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Vietnam vet reflects back, looks ahead to Memorial Day By DAWN SLADE In 1966, Gary Judd joined the United States Army and became a helicopter pilot. Heıs been flying ever since. The Milaca High School graduate attended St. Cloud State University for engineering three years prior to joining the service. But he didnıt obtain his degree and, since one was needed to join the Air Force, Judd joined the Army instead. He became a helicopter pilot, and after a year of flight school Judd did a one-year tour in the Vietnam war. ³I would just as soon fly over a rice patty, than walk through one,² Judd said of Vietnam. Part of the First Cavalry Division, Judd flew gun ships the first 10 months of the war. Helicopters were the primary mode of transportation in Vietnam and it was the first time the military used helicopters that extensively in war. Judd flew Hueys and Cobras, both of which fired rockets. ³It can get real stressful,² Judd said of flying in a war. His tour of duty earned him a Bronze Star. Judd also earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts in helping a landing zone area that was being overrun during the night time hours. Judd spent his last year in the Army as a flight instructor at Fort Wolters, Texas where he trained to become a pilot. Though he didnıt run into any ³bad times² when he returned from the controversial war, Judd did say the conflict was pretty unpopular by the time he was done serving in the military. Judd then spent the next six summers flying helicopters for prospectors and geologists in the Yukon and Northwest territories in Canada. Thoughts on Iraqi war Judd feels the war in Iraq went very well. ³I think we have excellent leadership,² Judd said of the president and the administration. ³The president allowed military personnel to handle it [the war], not like ıNam,² Judd added. Protesters during the Iraqi war troubled him more than the protesting that took place prior to the war. ³It bothers me. Everyone has their right to speak out and protest, but once the war started, that was the time to get behind the war and the people fighting it rather than protest it,² he added. Juddıs father also flew in a war. Chester Judd flew B-17s in World War II. But unlike his father, Judd continued to fly after his time in the service was over. Judd lives within walking distance of the Milaca airport where he teaches others how to fly. His flight school currently has two Cessnas and a 1948 Stinson that he uses to train others who have a love for flying. He has students as young as 16 on up to 60 years old. Though the minimum is 40 hours of flight time to become licensed, Judd says most people average between 55-60 hours before they can obtain a pilotıs license. The barriers are money and time. ³Most are middle-aged people who have wanted to fly all their life and can finally afford it,² Judd said of his clients. The most hair-raising experience was in the service while he was a flight instructor. A marine lieutenant froze up on the controls and Judd had to take control of the plane. ³I donıt remember him flying again after that,² Judd says. Besides teaching others to fly, Judd is also a licensed air frame and power plant mechanic for airplanes and helicopters. He has a passion for flying and says, ³The experience of being in the air, controlling a machine that can take you off the ground...² Needless to say, Judd is flying whenever the weather allows him. But on Monday, May 29 you wonıt find him in the air. Instead youıll find Judd participating in area Memorial Day ceremonies reading off the list of deceased vets at local cemeteries. Judd says heıs grateful for the number of people who show up at the cemeteries each Memorial Day. ³People seem to be more appreciative than during the Vietnam era,² Judd said.
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