Al Masters - Peacetime Service - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series

Mickey Strand - Veterans Series View More Photos Skip to Main Content

Peacetime Service

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 © 2025 Mickey Strand – Veterans Series
United States Army Specialist Four (SP4) Peace Time Service Born on November 20, 1931, Al Masters grew up in Boston. While attending Boston College for his undergraduate and graduate degrees in math and education, he received his draft notice. He was on a deferment from the draft while attending school, which allowed him to complete his degree. He taught math classes at Columbus High School in Boston and attended night classes to pursue his master’s degree. After graduation, he reported to the draft board, where he received his order to report in December and was inducted into the Army. He reported and was shipped off to Fort Dix, New Jersey, for basic training. After being allowed to return home for a Christmas break, he returned to Fort Dix and finished boot camp. Upon graduation, he and a few privates were loaded into an aircraft one night and flew to El Paso, Texas to attend school at the U.S. Army, Anti-Aircraft Artillery and Guided Missile Center at Fort Bliss. Private First Class Masters was assigned to the 4054th SU Missile Comand. PFC Masters’ typing skills, honed while in college, led to an assignment as a typist and company clerk. He performed these office duties for the remainder of his time on active duty. The Army had a program guaranteeing an early discharge if you had secured employment, and Al was hired at Bowie High School in Bowie, Texas, and was honorably discharged in September 1956 to start the school year at Bowie High. After a few years of teaching, the opportunity arose for Al to work with the local IBM office. He learned on the job at night and was offered a chance to move to Los Angeles. He also worked at Electro Data, wiring up pin boards. He returned to teaching in Boston, met and married Linda, and they have two children.
mickey,strand,photograph,nikon,Z8,portrait,VPS,veteran,california
Al Masters - Peacetime Service - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
United States Army Specialist Four (SP4) Peace Time Service Born on November 20, 1931, Al Masters grew up in Boston. While attending Boston College for his undergraduate and graduate degrees in math and education, he received his draft notice. He was on a deferment from the draft while attending school, which allowed him to complete his degree. He taught math classes at Columbus High School in Boston and attended night classes to pursue his master’s degree. After graduation, he reported to the draft board, where he received his order to report in December and was inducted into the Army. He reported and was shipped off to Fort Dix, New Jersey, for basic training. After being allowed to return home for a Christmas break, he returned to Fort Dix and finished boot camp. Upon graduation, he and a few privates were loaded into an aircraft one night and flew to El Paso, Texas to attend school at the U.S. Army, Anti-Aircraft Artillery and Guided Missile Center at Fort Bliss. Private First Class Masters was assigned to the 4054th SU Missile Comand. PFC Masters’ typing skills, honed while in college, led to an assignment as a typist and company clerk. He performed these office duties for the remainder of his time on active duty. The Army had a program guaranteeing an early discharge if you had secured employment, and Al was hired at Bowie High School in Bowie, Texas, and was honorably discharged in September 1956 to start the school year at Bowie High. After a few years of teaching, the opportunity arose for Al to work with the local IBM office. He learned on the job at night and was offered a chance to move to Los Angeles. He also worked at Electro Data, wiring up pin boards. He returned to teaching in Boston, met and married Linda, and they have two children.