In Their Own Words
The following interviews were conducted at the Digital Media Studio at Lehigh University. They all follow a general arc from enlistment, to training, military service, and discharge.
Steve Daykin (1981- ) enlisted in the United States Air Force after high school. He went to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He was stationed at Andrews Air Force base in Maryland when 9/11 occurred. He spent time in Korea and was deployed to Iraq in an Army detachment unit. While things may not have turned out the way he wanted them to, he has no regrets about his military career.
Gary Flavin (1954-) enlisted in the United States Air Force as a munitions maintenance specialist and was originally stationed in Tucson, Arizona. For two years he was stationed at RAF Bentwaters, in England, which allowed him to travel around Europe. After another year at Tucson, he was discharged. He believes that his time in the service gave him a discipline and way of thinking that have stayed with him.
Chris Howard (1984-) enlisted in the United States Army in 2002 and was honorably discharged in 2015. During his five deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, he worked as an IFTE Operator and Maintainer. Chris currently attends Louisiana State University in Shreveport. He reflects on his time in the military as a positive experience that, given the opportunity, he would repeat.
Evan Harris (1984-) enlisted in the United States Air Force in 2003. Following Basic Training and Technical School, Evan was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. He was deployed to both Diego Garcia and Guam, where he worked on instrument and flight control systems on B-52 Bombers. He was honorably discharged in 2013 and currently attends Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Evan reflects on the benefits and drawbacks of his military service.
Bart Howard was born and raised in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He is part of a military family and enlisted in the Marine Corps after high school. In the Marines, he was an All-Marine wrestler and became a Bulk Fuel Specialist. After his service, he returned to Williamsport and raised a family. He discusses his transition to civilian life and the important role the military has played in his life.
Tom was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Air Force after high school. He was deployed to RAF Woodbridge in England as a weather forecaster. After he chose not to reenlist, he moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania, and began working as a newspaper reporter. He chose to join the Army Reserve as a teacher and, after September 11, 2001, he was deployed to Iraq to work in Civil Affairs. He now works as the Director of Veteran Affairs of Lehigh County and discusses the challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian life.
