Veterans Day 2000
Veterans Day 2000
Glenn Allgood, Instrumentation & Controls Division
Glenn is a problem solver from way back. These days, as a researcher at DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the problems are very different from the ones he faced growing up on the streets in Atlanta. Back then, his focus was on supporting his two sisters and ill mother. To pay the bills, he dropped out of high school in 1966, his senior year, and went to work. Allgood unloaded trucks during the day and attended school at night, then got a job servicing vending machines. He earned his General Equivalency Diploma in 1967 and went to work for Atlanta Gas Light Company as a senior engineering assistant.
In December he joined the Navy. "If I were going into the service, I wanted it to be on my terms," said Allgood, who was assigned to a submarine chaser and was later attached to a Marine helicopter squadron. In 1973 he enrolled at DeKalb College, then spent some time at Georgia State and Georgia Tech before enrolling at the University of Tennessee (UT), where he majored in electrical engineering. Twenty-six years and three degrees later--he earned a doctorate from UT in 1991--Allgood uses mathematics and engineering principles daily. He designs instruments to detect flaws in textiles, diagnose lung conditions and he's developing better methods to treat burn patients. Allgood is also involved in human factors and biomedical research and in the development of economic models for defining strategic R&D initiatives.
Whatever the job, Allgood is driven to be the best. It doesn't matter if it's flipping burgers or designing sophisticated electronic instruments. Integrity, honor and accountability mean everything to Allgood. "You're only as good as your word," he says. "Honor and integrity are all you have. That's one reason I can relate to the military. There's a sense of honor and accountability in the military. Take them away and you have nothing." Reprinted from DOE Pulse, October 4, 1999 issue.
Terry Allmond Office of Safety & Health Protection at ORNL
Lieutenant Colonel Terry T. Allmond began his military career as a direct commissioned officer in the Army Medical Department, Medical Service Corps. LTC Allmond was commissioned as an Environmental Science Officer in 1979 and has served on active duty for fifteen years and in the U. S. Army Reserves for six years. He currently serves in a dual capacity, as Deputy Chief of Staff and Environmental Science Officer, for the 332nd Medical Brigade in Nashville, Tennessee. During his military career LTC Allmond has served in sub-Sahara Africa, Middle East, Korea, Germany, and most recently El Salvador. Most of his military service has been centered on humanitarian service and public health missions.
LTC Allmond feels strongly about Veterans Day being a time to honor the selfless sacrifices and contributions of all service members that have defended our freedom.
Frank Barrera, Office of Radiation Protection
From 1978 to 1981 Frank served in the U. S. Army, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and was stationed on the East German border. From 1981 to 1983, he was in the 49th Armored Division, Texas Army National Guard and from 1983 to 1993 with the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee Army National Guard.
This picture was taken in 1978 along the East German border.
Frank is currently working at ORNL as a Health Physics Technologist in the Office of Radiation Protection.
Edward D. Blakeman, Computational Physics and Engineering Division
Lt. Edward D. Blakeman began active duty with the United States Navy in November 1970, at the Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. Naval service had become a family tradition since his father and older brother had both also served in the Navy. After he obtained his commission, Ensign Blakeman attended Aircraft Maintenance Officer School in Memphis, TN. This training prepared him for his permanent assignment aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Ranger (CVA-61), home-ported in Alameda, CA., where he served as a division officer in the Aircraft Intermediate Level Maintenance Department. His division was responsible for numerous aircraft maintenance activities including repair of damage incurred by conflict. While onboard USS Ranger, Lt. Blakeman completed one tour to Southeast Asia where he participated in the Vietnam War. He received the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star for his efforts in that conflict.
In 1974, Lt. Blakeman left the navy to pursue graduate studies in Nuclear Engineering and eventually found his way to the Computational Physics and Engineering Division at ORNL where he is presently a staff member.
Lt. Blakeman is proud of his service and feels that in addition to the opportunity to visit unusual areas of the world, it has provided him with experiences and memories that have strengthened and enriched his life.
In 1969, Donald left high school to enlist in the U. S. Marine Corps, and served a one year tour in the Republic of Vietnam. His occupational speciality was infantry rifleman, and he served in both the Third Marine Division and the First Marine Division. He served in combat operations, and earned the Combat Action Medal and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Donald's time in the service was somewhat unusual in that he was underage. He entered the Marine Corps at age 16 (the recruiter thought he was 18), and was honorably separated from military service less than one month after his 18th birthday. Interestingly enough, Lieutenant Oliver North was in his battallion at the time, although Donald never met him.
Donald came home in 1970 as both a combat veteran and a high-school dropout. He eventually went back to school and on to college and now holds a master's degree in political science, magna cum laude (and currently teaches political science at Pellissippi State College). He advises those who have not yet completed their educational goals that, "You can always go back."
Bill DeRossett, Office of Laboratory Protection
Bill served 28 years in the U.S. Army. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Military Police Corps from the ROTC at Georgetown University in 1962, served 14 years active duty and 14 years in the reserve. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1990. His assignments included: Tank Platoon Commander, 3d Reconnaissance Squadron, 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment on the West German/Czechoslovakian frontier; Assistant Provost Marshal, US Army Post, Paris, France; Commanding Officer, Army Presidential Helicopter Security Detachment, LBJ Ranch, Texas; Physical Security Officer, HQ, First Logistical Command, Vietnam; Commander, Presidio of San Francisco Field Office, US Army Criminal Investigation Command; Provost Marshal, US Army Garrison Yongsan (Seoul, Korea); Commander, Ft. Campbell District, US Army Criminal Investigation Command; Assistant Commandant, 3292d US Army Reserve Forces School, Knoxville. His military training included US Army Command and General Staff College, the National Defense University; and the US Naval War College. Decorations received: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 campaign stars, the Presidential Service Badge, the Parachuist Badge.
Bill is currently the Manager of the Emergency Preparedness Department.
Terry Donaldson, Chemical Technology Division, served in the U. S. Army's 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970.Much of his time was spent at the Division Headquarters in Cu Chi, just north of Saigon. Terry was a company clerk for most of his tour. He is presently completing a two-year assignment with the DOE's Office of Nonproliferation and National Security in Washington, D. C. |  Terry... in a guard tower. | 
...out in the field (Terry is at left). This photo of a firebase shows typical living conditions. |
 ..in a better-than-usual afternoon rain shower |  ...and waiting for the plane out of Vietnam! | |
Tim Ensminger, an environmental analyst in the ORNL Energy Division, began US Army basic training at Fort Campbell Kentucky in October 1967. In December 1967, he was assigned to Fort Sill Oklahoma where he underwent leadership training and advanced individual training in Army Artillery fire direction control. He subsequently served with "Charlie" Battery 2/17 Artillery based at An Khe in the Central Highlands of Vietnam from April 1968 to May 1969. After returning to the US and receiving an Honorable Discharge, and in spite of being "just a little crazy", Tim met and married Linda, the love of his life, completed school on the GI Bill, and began work at ORNL in October 1975.
Tim's picture was made on a wet windy day in 1968.
Larry Grayson, Plant & Equipment Division
T/sgt. Larry Grayson served in the United States Air Force 3615th Pilot Training Wing, Ala. on T-38 Talon Aircraft from 1967-1970 as a Jet Engine Technician, Inspector, and Supervisor.He graduated in 1971 from Alabama Institute of Aviation Technology. Larry is FAA Certified as a Airframe and Powerplant Technician. In 1990, Larry joined the Tennessee Air National Guard where he is currently assigned to the 134th Air Refueling Wing McGhee Tyson Air Force Base, Knoxville as a Jet Engine Technician Shop Supervisor for the KC-135 Refueling Aircraft.
In 1977 he started as a Millwright for the P&E Division and is currently assigned to the Physics Division on Accelerators and Vacuum Systems. In the picture below, Larry is in France's new fighter aircraft, The Rafale.
Michael J. Gresalfi, Ph.D.Life Science Division
Michael Gresalfi is the Vice Commander of American Legion Post 247, Poolesville, MD. He entered the Army as an enlisted man, was promoted to NCO, and then to commissioned officer. His active duty assignments included Chief of Security, U. S. Army Intelligence Center and School and Counterintelligence Team Leader, U.S. Intelligence and Security Command, within the Readiness Training (RedTrain) Office. Michael also spent some years in the Army Reserves, supporting Middle East terrorism counteraction activities.
He is currently in the Washington, D. C. area where he serves as a Washington, D.C. Coordinator for Environmental Programs.
Jerry Hadder served in the U. S. Army Chemical Corps at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland, during 1970-71. he designed and operated the Army's first pilot scale incinerators for disposal of nerve agents. An Energy Division staff member telecommuting from Arizona, he now performs studies of the cost and petroleum refinery impacts of proposed changes in gasoline and diesel fuel quality.
Howard Hubbard, Environmental Protection & Waste Services Division
Howard was commissioned in 1971, in the Army Infantry through the Reserve Officer’s Training Corp (ROTC) while attending the University of Tennessee. In July 71 he transitioned into the Aviation branch and attended the U. S. Army Helicopter School at Ft. Rucker Alabama.
Upon completion of the school, he served a tour in Korea (Oct. 72 - Nov. 73 with the 128th “Tomahawks” Assault Helicopter Company. After Korea, he returned to the U. S. Army Helicopter School as a flight instructor and Commander in the advanced division teaching UH1 “Huey” transition, helicopter tactics and nap of the earth (NOE) flying techniques. Howard departed the Army in May 1975 and became a Union Carbide employee at ORNL. Howard currently works in the Office of Environmental Protection. Shortly after returning to Tennessee, he joined the Tennessee Army National Guard. Howard is currently assigned to N Troop 4/278th ACR as a UH 60 “Blackhawk” pilot.
Mark W. Kohring, Office of Nuclear Safety
A native of Perrysburg, Ohio, Captain Mark W. Kohring received his commission upon graduation from the U. S. Naval Academy in June 1973. He entered the Navy Nuclear Power Program and completed the training at the Nuclear Power School in Bainbridge, Maryland, and the Navy Prototype Training Unit in West Milton, New York.
Captain Kohring's sea duty included assignments as Reactor Controls Assistant, Electrical Assistant, and Main Propulsion Assistant on USS HADDOCK (SSN 621), Damage Control Assistant and Weapons Officer on USS FLASHER (SSN 613), Assistant Engineer on USS PERMIT (SSN 594), and Navigator/Operations Officer on USS GEORGE C. MARSHALL (SSBN 654). His shore duty tours included the Submarine Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Poseidon Submarine Inertial Navigation System School, and a tour as a Company Officer at the U. S. Naval Academy.
Resigning his active duty commission in 1982, Captain Kohring was commissioned in the Naval Reserve in Knoxville, Tennessee, and was initially assigned to the Naval Control of Shipping (NCSO) program. He was a member of the NR NCSO MED/AFR 409 unit for seven years, the last three as Executive Officer. He consecutively served as Commanding Officer of NR Trident Refit Facility, Kings Bay; NR NCSO WAFR 409; NR EMORY S. LAND (AS-39) 309; NR Naval Research Laboratory Science and Technology 108; and NR COMSUBLANT 206. He retired from the Naval Reserve in February 1999.
Captain Kohring is employed by the Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory where he is the Director of the Office of Nuclear Safety. He received a Master's Degree in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1987.
Captain Kohring has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (2), the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation ribbon, and various service awards. He is married to the former Marsha Read of Madison, Tennessee. They reside in Knoxville, Tennessee, with their three children; two sons, Wesley and Shelby, and a daughter, Kasey.
Robert N. Nodine, Instrumentation and Controls Division
Robert Nodine served in the United States Air Force for 6 years and 7 months from December 1966 to July 1973 when he received a Honorable Discharge. He was a Non-commissioned Officer reaching the rank of Staff Sargent. Most of his military career was spent as a radio communications specialist with the Ground Electronics Engineering Installation Agency (GEEIA). He installed communications facilities throughout Southeast Asia, first as a team member and later as a team chief. After spending four years in that theater, he returned to the U.S. and was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach Florida. At the time of his discharge Robert had over 6 years of active military duty and was not required to serve in the reserves after
discharge. He choose not to participate in the reserves and ended his m ilitary career at discharge.
C. Wayne Parker , ORNL Engineering Division.Wayne served in the United States Air Force from March 12, 1968, to December 8, 1971. During his 4-year enlistment he became an Honor Graduate of the Instructor Training School at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS, and helped instruct over 200 students in the repair of inertial and Doppler navigation electronics systems on C130, C141, C5 and F4 aircraft. He also was one of the first Air Force instructors on the C5's Malfunction Detection, Analysis, and Recording System. Parker received an Honorable Discharge as a Staff Sergeant on December 8, 1971, taking advantage of an "early out" to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in June 1974.
In March 1976, while working as an engineer in civilian life, Parker joined the United States Navy Seabees (Reserve) and served with the 24th RNMCB detachment in Knoxville. He was subsequently granted a Direct Commission from the Secretary of the Navy and served as the battalion's Engineering Officer, Embarkation Officer, Public Affairs Officer, and Assistant Alpha Company Commander. During Parker's 6-year enlistment, RNMCB-24 was twice rated the Number One reserve Seabee battalion in the United States. He received an Honorable Discharge as a Navy Lieutenant in 1983.
C. Wayne Parker is now a Registered Professional Engineer and Certified Energy Manager in the ORNL Engineering Division, has been at ORNL for 10 years, and works in Building 2518 as the ORNL Energy Manager.
Charles Phillips, Office of Safety & Health Protection
Charlie retired in 1989 after 20 years with the U. S. Army Medical Service Corps. His many assignments included Chief of Preventive Medicine, Chief of Environmental Health and Engineering, Industrial Hygienist, Environmental Science Officer, and Epidemiologist in support of 35 different military installations, 5 hospital medical centers, two regional laboratories and the U. S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency. He served as an industrial hygienist at the U. S. Army Safety Center, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Ft. Detrick Biological Warfare Defense Center, Military District of Washington, Letterkenny, Tobyhanna and w Cumberland Army Depots. While in Europe he supported three Army Medical Centers and the 10th Medical Laboratory. Major Phillips graduated with honors from the Army's Command and General Staff College and the Army's Medical Service Corps Advanced Officers School. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritoroius Service Medal, 3 Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal and the Expert Field Medical Badge, National Defence Medal, Overseas Award and service ribbons.
"A great way of life! Proud to have served."
Specialist Pointer served in the U.S. Army from 1989-1991 as a Military Police Officer at Fort Stewart, Georgia. She was assigned to the Provost Marshals Office as a traffic accident investigator and as deputy court clerk. She was awarded the Army Accommodation Medal, Amy Service Ribbon, and the National Defense Service Medal.
Missy is currently a Control Center Assistant in the Laboratory Shift Superintendent's Office.
Bill Rich, Manager of the ORNL Security Department
Bill Rich culminated a 30 year career with the United States Air Force in 1987 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Rising from the enlisted ranks, Colonel Rich's assignments in the Air Force were diverse in both breadth of responsibility and geographic location. A decorated Vietnam veteran (two Bronze Stars), he served two tours as a Squadron commander, twice in roles as a major command headquarters staff officer, and twice as a member of headquarters Inspector General teams. His final military assignment was as Deputy Commander of an overseas Security Police Group which was recognized in both 1985 and 1987 as the "Best Security Police Group" in the USAF. In 1986, Colonel Rich was named the first winner of the Air Force's "Billy Jack Carter Award" which recognized the one Air Force member who contributed the most to the advancement of the Air Force Security Police career field.
Jim served in the USAir Force from 1962 to 1966. While in the Air Force, he was stationed at Barksdale AFB, Lousiana in the aerial recon group; went from there to a TDY in Vietnam and from there to Wiesbaden, Germany also in an aerial recon group.
Mark began his military career as enlisted marine serving with the Combat Marine Reserve Unit in Knoxville. . After serving 3 years Mark obtained a commission in the U.S. Army where he served 3 years on active duty as a 1st Lieutenant in the Transportation Corps. During active duty, he served as an executive office/Platoon Leader for an Airfield Departure control Group Unit for strategic deployments. While serving on active duty Mark was deployed to numerous stateside locations to include Alaska, and overseas to Honduras. Following active duty Mark was assigned to the 489th Civil Affairs Battalion in Knoxville for seventeen years. Major Robbins has spent more than 24 years in the military and is a Gulf War Veteran. During his 24 year tenure, Major Robbins has performed humanitarian and civil affairs support missions in Southwest Asia. Mark is currently assigned to the 1077th Reinforcement Training Unit in Knoxville and is awaiting the results of the LTC Board.
Philip F. Spelt, Senior Research Scientist, Human-Systems Research Group, Cognitive and Information Science Section, Computer Science & Mathematics Division
Philip Spelt served in the U. S. Army from November 1959 through January 1962 as a clerk-typist/chaplain's assistant at Headquarters Company, Antillies Command, Ft. Brooke, Puerto Rico. He played baseball, softball, and basketball for the Army against the Navy, Marine and Airforce installations on the island. Philip was discharged as an E-4 (Spc. 4th class).
Dr. Spelt is currently a research scientist with the CSM Division, doing research on integration of vehicle intelligence and telematics for the DOT. The "old" picture was taken in San Juan, Puerto Rico during his tour of duty there. Dr. Spelt also provided a "new" picture to show that he hasn't changed very much in the last 40 years.
Art Wayland, Chemical Technology Division
Art entered the service in Aug 1966. This was a time when the Vietrnam offensive was building up. He took Basic Training at Amarillo Air Force Base in Amarillo, Texas and spent four years two months and twenty one days active duty. He was honorably discharged in late September of 1970 as a Sargent. His job was a heating system specialist assigned to engineering squadrons, primarly "Red Horse" a combat engineering force.
Art is assigned to Chem Tech division as a Design Technologist and has been in the engineering field for 37 years. He is currently on loan to HFIR helping with their upgrade program.
Wes Wysor, Development Engineer, I&C Division
U. S. Navy from 1973-1979. Wes was an Electrician's Mate on the USS Virginia (CGN-38), a Nuclear Guided Missile Cruiser.
Veterans Day at ORNL Guest Speaker
Colonel Bruce Isham was born in Emory Gap on September 12, 1932. He graduate from South Harriman High School and attended Tennessee Technological Univeristy. In March 1952 Isham enlisted in the U. S. Army and served in Germany with the Army Security Agency before separation in 1955 wiht the rank of sergeant. In April 1957, Isham entered the Tennessee Army National Guard Unit at Rockwood and received a direct commission to second lieutenant in September 1957. He later received the rank of captain and commanded the Rockwood company from 1963 to 1969. He served in various staff positions at battalion and brigate levels and was promoted to major.
Isham served as the executive officer of a mechanized infantry battalion for three years prior to his promotion to lieutenant colonel in 1978 and command of the first squadron 278th armored Calvary regiment in Athens. He was transferred to the executive officer of the 278 ACR in Knoxville in 1983 and was appointed as commander and later promoted to colonel in 1985. He served in that position until his retirement in January 1990.
During his years in service, Isham's decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorius Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Tennessee Distinguished Service Medal, Armor Leadership Draper Award, the Bronze Order of Saint George Medallion, honorary member of the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment, and National Guard Bureau appointed as chairman of the Armor Executive Committee.
Isham's civilian employment was with Martin Marietta at Oak Ridge National LAboratory for 37 years, where he worked in the Budget and Accounting departments for 33 years and four years as the Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Biology Division. Isham is married to the former Anneliese Buller and lives in West HIlls in Harriman. The couple has two sons, Charles who lives in Greenville, SC and Donald, who lives in Colorado Springs, CO.
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