Mike Calloway:
CLASS OF 1971
Frankfurt American High SchoolClass of 1971
Frankfurt,
Heidelberg Elementary School (Mark Twain Village)Class of 1971
Heidelberg,
Ozark Junior High SchoolClass of 1971
Ozark, AL
Frankfurt American High SchoolClass of 1970
Frankfurt,
Deyton Elementary SchoolClass of 1970
Spruce pine, NC
Mike's Story
Started life in Spruce, NC, Moved to Marion, NC attened first grade at Glenwood Elementary. Dad went back in the Army and moved to Columbus, GA in the 4th grade. Back to Spruce Pine for the last few months of 4th Grade when Dad was assigned Heidelberg, Germany. August of 62 Mom and I joined Dad in Germany and lived in Plankstadt for a year before moving Patrick Henry Village. Left Heidelberg in summer of 65, with 2 new brothers, for Ft Rucker, AL. Then back to Spruce Pine when Dad was preparing togo to Viet Nam. Attended 8th grade in Deyton Elem. and then moved to Avery county for 9th attending Crossnore H.S. On Dads return from 'Nam we moved to Aschaffenburg, Germany for 8 months and then moved to Hanau where we remained until graduation from Frankfurt American H.S. in '71 ... Grad Ceremonies were held in a most appropriate place ... The Frankfurt Zoo.
We returned to the States ... Dad was assigned recruiting duty in Bethlem, PA ... CULTURE SHOCK FOR ME after having spent 6 years of my youth in Germany ... I got a job and earned enough money to buy a one-way ticket to Frankfurt ... I had $20 in my pocket when I arrived "back home". Got a job working in an NCO club, rented a room and after 5 months realized it just wasn't quite the same and headed back to the world (USA for the non brats).
I returned to Pennsylvania ... a few days later I hitched a ride with Dad for an "interview" in town. Unbeknownst to him until we reached his recruiting office ... he was the interviewer . Less than a week later I was at Ft Dix, NJ immersed in Basic Combat Training.
June of '72 I was assigned to The 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) at Ft Myer, adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery in our Nation's Capitol. Following Infantry AIT at Camp A.P. Hill I was assigned to 3rd platoon, Bravo Company of The Old Guard where I participated in numerous funerals in Arlington and various ceremonial duties in and around DC. All third platoon members were the short guys ... First Platoon, the tallest 6'2"+ ,were escort or marching platoon ... Second Platoon, at 6'-6'2", primary duty was casket platoon ... ME at 5'12"(almost 6') I was assigned to a firing party for the 21 gun(rifle) salute with the rest of the little guys. I remained in Bravo company for almost a year then I volunteered and was selected as a sentinel at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier (now in this ever politically correct world renamed Tomb of The Unknowns). ...Expand for more
I departed Tomb duty as Commander of the 3rd Relief (You guessed it ... 3rd relief was the short guys) and started working in the public affairs office writing for the battalion news letter "The 3rd Word" and designing Bicentennial promotional materials for the battalion.
Getting the itch for civilian life I moved to Knoxville, TN, studied theater tech at UT before returning to active duty, in '79 to work for the Office of The Army Chief of Public Affairs at the Pentagon for just over 2 years. I then spent the balance of my Army career with the U.S. Army Band (Pershing's Own) back at Ft Myer as their Director of Publilc Affairs and Production.
Highlights of my military career:
Author John Godey (Taking of the Pelham One, Two Three) shadowed me at work while doing a character development study for his book "The Talisman" set mostly in Arlington Cemetery involving the kidnapping/theft of a national treasure.
Technical advisor on the film "Gardens of Stone" directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Set at Ft. Myer and Arlington National Cemetery during the Viet Nam era.
While awaiting inaugural ball ceremonies to begin ... M.C. Hammer and Nelson Mandela approached me at the same time to ask questions about the U.S. Army Band. Figuring MC knew Mandela and that Mandela had no idea who MC was ... I introduced them and we chatted for a few minutes....Right place at the right time ... a once in a lifetime experience.
Production Coordinator for Reba McEntires Christmas Special with Vince Gill and Trisha Yearwood featuring The U.S. Army Band, Strings and Chorale.
Producer, The Joint Armed Forces Inaugural Orchestra and assistant to Quincy Jones for "An American Reunion" HBO Special for Clinton's in '93 broadcast live from the Lincoln Memorial.
I retired in '97 and have since lived in Nashville, Back in DC , Indianapolis, St. Joseph Missouri and am back in the DC area... currently with The French International School (Lycee Rochambeau) in Bethesda, MD. And I am playing in a band for the first time in over 30 years - "002".
My children ...Lauren Anne(31), is a librarian at the U.of Pittsburgh and also a very talented artist and web designer.
Joeseph Gilbert "Gip"(28), completed 6 years in the Navy, and completed grad school in '08 and has his own commercial real estate investments firm. He and his lovely bride, Kelly have a beautiful Baby Girl, Kate Marie born of 26JUL07 and are expecting another in NOV '09
Register for Free to view all details!
Reunions
Register for Free to view all events!
Photos
