Interviewed by:

Willow North and Dylan Kaplowitz

"War is crazy, and that was a crazy war."
~ Ralph Sheppard

Ralph Sheppard's Story:

Ralph Sheppard has been and is many things:a bartender, a chef, a father, a funny guy, a veteran. But Before his military career, he worked at his father's bar in Chatham, where he hear many stories from veterans, including his own father who served in the navy. After working there for awhile and hearing these stories, he decided to join the army; His father didn't talk to him for two weeks. After his time in basic training, he spent six years in Fort Hood, Texas where he felt the early rush of being in the military, spit-shined shoes and all. He went on to be a section sergeant of the First Calvary Division driving a lot of tanks, and was also in the Second Infantry Division. He also spent time in South Korea, where he had some problems that landed him a stockade (military prison) for six months. After this, he planned on going back to having a military career, but was given the offer to go home with an honorable discharge and large sum of money. Ralph excitedly accepted the offer and went home. He now works landscaping and has a son, who has also joined the military.