Reco Blehr - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series

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Korean War

Click on Veteran's photo to see their service story. These Warriors served during the Korean War

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.

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US Air Force A1C Korean War Reco Blehr was born on September 13, 1932, and grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with his mom and sister. He graduated in June from Riverside High School in 1950. The Korean War had just broken out, so he enlisted in the Air Force, heading off to boot camp at Lackland Air Forces base in San Antonio, TX on 5 July 1950. After graduating from basic training, Reco reported to Scott AFB, IL, to his service school in August 1950 for Radar Technician and Maintenance School, graduating in March 1951. Reco also learned to perform Morse-Code during school but never used it in the field. After graduation, Reco was assigned to Ernest Harmon Air Force Base, Newfoundland. Airman Blehr worked for the Base headquarters in their communications center and was assigned to one of the remote transmitter sites. These sites were built on the bogs around the base. The bogs made the best electrical grounding for the communications equipment. The regular rotation for duty included changing working shifts every three days from days to nights, then to overnights, followed by three days off. While on duty, Reco inspected the transmitters and rectifiers, ensuring the proper operation of all these units. He was the first responder to repair the affected equipment if things went wrong. After a two-year tour, Airman First Class Blehr had completed his tour in Newfoundland but still had a year on his enlistment. Reco was assigned to the occupational forces at Landstuhl, Germany. Today, the airbase is called Ramstein Air Force Base. He worked for ten months at the airfield control tower, where he maintained and inspected communications equipment used to communicate with aircraft. Reco was assigned to the 1933 Airway and Air Communication Service (AACS). After ten months, his enlistment was fulfilled. He returned to the States via a flight to Boston and then to Fort Dix for out processing and discharge on 6 May 1954. Having received his honorable discharge, he returned to Milwaukee. He attended school on the GI Bill at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Reco arrived in California on July 4th, 1955, to visit his father and look for work. He then visited his sister in Los Angeles. He found work at a used tool company before working as an electronics technician for the aircraft industry in many companies, including the Douglas Aircraft Company, and a few years in technical writing for the aircraft industry. Reco earned the National Defense Service and Occupation Medal (Germany) while on Active duty.
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Reco Blehr - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Air Force A1C Korean War Reco Blehr was born on September 13, 1932, and grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with his mom and sister. He graduated in June from Riverside High School in 1950. The Korean War had just broken out, so he enlisted in the Air Force, heading off to boot camp at Lackland Air Forces base in San Antonio, TX on 5 July 1950. After graduating from basic training, Reco reported to Scott AFB, IL, to his service school in August 1950 for Radar Technician and Maintenance School, graduating in March 1951. Reco also learned to perform Morse-Code during school but never used it in the field. After graduation, Reco was assigned to Ernest Harmon Air Force Base, Newfoundland. Airman Blehr worked for the Base headquarters in their communications center and was assigned to one of the remote transmitter sites. These sites were built on the bogs around the base. The bogs made the best electrical grounding for the communications equipment. The regular rotation for duty included changing working shifts every three days from days to nights, then to overnights, followed by three days off. While on duty, Reco inspected the transmitters and rectifiers, ensuring the proper operation of all these units. He was the first responder to repair the affected equipment if things went wrong. After a two-year tour, Airman First Class Blehr had completed his tour in Newfoundland but still had a year on his enlistment. Reco was assigned to the occupational forces at Landstuhl, Germany. Today, the airbase is called Ramstein Air Force Base. He worked for ten months at the airfield control tower, where he maintained and inspected communications equipment used to communicate with aircraft. Reco was assigned to the 1933 Airway and Air Communication Service (AACS). After ten months, his enlistment was fulfilled. He returned to the States via a flight to Boston and then to Fort Dix for out processing and discharge on 6 May 1954. Having received his honorable discharge, he returned to Milwaukee. He attended school on the GI Bill at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Reco arrived in California on July 4th, 1955, to visit his father and look for work. He then visited his sister in Los Angeles. He found work at a used tool company before working as an electronics technician for the aircraft industry in many companies, including the Douglas Aircraft Company, and a few years in technical writing for the aircraft industry. Reco earned the National Defense Service and Occupation Medal (Germany) while on Active duty.