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RiverWoods Pays Tribute to Staff Members Who Have Helped Protect Our Country

June 25 , 2008

In honor of Independence Day, we thought we would pay tribute to a group of young men who work among us who have, and still are, protecting our country, both here and afar.

Ed Aikey, LPN, served aboard the U.S.S. Springfield in the Mediterranean during the Vietnam War, serving as a Yeoman (Ed refers to this position as a cushy job as a paper shuffler) and didn’t think he’d be involved in any combat.  On day, a Russian ship came too close for comfort.  It was rumored that they wanted to take over their position off the coast of Italy.  One of the Gunners was very ill, so the commanding officer said, “I have just the man to take his place.”  Ed was then placed down in the missile room for three days, which was a tiny room of only 4’x4’ with headphones to communicate with the bridge, a small light bulb that constantly flickered, rations, and a tin can (we’ll let you decide what this was used for!).  During that time, Ed was signaled to fire the missile three times.  When he was finally able to get out of this room, he was never so glad to see the daylight!

George Foust, LPN, served in the Air Force, National Guard, Reserves, and the Veteran’s Hospital for 15 years.  He served in communications, combat arms, and medical.  His best time was serving in the medical corps.  He was the combat medic in a line unit and Battalion aide station, field hospital, 4055 MASH, and a unit clerk, just lie Klinger of the 4077 MASH Program.

Wayne Miller, Admissions Coordinator, is a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and has served 10 years.  He was deployed to Korea for one year, spent six months in Bosnia, and one year in Iraq during Freedom One.  Wayne still remains active with the PA Army National Guard and is a State Certified Instructor as well as a Recruiting Assistant for the State of Pennsylvania.

Charles (Chip) Carnes, III, RidgeCrest Restaurant Chef Manager, had a great idea that training for the Marine Corp would do him some good and help him take care of his wife and young son.  He decided to go to the recruiting center with his best friend to sign up in the buddy program.  The morning he was to leave for boot camp, he was picked up by the recruiter.  They stopped by his friend’s house, but he didn’t answer the door.  Therefore, Chip went alone.  Chip served as the Marine Corp cook.  He served in Norway, California, North Carolina, and South Carolina.  His best story was his trip to Panama when the U.S. was getting Noriega out.  He was stationed there for four months in the middle of the jungle.  Chip said, “It was the worst time of my life!”  The food was bad – and not because he cooked it!  It rained five to six times a day.  There were lots of bugs, wild animals, and sweat.  One day while they slept in their tents, he decided to clean his M16 rifle.  When he was finished, he laid the rifle on his cot with the bayonet on the end.  He forgot about it and got into bed for the night.  Guess what happened?  The bayonet lodged into the right side of his rear!  He was taken to sick bay where he received five stitches and, he had hoped, a purple heart.  He didn’t receive the purple heart until he returned home where his wife and two year old son made him one out of purple construction paper.

RiverWoods would like to take a moment to thank these men who gave of their time to serve our country.  Each one of them are proud of the fact that they were able to serve and fight for our freedom.