It is an absolute honor and privilege to serve in the United States Military. Quite often when I am in uniform, I am both amazed and appreciative when people go out of their way to say, “Thank you for your service”. With this level of appreciation comes a huge responsibility. A responsibility to wear the uniform with pride and carry yourself in a manner shows a high level of respect the it demands. Not only are you representing your country and the military, you are also representing your family. If you ask a majority of those who volunteer to serve their country if someone in their family served, I would suffice to say many would proudly name a family member. Not only would they name them, they would have an honored inflection in their voice when answering.
In a past issue, I was pleased to tell my father Butch Kennedy’s story of service. As I write this, I am delighted that I get to talk about another family member who I am PROUD to discuss. DOUG SPON IS A VIETNAM VETERAN . . . HE IS ALSO MY GRANDPA!!!!!!!!
Born in 1950 in Sharon Pennsylvania to Ray and June Spon, Doug Spon grew up in family dedicated to service. Ray Spon served in the Navy, and his brother Rick Spon, retired from the US Navy in 2003 as a Commander. In December 1968, Doug Spon made the decision to also serve his country. Like many during this time he was posed with a very tough question: Enlist or get drafted?
At the time, the Army allowed him to enlist without a high school diploma. “I was ready to go, I liked land, and liked fixing stuff. Being a mechanic in the US Army made sense.” Doug would attend Basic Training at Fort Benning, GA and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, SC. After completion of his training in May 1969, Doug Spon would receive orders to Chu Lai, Vietnam. Upon arrival Doug was stationed at LZ Baldy until he and a friend made a mistake. “There was a base wide urinalysis. A Sergeant gave me a cup and told me to “fill it up”. I did so, except I filled it with Vodka. Seemed funny at the time, but they didn’t find the humor in it when the results came back.” Based on this, Doug was moved to LZ Siberia as punishment. During this time, although trained as a mechanic, he spent the majority of his time running convoys as part of the Quick Reaction Force (QRF).
After a year in Vietnam, Doug would serve 2 years in Ft Bragg, NC where he would reenlist and receive orders to South Korea. On location, he spent his first 4 months as a mechanic until he was summoned to meet with a Sergeant Major. After formation, SGT Spon was told to get in a Jeep and go to Seoul. Following a two-hour drive, the subsequent conversation ensured:
Sergeant Major: “SGT Spon, you need a haircut.”
Sergeant Spon: “You had me come all this way to tell me that?”
Sergeant Major: “No, you are going to be the General’s Driver.”
Sergeant Spon: “How?”
Sergeant Major: “You were selected.”
Sergeant Spon: “How?”
Sergeant Major: . . (insert speechless pause here) . . . Get your stuff.
Doug would spend his remaining time in Korea as the General’s Driver until he was stationed in Ft. Riley Kansas in April 1972 for 1.5 years as part of the 1st Infantry Division. While there he was part of the 701st MSB and assigned to Alpha Company. (Ironically, when I (Shane Kennedy) joined the Army in 1999, I was stationed in Germany in the sister unit. I was assigned to Alpha Company 701st MSB in Kitzingen, Germany as part of the 1st ID in 2000). After Kansas, Doug received orders to Baumholder Germany where he would finish his career and receive an Honorable Discharge after 7 years, 9 months, and 23 days of service.
“I enjoyed my time in the military. It did a lot for me. I grew up.” After Doug completed his initial training, he returned home to visit with family. Growing up, he had a few “encounters” with the local deputy sheriff. When this same deputy saw him in uniform he stated, “This is the best decision you ever made young man”.
To this day, Doug always draws a close comparison with his professional career with his time in the service. He has spent his life either working as a mechanic, or in jobs that utilize his knowledge as a mechanic. At StoneBridge, he is called on quite often to help diagnose issues. Along with this, he enjoys his fellow Veterans at StoneBridge. “I really enjoy being around the guys. In the service, you look out for each other. You develop that bond in and out of the service. I share that same bond at StoneBridge Trucking.”
