Okay a couple days late, like usual 🤷♂️... However it is the moment you all wait for each and every month.
The Center Point Legion Veteran of the Month for November is..... Ryan Rambo!
Ryan served in the Air Force 2000-2004 as an F-15 crew chief and was stationed out of Langley in Virginia. Deployed in Iceland for Operation Northern Watch, which was to enforce the northern no fly zone in Iraq, Ryan had a truly eye opening experience. While out working on an aircraft guys came running out to get back in the hangar, they were locking it down. That day was September 11th, 2001. Needless to say an eye opening experience, I can only imagine the range of thought being overseas when 9/11 happened, as most of us remember it was bad enough stateside.
Quite the different story for him, however also again being out on the flight line, a plane caught on fire. Add to that it was full of fuel and ammo, so you know this was going to be a good time. Ryan and another crew chief rushed over for assistance, as they saw the safety guide running away from it - fyi that's not good. They initiated an emergency shut down on the bird and regained control of the situation. Ryan received a crew chief safety award for his actions. However that's the first part of the story, here's the cool part. When something like that or in that realm happens you get your awards and recognitions, but being in aviation you also get a little bonus. As a part of that Ryan got to go up in an F-15. If you're unfamiliar with an F-15, fighter jet, they are awesome and he got the experience of a lifetime with that flight.
If only it ended there.... As someone who also was in aviation I can tell you pilots have an interesting sense of humor. What does that mean you ask? The pilots, when one of these scenarios come up and have an individual riding reel, take it upon themselves to make a wager. Free beer if you can make the person throw up you're giving a ride to. Unfortunately for Ryan his pilot got free beer from the other pilots that day. Ryan lost it 3 times during the flight and is pretty sure he passed out at some point as well, so that's a helluva thank you lol...
Just to let you know, those are some of the best times and what is hard to understand for civilians on the military camaraderie, it's just different.
Serving one stint in the Air Force, Ryan came back to Iowa and is living outside Center Point. He actually is a member of the Urbana Legion where his grandpa was a member, Ryan has numerous family members that have served. He has been working for the railroad for quite a few years now. He and his wife Ashley have 4 children. Which as you know, that is your free time. He enjoys helping coach 4th grade football, little tikes baseball and basically anything they need help with. He does enjoy hunting and his kids now are getting to the age they can partake in the tradition with dad. Also like many others he follows and enjoys the Hawkeyes!
Please join me in thanking Ryan for his service to our country and community, thank you 🇺🇲
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