
John 15:13
Featuring Artwork by Antonio Romero
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/)
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.
My wife and I went to the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center today to honor a fellow Veteran, Madison Palmer Jr. and present him with a portrait I made as a small token of appreciation for his service to our country.
I presented this portrait to Michael O’Flaherty, USMC veteran at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in recognition of his service to our country.
Veteran Bio:
Name: Michael O’Flaherty (Mike)
Hometown: The Bronx, NY
Service: USMC (1955-1959)
Rank: Sergeant
MOS: 1811 Tank Crewman
Joined the service at 17, in 1955 after the Korean War.
Mike has been volunteering at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane, WA since 2011
The portraits of these two Medal of Honor recipients were donated by Antonio Romero to the Spokane VA Medical Center (Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center).