Andrew Ooms - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series

Mickey Strand - Veterans Series

Betweeners

Click on Veteran's photo to see their service story. These Warriors served during times between major conflicts

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where can I donate?

I have created a way to accept donations to grow the project, use the WWII Veterans Portrait Series Go Fund Me.

Where are you located?

I live in the San Diego area but have traveled to many locations to interview and photograph Veterans.


How Long is an Appointment?

Appointments usually last an hour. But please free up time for Mickey to set up lights and cameras, hold the interview, and take some still photographers for in the project.

Do you accept reservations?

Yes is the simple answer to the question. Each appointment is set up as an individual session. Group sessions have been set up when I visited a senior living facility or many of the California Veterans Homes.

Copyright © 2024 Mickey Strand – Veterans Series
US ARMY PFC Andrew Ooms was born on October 3, 1938, and served in the US Army Infantry. Andrew had graduated from Corsica High School in Corsica, South Dakota, and decided to pursue a degree in Engineering. Andrew received his Army draft notice while attending College at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. During the semester break, Andrew decided to volunteer to join up early. Andrew attended boot camp in Fort Riley, Kansas. Home of the 1st Infantry Division. He completed boot camp and was assigned to the 1st Battalion 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry division in Kansas. While training with the unit, there was a request for band members to join the company band, and Andrew called up his dad and asked him to ship him his trombone. The Unit was preparing for deployment to Germany from Aug 58 until Jan 1959, when Andrew was accepted into the 18th Infantry band. Andrew was an infantryman and never converted to a musician but continued Temporary Duty with Company C, aka the Band, for the remainder of his service. They had morning individual practice and afternoon group practice playing for local activities. Andrew participated in a small group playing for Christmas parties. He and the unit were reassigned to Germany with the 1st Battalion 18th Infantry 8th Inventory division in January 1959. The unit loaded onto the USS William S Buckner, a troop ship landing in Germany and moving to their station in Mannheim, Germany. Andrew operated in Germany until the end of his service in July 1960. The 22-man band played mostly marches and was lent to many activities throughout Germany to foster goodwill in the local community. They played local festivals and even at some bear garden events, as well as the commands intramural activities on base and even a few early morning Happy Birthday songs at the general's quarters. Andrew returned to school after completing his obligated service, earning a degree in English and Mathematics. He became a federal security investigator and later a labor relations negotiator.
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Andrew Ooms - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US ARMY PFC Andrew Ooms was born on October 3, 1938, and served in the US Army Infantry. Andrew had graduated from Corsica High School in Corsica, South Dakota, and decided to pursue a degree in Engineering. Andrew received his Army draft notice while attending College at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. During the semester break, Andrew decided to volunteer to join up early. Andrew attended boot camp in Fort Riley, Kansas. Home of the 1st Infantry Division. He completed boot camp and was assigned to the 1st Battalion 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry division in Kansas. While training with the unit, there was a request for band members to join the company band, and Andrew called up his dad and asked him to ship him his trombone. The Unit was preparing for deployment to Germany from Aug 58 until Jan 1959, when Andrew was accepted into the 18th Infantry band. Andrew was an infantryman and never converted to a musician but continued Temporary Duty with Company C, aka the Band, for the remainder of his service. They had morning individual practice and afternoon group practice playing for local activities. Andrew participated in a small group playing for Christmas parties. He and the unit were reassigned to Germany with the 1st Battalion 18th Infantry 8th Inventory division in January 1959. The unit loaded onto the USS William S Buckner, a troop ship landing in Germany and moving to their station in Mannheim, Germany. Andrew operated in Germany until the end of his service in July 1960. The 22-man band played mostly marches and was lent to many activities throughout Germany to foster goodwill in the local community. They played local festivals and even at some bear garden events, as well as the commands intramural activities on base and even a few early morning Happy Birthday songs at the general's quarters. Andrew returned to school after completing his obligated service, earning a degree in English and Mathematics. He became a federal security investigator and later a labor relations negotiator.