'Freedom isn't free': Local vets share stories and what Veterans Day means to them

ELIOT, Maine — Americans have set aside the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to honor the nation's veterans. The date marks the signing of the armistice in 1918 that officially ended World War I, the war the world hoped would end all wars.

The dream of world peace did not last far past 1918, and the United States has found it necessary to maintain a mighty military able to defend the nation from those that would do it harm. The people who serve in that military become veterans when they leave active duty and Veterans Day is a time to honor and thank them for their service.

For 22 years, the Marshwood Middle School community has honored local veterans by inviting them to the school and having every single student thank each and every one of them for their service and get to know one another a bit. That tradition took place again on Friday, Nov. 8, and in honor of Veterans Day, today we share the stories of some of Marshwood's honored guest veterans.

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Heather and Dave Tingle: Navy

Heather, 37, and Dave Tingle, 35, of Eliot, met and fell in love while serving in the Navy.

Heather served on the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan from 2006 to 2012.

"I was an aviation ordinance person," she said. "I built guns, and bombs."

Dave said he worked as a navigator on nuclear submarines, parlaying that into a career as an engineer for deep submergence systems at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

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Both Tingles have tradition behind their service. Dave's grandfather served in the Navy.

"It's a family tradition," said Heather. "I am the youngest of four girls, but I followed in the footsteps of all the men in my family. I never was very girly. Veterans Day reminds us how history has given us the freedoms we have. We need to remember those who died for that cause."

"You hear it, but it's true; freedom isn't free," said Dave. "We have to know that, and remember it."

Rob James and Joe Dominguez: Air Force

Rob James and Joe Dominguez both served in the Air Force and are now retired. Both men are 78 and the years of their service in the '60s are almost identical. On Nov. 4 at the Marshwood ceremony, the pair met for the first time and within minutes it felt like they had been friends forever; their instant camaraderie and love of airplanes made that new friendship easy.

"I came in in 1966 and was active duty until 1973," said James, who lives in South Berwick. "I took a break and went back in 1980 and stayed that time until 1993. I served at a lot of bases and did one year in Vietnam, in Quang Tri. "

Dominguez lives in York. He was stationed at Pease Air Force Base and served time overseas.

"I joined the Air Force because the draft was chasing us all," he said. "I wanted some say in what happened to me. I wanted to learn airplanes because I wanted to go into the airlines when I got out. I started out with TWA, an airline that doesn't exist anymore."

Having younger generations honor Veterans Day is important, both men said.

"Everything has gotten so political these days," said James. "People need to know that we need to always have the capability to defend ourselves. We need to have a good military."

Dominguez, who came with a box of models of the planes flown during the Vietnam War, said people need to understand the sacrifices military people make for their country. He said young people need to know it's important to be a part of that going forward."

Beverle Gregory: Navy

Beverle Gregory, 75, is a retired Navy nurse. The Kittery resident served in the Da Nang region of Vietnam.

"It was 35 years later that I learned about PTSD," she said. "Well, I knew but thought it was only the men fighting that got it. Not true, because apparently I have it. I went because I think our guys deserved the best care we could give them and I am proud of that."

Gregory said it is important to keep honoring veterans on Veterans Day.

"We need to remember history or it will repeat itself," she said. "I am patriotic and I think everyone should serve. I think the military is a place to grow up, to see what is important."

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Bob Allen: Army

Bob Allen, 85, of Berwick, served in the Army from 1960 to 1962.

"I was drafted," he said. "I was 26. I worked in supply and transportation units."

A member of VFW Post 79, Allen said Veterans Day is an important time to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served in the military.

"We honor it so young kids will remember what we did to protect our country," he said. "It's important that they understand."

Dustin Coy: Navy

Dustin Coy, 42, of South Berwick served in the Navy, from 2001 to 2011. He was stationed in San Diego on the USS Nimitz as a machinist mate. That experience led directly to his current career at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard where he is a training instructor.

"I enlisted because I wanted a chance to serve my country," said Coy. "Soon after I did, 9/11 happened and that expanded my resolve to serve."

Coy said for him, Veterans Day offers him a chance to celebrate all who served in military.

"I think this gets forgotten sometimes," he said. "For kids like today, it gives them a chance to see how honorable serving can be. They can see it's not a fallback career if they don't get to college. They will learn a valuable skill set. I stayed in for 10-plus years. I probably would have stayed longer, but it became hard for my family. So, I found the shipyard. I use my skills and can be with my family, too."

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Seacoast veterans share their stories at Maine event honoring them