Eagle’s Talon Mission 29 to Washington, D.C.

On September 26, 2026, Eagle’s Talon Mission 29 traveled to Washington, D.C., providing veterans with the opportunity to visit and reflect at the nation’s military memorials. The mission honored the service and sacrifices of our veterans while creating lasting memories, fostering camaraderie, and expressing the gratitude of a thankful nation. Participants experienced a meaningful day of remembrance, recognition, and fellowship in our nation's capital.

September 26, 2026

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Wm John Wilson

Army Reserve 1987-2003, Active Duty 2003-2015

Stationed in Camp Pendelton, CA; Wichita, KS; Little Rock, AR; Washington, DC

Overseas tours – Korea, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait

Assignments: Company Commander, 478th Transportation Co. (PLS); Team Chief, 1394th Deployment Support Brigade; Operations Desert Shield & Storm; Support Operations Officer, 90th Sustainment Brigade; Assistant IG, Office of the Army Inspector General; Deployment Support Officer, Army G-4

September 3, 2025

Greatest Generation Parade - Grand Rapids, MI

Alan Whipple - Army Reserve 12-years, E6, Fort Leonard Wood MO, Fort Hood TX, Heidelberg Germany, Truck Driver

Tom Driscoll - Army 1960-1963, Rank E-4 SPC, Erlangen, Germany

Roger Beard - Army 1959-1965, Rank Sp-4, Fort Sill, OK

Sgt. Jerry Gritzmaker - Served USMC 1954-1962, Aviation schools at Millington, TN and Jacksonville, FL. Aviation Machinist at Quantico, VA. With Aircraft Engineering Squadron - 12, 1955-1958.

Edward R Kurylo - Army, Spec 5, 1967-1969, Fort Belvoir, Va.

Assigned to Combat Development Command – C.D.C. – 1968-1969

Worked in Data Processing Department as Keypunch/Verify Machine Operator, Computer Tape Library and Computer Scheduler. Wrote the computer program manual for internal office use.

Al Peterson - Army, Spec 4, 1968-1969, Pleiku, Vietnam - Truck driver 10-ton floating bridge building construction

Robert Rinzema - Army, SP4, Active - 6 months, Reserve - 1957-1964, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and Fort Chaffee, Arkansas

Carl Esakson - National Guard, Sergeant, 1953-1962, Grand Rapids, MI - Served 2 weeks every year at Grayling, MI. Stood guard during tornados. Called up 2 times for Korea. Never went.

Harry Emmert, Sr. - Navy & US Coast Guard Aux, E-4 & AQB-3 - Aviation Fire Control Tech Bomb Director systems, June 1961 - June 1965, Sanford, FL - 3 years, Meridian, MS - 6-months, Millington, TN - 6-months Training, USS Forrestal Carrier qualifications

Raymond Lull - Navy, HM3 Hospital Corps, 1960-1966, Anacostia Naval Air station, Great Lakes NAMRA #4 (Naval Medical Rose Arch Unit)

Dennis Biggins - Navy, E-4 Petty Officer 3rd Class, 5 years of Service, (2–6-month Extensions for Cuban Mission Crisis) Home Port - Norfolk, VA. Traveled to France, Italy, Spain, Sicily and Greece.

John R Woodman – U.S. Air Force - A1st – 1963-1967 – basic training at Lackland AFB – San Antonio Tx – airplane mechanics training at Amarillo AFB, Texas - Aircraft Mechanic on C-130s with the 608 OMS, N. Charleston AFB, SC – Medals received: Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Car Club info: member since mid 1996 - chair for the summer picnic & organized & led 3 one day tours

Bonita M (Mather) Woodman – U.S. Air Force - A3rd c. - 1965-1967 –Basic training at Lackland AFB, TX – stationed as clerk typist in 608 OMS – N. Charleston AFB, SC.

Car Club info: was newsletter editor from 1997 to 2020 - helped with summer picnic and one day tours

Click Here to see 1000 more pictures of this mission.

To get directly to the ship tour, skip head to 3:55.

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