By By JAN GRIFFEY / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- Fulton Moore has the day off from work on July 4 and plans to spend it with his family. He wants to have a nice supper and perhaps find a fireworks display to enjoy.
However, for Moore, a Niles City Police Department lieutenant, July 4 is much more than just a day off from work. It's much more than an ordinary holiday.
Moore spent an entire career -- from August 1965 to March 1990 -- with the U.S. Army Green Berets. He served in Viet Nam and later spent 15 years in the Middle East and Africa.
Niles City Fire Chief Larry Lamb never fought in a war. However, he served from 1986 to 1990 in the U.S. Air Force in fire protection at Nellis Range near Las Vegas, Nev. Lamb worked with the F-117A Stealth Fighters, also known as Night Hawks.
Lamb and others in the Niles Fire Department planned to work at the Niles Chamber-sponsored fireworks display Thursday night. He said he and his family will spend Independence Day with friends.
Niles Public Works Director Neil Coulston served in Viet Nam with the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1970.
Coulston said he will spend the day with family, celebrating Independence Day, as well as his 53rd birthday, which is July 5.
City Administrator Terry Eull and his family are camping with friends near Ludington this Independence Day holiday.
Eull served in the U.S. Air Force for four years and spent a year in Viet Nam.
Tom Dawson, assistant manager of the City of Niles Utilities Department, plans to spend the holiday with his family.
Dawson's a reserve officer with the City of Niles Police Department and also planned to work July 3, helping with the Niles fireworks display.
He was drafted in July 1966, spent a year in the states at different training centers and was sent to Viet Nam in April 1967.
Dawson returned home in April 1968, bringing with him two Bronze Medals, which he earned for bravery.
For Dawson, the Independence Day holiday is one meant to remind Americans of the sacrifices others made for our country.