I spent this rainy Veterans Day reviewing the artifacts of a 23-year career in the U.S. Army. Lonnie Lee Watkins, “aka” Bill, came out of Toney Holler, Fayette County in September 1949 and joined the Army. I suspect that his decision was influenced by his uncle Basil Toney, who had served in WW II. He did basic training at Fort Knox, KY and advanced training in antiaircraft artillery. Some of the highlights that made me smile =

March 19, 1955, Sergeant First Class Watkins had the highest score for his unit in arms qualification with the Carbine Caliber 30, with a score of 193.

April 28, 1958, he traded in his 8th grade education for a GED from the United States Armed Forces Institute out of Madison, Wisconsin.

He went on to serve in Thule, Greenland, Fort Bliss, Texas, Ansbach, Germany, and Vietnam. He rose to the rank of Master Sergeant and served as First Sergeant for the 88th Transportation company in Vietnam, running a daily convoy between An Khe and Pleiku, the infamous and dangerous Route 19. He retired as the First Sergeant of the battalion headquarters at Fort Bliss responsible for training troops with the newer and modern antiaircraft missiles.

Along the way he received various medals and commendations. And looking through the artifacts, there is ample evidence that he was respected and made many friends.

So on this Veterans Day, I salute Lonnie Lee and all who served.