the draft was in place. I wanted to serve my country, asking my uncle who was in the Navy to see if I could enlist. When I examined, the physician told me that I needed to see a neurologist, which led to a diagnosis of Neurofibromatosis (NF), a disorder that causes tumors to grow. This made me unfit for service and rendered me a 1F deferment.
Determined to enlist, I contacted a caring Air Force recruiter, telling him of my story and that I would "shut-up" to my disorder. He sent me to a new recruitment center in Albany, New York, making sure to stand in the back of the line. "SCORE." I passed and was reclassified 1A able to join the Air Force. After basic training in Texas and tech school in Colorado, I was sent to Homestead, Florida, and to my last assignment at Eielson AFB, Alaska.
When there, I was able to meet Ms. France. Her brother was also in the U.S. Air Force and she wanted to see the planes that we maintained. After my four years were up, I used my GI bill and received my BA degree from the University of Alaska entered a graduate program.
I was hired as a federal employee, moving over eight times for promotions. I finally retired as a federal employee as a division chief for logistics at the Aberdeen Test Center, Maryland. This was all because of my enlistment in the USAF and the chance this recruiter made on my behalf, who I will always be grateful for. What a journey I had, living in Germany, visiting Korea and traveling the world. As my license plate on my truck states "AIMHGH" - the Air Force Motto.
- National Weather Service warns of major winter storm approaching Prescott, Prescott Valley area
- Storm forecast puts Prescott on watch with snowfall of 15 to 27 inches predicted
- UPDATE: Latest prediction is 14 to 23 inches of snow in quad-city area
- Drivers advised to limit travel later this week
- Prescott, Prescott Valley school districts avoid snow day due to holiday; procedures in place for upcoming storms
- School superintendents turn weathermen as they prepare for snow
- Prescott street crews mobilize for expected one-two punch of snow events
- Prescott Police arrest 59-year-old woman for allegedly operating prostitution house
- 4 to 6 inches of snow forecast for greater Prescott area
- Why are flags at half-staff today, Feb. 9, 2019
- Why are flags at half-staff today, Feb. 9, 2019
- Teenager killed while crossing Spouse Drive in Prescott Valley
- ‘Prescott Valley Fire’ burns about 300 acres north of Highway 89A
- Wind-driven wildfire quickly moving northeast of Prescott
- Prescott home total loss in difficult firefight
- Young Prescott man arrested for sexual assault of teen
- Multiple pedestrians struck by cars in downtown Prescott on Thursday
- Local fire departments frustrated with Life Line response times
- Firefighters battling home fire in Prescott
- Yabba- Dabba-Done! - Fred, Wilma and the gang bid farewell as Bedrock City closes after 47 years
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