Tag: Fairchild AFB

As part of my continuing tribute to Spokane area Veterans, This portrait is to honor my fellow veteran, close personal friend and brother in Christ, Bennett Traylor (Tray).

I met Tray twenty years ago at the Base Chapel at Fairchild Air Force Base after I returned from a deployment.

I’ve continually been impressed with Tray’s willingness to help others, his outgoing personality and cheerful disposition even in adverse situations. I admire him not only for his service to our country, but his ongoing service to our veterans in the community through the VA and also to me personally. This portrait is a small token of my appreciation for all he does! God bless you brother, Tray!

(Presentation Photos: https://romeroartwork.com/2019/12/06/trays-portrait-presentation/)

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Veteran Bio:

Name: Bennett Traylor
Service: USAF
Dates Served: December 1971 – January 1992
Rank: MSgt
MOS/AFSC: Civil Engineering
War: Vietnam
Medal: Achievement Medal
Stations:
Sheppard AFB TX; Dyess AFB, TX; Guam; Thailand; Vietnam (Linebacker II – ‘72-‘73); Little Rock AFB, AR; Korea; Travis AFB, CA; Bergstrom AFB, TX; Yokota AB, Japan;
Retired from active duty at Fairchild AFB, WA.

Best part of serving: All the friends made – Enrichment of life.

Worst: Dealing with racist individuals.

If you had to do over again what would you do differently?
I would have volunteered for more overseas assignments and Texas.

What would you say to a young person considering the military?
It’s the best place to grow up to learn about discipline and responsibility.

Tray continues to serve the community and fellow veterans – He currently works at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Facility.

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Step-by-step painting process

Video