By Diane Camejo

Relating Events to History:A Glimpse Into My Dad’s

Life

Lifespan: 1929-present

Childhood Locale:

Duchane, UT

Education: BA in

Accounting from BYU,

MBA in Business

Administration from the

University of Utah.

Meet My Dad

The Great DepressionThe Great Depression

began in the same year my dad was born, 1929. It lasted until the early 1940s.

During this time, my dad grew up in American Fork, Utah.

His earliest memory is of playing hooky after school and taking a couple of handfuls of peas from a farming truck.

World War II, 1939-1945During WWII my dad

attended high school in American Fork, UT. He played basketball, the trumpet, and was on the debate team.

WWII’s mandatory draft influenced his decision to attend college right after high school.

Ending of WWIIMy dad attended

BYU where he was enrolled in Air Force ROTC and majored in Accounting.

He also played the trumpet in the band during basketball games.

He won the vote for “Most Eligible Bachelor” at BYU.

The United States Air ForceAfter college, my dad

spent 28 years as a commissioned officer in the Air Force.

He was stationed in Southeast Asia, Vietnam and Korea as a pilot and is the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while participating in aerial flight.

The Korean War, 1950-1953

Throughout the Korean War, my dad was continuously involved in the war. He flew several missions over Korea and neighboring areas.

The Vietnam War, 1955-1975During the Vietnam

War my dad was a “Candlelighter” – dropping flares over the Ho Chi Minh Trail and in air strikes in Laos.

President Richard Nixon denied involvement in the Ho Chi Minh Trail and in Laos for some time, perhaps even still.

Vietnam War - continued

During the Vietnam War my dad also flew missions carrying “special cargo”. To this day, I still do not know what “special cargo” means.

Present DayAfter retiring from the

military, he began teaching. He is an adjunct professor of business at College of Southern Nevada.

He considers his greatest achievement to be marrying his wife and raising his five children. They have been married for over 30 years.