Each year since the 46th Race, the official starter has been selected as a veteran of our armed forces. This year’s Official Starter is: Vern Young
Biography:
I was born on March 11th, 1947 in Remus, Michigan where I still resident with my wife of 56 years, Vera. In June 1967, I was inducted into the Army in Fort Knox, Kentucky. After basic training, I was sent to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey for Weapon Support Radar Repair Training. Upon completion of that training, I was sent to Fort Campell, Kentucky to await for further orders.
In March of 1969, I received orders for Vietnam. After arriving in Daiu Tieng, Vietnam, I was told they didn’t have any weapon support radar. I was then sent to Long Bin for one week of training in Anti-Personnel Radar. When I returned to Daiu Tieng, I was assigned to an infantry unit to repair their radar. I never saw the radar that I was originally trained to repair.
I was honorably discharged from the Army in March of 1970. At that time, I was awarded the Army Accommodation medal and bronze star. It is an honor to represent my Vietnam Veteran Brothers and all other veterans by starting this race.