Three Decades of Stellar Service

Name: John Sammons

Age: 74

Novato resident since: 1976

Occupation: Military intelligence

Branch of military: U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps

Highest rank: Commander

Years of service: 1957-87

Military schooling: Officers Candidate School, Newport, R.I.

Locations deployed: Lebanon, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Midway Island, Guam, Alaska, Hawaii, Trust Territories of the Pacific.

Combat: Vietnam

Combat injuries: None

Active with veterans groups: Military Officers Association of America, Marin Chapter (past president); MOAA, California council of chapters; American Legion Post 540 (commander)

What are your favorite memories of your service?

Standing at attention along Pennsylvania Avenue during the inaugural parade for President John F. Kennedy and getting to ride in Air Force One a few times.

What was your scariest moment or most dangerous situation?

Getting shot down in a helicopter in Vietnam and having to fight my way out of ambushes.

Is patriotism what it used to be?

When you look at the men and women in the armed forces now, patriotism is what it has always been in those who practice the profession of arms. However, unfortunately, in a large segment of the population patriotism seems to be an afterthought. Memorial Day and Veterans Day are considered by some to be just another holiday. Schools today are more concerned with the PC aspects of society instead of what made our country what it is today. Sad.