November 11th marks the day in which America pays tribute to its veterans. The RV lifestyle is about freedom, something that is possible because men and women answered the call and served in uniform.
For Tom Bellomy, who retired from a 20-plus career in the Navy in 1997, this lifestyle is calmer and more serene than his military career. He saw action in duty stations such as the Gulf of Mexico, the Virgin Islands, Honduras, Scotland, and the Azores, many of the countries in Europe, the Suez Canal and the Persian Gulf.
“It's the people we meet along the way, and the excitement of the travel,” Bellomy said of his RV lifestyle. “Beautiful sites to visit, and just kicking back in the outdoors. No need for watching the clock, just relax and enjoy the sites and sound of the outdoors.”
Bellomy grew up in Ashland, Kentucky, a mining town.
“There wasn't much work here and after pumping gas for two years I joined the Navy in 1977 looking for a future,” Bellomy recalled. “It was tough leaving my wife and daughter as often as I did, but they understood and supported me every step of the way, even all the moves we had to make.”
For him, military service was a legacy passed down to him by his father, who also served in the Navy.
“It was an honor to follow in his footsteps,” he said. “I was proud to serve my country.”
Bellomy trained to be an Electronics Technician and served at the Naval Air Station in Bermuda. He also served on the Guided Missile Destroyer USS Semmes (DDG-18), and the Destroyer Arthur W. Radford (DD-968).
He was stationed for four years at the Joint Communication Support Element at Mac Dill Air Force Base, “responding as ordered by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.” Bellomy was also an electronics instructor at the Fleet Training Center in Norfolk, Virginia.
The Bellomys Jayco trailer. Photo by Tom Bellomy]
“After retirement from the Navy, my experience in electronics helped me to land my civilian job with BOSE electronics as a repair tech on the production lines,” he said.
Bellomy is proud of his military service and spends much of his time with the Patriot Guard Riders.
“We ride our motorcycles to Veteran ceremonies that honor veterans that have passed, retired and others who have served,” he said.
The Bellomys, and their dog Bella, have been RVing for six years. Their current rig is a 28 ft. Jayco travel trailer.
“Now that I have retired we will be in the road more often,” he said. “Some of our favorite places to travel to include Points West Army Recreation area in Appling, Georgia. We also have enjoyed River Park campground in Jonesboro, Tennessee, River Park in Dillard, Georgia, Great Outdoor Campground in Franklin, North Carolina, and Myrtle Beach Travel Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
It was the Air Force that brought Sandra and Terry Buxton together. Both were assigned to at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Sandra served for 10 years, from 1981 – 1991 and Terry served for 20 years, from 1981 to 2001.
Avid campers, the couple began their RV adventures about four and a half years ago.
“We started camping as a couple and family early in our marriage,” Sandra explained. “We have a 35’ 5th wheel, with a rear kitchen and it only sleeps 2.”
Their favorite place, so far, is John Martin State Park in Colorado. The lifestyle holds much appeal to the Buxtons.
“We’re able to get away from home and the daily rat race, enjoy the outdoors with home comforts, Sandra said. Another perk is the opportunity to “meeting new and exciting people who enjoy at least one of our passions.”
Both Sandra and Terry value the time they served in the military. She resigned to raise a family and be a stay at home wife and mother. He continued to hone the skills necessary to gain civilian employment after discharge.
“I feel like I gave back to the USA,” Sandy said.
Her husband Terry said serving meant “that I made a difference.”
Although the couple does not typically do anything special on Veteran’s Day, it is a day that honors their service to country. Originally called Armistice Day, it is celebrated on Nov. 11. It was on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour in 1918 that peace was signed to end World War 1.
In signing the proclamation for the first Armistice Day celebration, then President Woodrow Wilson said: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…", according to the history documented by the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
Sandra and Terry Buxton's rig. [Photo Credit: Sandra Buxton]
Nationwide Destinations to Honor Veterans this Veteran's Day
Arlington National Cemetery – Arlington, VA: The final resting place for more than 250,000 veterans, Arlington National Cemetery hosts ceremonies every year which include the laying of the wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns.
Liberty Memorial – Kansas City, Missouri: The Liberty Memorial is housed at the National World War I Museum and is dedicated to the fallen soldiers of that war. The museum hosts a ceremony every year that includes the laying of a wreath, keynote speakers and music performances.
National World War II Museum, New Orleans, Louisiana: This museum is part of the sonian Institution family and displays the history related to World War II. Artifacts on exhibit here are a B17 Flying fortress.
National Veterans Art Museum – Chicago, Illinois: This museum offers a unique perspective on service to country from the eyes of artists who were members of the military and served in wartime. Permanent exhibits include the Above and Beyond Memorial made up of dog tags of fallen Vietnam veteran that hang from the ceiling.
Navajo Nation Veterans Memorial Park – Window Rock, AZ: This site pays tribute to the Navajo Code Talkers who were instrumental in developing a code based on their native Dineh language that proved to be unbreakable in World War 2.
Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum – Mount Pleasant, South Carolina: The home of the several United States Navy vessels, including the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier, USS Laffey, USS Clagamore submarine, the site also houses the Cold War Memorial and the Medal of Honor museum.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument -Jimez Springs, New Mexico: The Veterans Memorial Trail is a wheelchair accessible one-mile loop trail on site at the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. The Veterans’ Memorial Scenic Overlook is dedicated to all American veterans and provides views of Camada and Peralta Canyons, the Dome Wilderness and Jemez Mountains.