Hampton Heroes: Interviews with veterans help students gain perspective

In 1969, the U.S. Army drafted 20-year-old David Augustine and eventually assigned him to a unit patrolling highways along the coast of South Vietnam.

“One morning, he and his platoon could hear a battle going on in the distance,” Brooklyn Fitzsimmons, his granddaughter, reported. “They all got into their tanks and began to move in that direction,”

Augustine’s was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, knocking him to the ground.

“When it was noticed that he had fallen off the tank, his platoon and the medics went back to get him,” Brooklyn said. “As the medics arrived, he was going in and out of consciousness. When he woke up, he found himself in a hospital and wasn’t sure he had lost any limbs, but he knew he was thankful to be alive.”

Brooklyn, a sixth grader, was one of three Hampton Middle School students selected to speak during the Hampton Heroes event on Nov. 4, sharing what they’d learned by talking with people who served in the military. The other students were seventh grader Josie Lattimore and eighth grader Piper Foose.

“Our history teachers asked their students to interview a veteran, in order to gain a better understanding of the sacrifices and the commitment these young men and women have made for our country,” Marlynn Lux, middle school principal, said.

Piper interviewed Ron Foose, her grandfather, who served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He drew the assignment of a helicopter gunner.

“Once, when he was on the side of a helicopter, they were getting ambushed. He had to disconnect his gun and run away, but a grenade got set off,” Piper said. “The only reason he survived today is because he went headfirst instead of feet first, and the shrapnel hit most of his legs instead of his head.”

Josie’s subject was Neal Ervin, her father’s cousin, who joined the Navy at age 25 and served from June 2011 to November 2021.

“Neal was inspired to join by his grandfathers, who both served in the Korean War and taught him to love his country,” she said. “Neal also wanted to utilize the free college tuition program that is offered for members of the military.”

For most of his enlistment, he was stationed in Norfolk, Va., as a nuclear reactor operator.

“The part of Neal’s interview that connected with me the most was when he said he had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world while being in the military,” Josie said. “Neal told me that he wouldn’t have met these people otherwise, and some are still his closest friends today.”

After Ron Foose’s injury, he remained on duty for another year and had attained the rank of lance corporal at the time of his discharge, as his granddaughter learned during their conversation.

“I think the part that resonated with me most is what he had to do for his job. He was almost always in danger while on duty, and that’s crazy to me,” Piper said. “I learned just how much veterans go through, even after war, and how strong they are for doing what they did to protect our country.”

For Brooklyn, talking with her grandfather enhanced her understanding of how important the military is for the United States.

“I also realize that veterans may face many mental and physical challenges,” she said. “It is amazing that my Pap can walk today, considering how badly he was wounded. I am very thankful that the medics and his platoon went back to him and saved his life.”