From Vietnam....to Afghanistan
Story by: Lt. Col. Dan Lonowski, 108th PAD
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD - As combat operations were drawing down in Vietnam in 1972, the United States continued to keep a military presence in the country.
For one Alabama National Guardsman, the war - and his career - were just beginning.
Thirty eight years ago, Sgt. 1st Class David Kelly, then a young Navy Seaman and graduate from Navy Basic Training, was flown to Subic Bay near the Philippines and stationed on a ship. He remained on that ship, the U.S.S. Saratoga, for six months before returning stateside.
Now, after continuing to serve his country for all these years, Kelly is deployed again, this time to Afghanistan with the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, a National Guard unit from Birmingham, Ala.
He attended Auburn University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1982. In 1984, Kelly joined the Army National Guard where he earned a full-time position.
As a full-time Guardsman, Kelly became a purchasing agent and remained in the supply arena. He has worked in food service and food purchasing equipment for several years with the Guard. Kelly has also worked in supply, where he has assisted Soldiers in ordering clothing and field gear.
Even though Kelly hasn’t deployed since 1972, the Vietnam veteran said the prospect of deploying again did not deter his willingness to continue to serve.
“My family has always been very supportive,” Kelly said, adding that his wife Teresa and two grown children, Christopher and Elizabeth, have never second guessed his decision to continue his career.
“My wife and I had talked on a couple occasions about it. I knew sooner or later I would be called to fill a vacancy.”
Kelly acknowledged, however, that none of his family members were a part of his last deployment. This experience is new for them. He and Teresa had not yet married, or even met when he deployed to the Philippines. While in the Navy, Kelly served in personnel services, caring for the records of all Seamen on the ship.
Today, it is an area in which Kelly continues to serve. Kelly is a member of Joint Forces Headquarters in Montgomery, Ala. When the 135th ESC called Kelly up to deploy with the unit, he was placed in a warehouse supply position.
However, as the unit reviewed its needs, Kelly was moved to food service specialist. Kelly said a lot has changed in the military, noting that technology has revolutionized how we do business. He said, however, that Soldiers are still Soldiers.
Kelly said loyalty, standards and training are still cornerstones that allow our military to remain the force it is today.
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