When Jerry and Faye Wright of Jane celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in January, it was also the occasion of a significant event in their family’s military careers as well.
Jerry, 70, is a retired staff;sergeant with 27 years in military service in the U. S. Marines and the Army National Guard. He served in the Cuban Crisis in 1962, was in Vietnam when President Kennedy was killed and worked in various jobs during his career.
He has been a member of Pineville/Jane American Legion Post 392 for many years. His three grandsons - all serving in the U. S. Marines - have also become Legionnaires.
Sgt. Austin P. Tipton is serving as a member of the prestigious presidential unit in Washington, D. C. He is headquartered at the Quantico, Va., Marine Corps base. He is taking college courses toward an eventual degree and wants to become a Marine officer.
Sgt. Joel S. Wright is stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif., as a crew chief on a Chinook helicopter. He too is working on a college degree to become a Marine offier.
Both sergeants are the sons of Diana Wright, Jerry and Faye’s daughter.
Pfc. Adam W. Salman, who lives with the Wrights, is a student at Missouri State University in Springfield and serves in the Marine ROTC at the school.
All of the grandsons were recently attired in dress blues for a family photo.Jerry Wright also wore a set of dress blues, which were presented to him by his grandsons. A gesture that left him well pleased, to say the least.
“Post 392 is pleased to have this ‘family of Marines’ as members,” said Post Commander Larry Caywood.
He also said there are other family members registered at the post, representing almost every branch of the U. S. military.
Member William “Bill” Lang has three sons who are also members of Post 392 - William, Jr., Curtis and Jeffrey.
Dennis Kirk’s son, Kenneth is a member. Kirk is retired from the Navy Reserve.
Craig Caywood, is a retired Air Force Major. He is the son of Larry, a retired Air Force sergeant, and Hope Caywood.
Rebecca Hall’s son, David, is a member, as is Robert McCaine’s son, Timothy.
The commander is proud of the whole bunch.
“The Pineville/Jane post appreciates all the veterans and sons as it makes our post grow and makes us feel more family oriented towards veterans,” Caywood said. “I feel that all posts should have more active duty members in their posts whose parents are veterans.”
News, Pages 1 on 04/25/2013