WAR ON TERROR / GULF WAR

The veterans featured within this section represent the newest generation of Rye men and women to answer the nation’s call to service. Their stories span the years following the Vietnam War through the Persian Gulf War, the Global War on Terror, and military operations that continue into the present day.

Unlike the generations that served in World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, the history of these veterans is still being written. Many continue to serve in the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and the Reserve components. Others have recently completed their military careers and returned home to continue serving their communities in countless ways.

The veterans represented within this section have served throughout the world. Some deployed during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Others served in Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and countless locations around the globe during the Global War on Terror. Many participated in humanitarian missions, peacekeeping operations, homeland defense, intelligence activities, and deployments that may never become part of the public record.

They have served in every branch of the Armed Forces—the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force—as well as the National Guard and Reserve components. They have been infantrymen, aviators, sailors, special operators, engineers, intelligence analysts, medics, military police, communications specialists, logisticians, mechanics, and members of countless other professions that make modern military operations possible.

Like every generation before them, these veterans came from the neighborhoods, schools, churches, playing fields, and workplaces of Rye. They are our classmates, teammates, neighbors, friends, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters.

Unlike the earlier sections of RyeVets, this category is intended to be a living history project. Many of these veterans are still with us, and no one can tell their stories better than they can themselves.

For that reason, veterans of the Persian Gulf War, the Global War on Terror, and all post-Vietnam military operations are encouraged to participate directly in the creation of their own biographies. Military service is deeply personal, and each veteran should have the opportunity to decide how that story is preserved for future generations.

Some may wish to provide only a brief summary of their service. Others may choose to include photographs, military records, awards, deployments, newspaper articles, family history, or personal reflections. There is no single format. This is your page, and your story should be told in your own words.

RyeVets exists to preserve the history of military service within our community. The biographies of earlier generations were assembled through years of research, newspapers, military records, yearbooks, family archives, and historical documents. This generation has a unique opportunity to help write its own history while memories remain fresh and records are readily available.

The story is still being written.
The history is still being made.
The next chapter belongs to those who served.

If you are a veteran who grew up in Rye or has called Rye home and served our country during the years following Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, the Global War on Terror, or in military service continuing through the present day, we encourage you to become part of this living history project.

RyeVets.org exists to honor the men and women of Rye through an ever-growing collection of military biographies that preserve their stories for future generations. Unlike earlier generations whose histories often had to be reconstructed from newspapers, military records, and family archives, today’s veterans have the unique opportunity to tell their own stories in their own words.

Whether your service included overseas deployments, stateside assignments, reserve or National Guard duty, humanitarian missions, peacekeeping operations, or support roles that never made headlines, your service is an important part of Rye’s history.

Veterans are encouraged to include whatever they wish in their biography. Some may choose to provide a brief overview of their military career, while others may wish to include photographs, awards, deployments, family history, personal reflections, or stories from their time in uniform.

After all, it is your page.

To help ensure the historical accuracy and integrity of RyeVets, eligibility is verified before a biography is published. We ask interested veterans to connect with Tim Moynihan, a lifelong Rye resident, retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, and officer of Rye American Legion Post 128.

To establish honorable military service, Tim will simply need to review a DD-214, discharge certificate, or current military identification card. He is also available to help veterans organize and write their biographies, and welcomes the opportunity to assist anyone who may not know where to begin.

Please do not hesitate to contact him:

Tim Moynihan
Rye American Legion Post 128
timmoy@aol.com

Thank you for participating in this groundbreaking effort to preserve the military history of Rye. Every biography added strengthens the historical record and ensures that future generations will know not only that these veterans served, but who they were.

If you have questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact:

Chris Maloney
Executive Director
www.RyeVets.org
Email: Chris@RyeVets.org

Those who came before preserved our freedom.
Those who serve today continue that tradition.
Their stories deserve to be preserved as well.

Help us preserve the next chapter of Rye’s military history.

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