Embedded Files
Veteran
1985
2016
"This red phone rings right so everybody looks at me like okay dude you’re the highest
ranking guy you got to answer this phone"
~ Kevin Van Haren (25:57)
Name:
Kevin B. Van Haren
Date of Birth:
December 17, 1965
Branch of Service:
Air Force
Dates of Service:
1985 - 1989
Location of Military Service:
Cape Cod Air Force Station
Residence at Time of Interview:
South Dennis, Massachusetts
Kevin Van Haren's Story:
Kevin Van Haren grew up in Topeka, Kansas with a mother, father and two sisters. His father was in the Air Force before him and that encouraged him to join after he quit college because of college expenses.
Once he joined the Air Force he was not quite sure what he wanted to do inside this branch. The ASVAB test helped him figure out what he wanted to do based on what he was good at.
After the ASVAB he scored nearly perfect on all the tests. He applied for a computer technician spot and was evidently given the place after he was injured in para-rescue, that he did not sign up for. He finally got an assignment as a technician and was transferred to Cape Cod to work with the new technology. He was in charge of the Pave PAWS transmitters. This was one of the hardest positions on the base because after a couple years he was in charge of the lower ranking individuals.
During the Cold War it was a tough period of time for him to live so he was poorly nourished because he was broke. Also he could hardly talk to his family back home in Topeka, Kansas.
After he was honorably discharged from the Air Force it had helped him get his job in the FAA. Then he moved around the East Coast for his job then settled on Cape Cod again.
(Above)
On the left is his identification card and on the right is his vaccination records. Any personnel stationed on a base
would have to carry these two items around at all times.
These are Kevin's Air Force dog tags. Most people in United States get two dog tags one to be buried with the body if the person was to die while in service. The other dog tag is to be given to the next of kin of the fallen soldier.
This was Kevin's Air Force Achievement Medal that he received when he was honorably discharged from Cape Cod Air Force Station.
This is where Mr. Van Haren was stationed on Cape Cod after he was dismissed from para-rescue.
Report abuse