Beech Tree News Network

Connie Holman Greathouse is the oldest daughter of James and Melba Holman of Provo, KY. Connie attended Butler County High School, and while studying health occupations in school, it became clear that nursing would be her calling. At the age of nineteen, Connie enlisted in the United States Air Force to obtain the G.I. bill and the opportunity to go to college. Connie signed up for a delayed enlistment in 1976, the year the WAFs (Women in Air Force) ended, and women were allowed to enter the USAF as equal members and enter career fields previously not open to women. In early 1977, Connie took the oath of enlistment in Montgomery, AL and left for basic training at Lackland AFB, TX. After basic training, Connie then completed a 570-hour aircraft electrical systems technical training at Chanute AFB, IL and received her permanent assignment to the 3211th Field Maintenance Squadron, Eglin AFB, FL.  In the early years of Connie’s assignment to the 3211th electric shop, there would be only a handful of women working the flight line on a wide variety of aircraft assigned to the Armament Development and Test Center. This assignment allowed Connie the opportunity to work on a variety of USAF aircraft such as the F-4, F-15, F-111, A-7, A-10, T-38, C-130, and UH-1N.

During Connie’s time in service, she was named Outstanding Field Maintenance Technician of a quarter and nominated as Outstanding Airman of the year. Connie completed her service time as a sergeant (E-4) and was honorably discharged in 1981. Connie returned to KY where she then used the G.I. bill to attend WKU to obtain her Bachelor’s in Science of Nursing. Connie has worked as an RN for the last 34 years and is thankful for the opportunity her time of service in the USAF afforded her.

Connie and her husband, Ricky Greathouse, live in Provo and enjoy spending time with their family of three grown sons, their spouses and seven beautiful grandkids.

Connie would like to say thank you to all the veterans and their families that have served and sacrificed so that we may all enjoy the freedoms of this great country. Connie would also like to thank the VFW Auxiliary for honoring her this Veteran’s Day.

Veteran of the Year, Sharone Nash, joined the Army August 1966 till August 1968.  Basic training was at Ft. Campbell.  His unit was the first ones to sleep in the barracks there since WWII.  After Ft. Campbell he was sent to Ft. Dix, NJ for Quartermaster school and finished his training at Ft. Lee.
Sharone was sent to Vietnam, not as a clerk, which he was trained for, but to be a Door Gunner on a helicopter.  He flew 1700 hours during the war.  He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Army Accommodation Medals.
He has served as Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5837 since 1998.  He continues to serve fellow veterans by driving the VA Van to Nashville and Murfreesboro, to their appointments for the last 14 years.
We thank him and all Veterans for their service.