Portrait of a Hero – Richard Brinkley

Richard Brinkley, also a Korean veteran, was a law enforcement officer and later in healthcare. He entered the Army at age 19 because as he says “I wasn’t ready for college.” Because of his high scores, he went to Officer Candidate School and became part of the 82nd Airborne. He was sent to Korea in 1968 as a Platoon Leader responsible for forward patrolling to the DMZ going out late in the afternoon to reinforce positions and the towers. He later became a Company Commander and was responsible for his sector of the DMZ.

During January 1968, 31 North Korean commandos disguised as South Korean soldiers crossed the DMZ to assassinate Korean President Park. The result was 28 North Koreans killed, one captured. There were 68 South Koreans killed and 66 wounded. Three Americans were killed and three wounded. In July of that year, North Korean soldiers ambushed one of his patrols killing one American soldier and wounding another. Richard said “One never knows when or where the North Koreans will strike.” He commented on life in the DMZ “It is manned 24/7 and nightly patrols are conducted.” During his time in Korea he lost people. He commented that he still could not speak about those losses, but said “Korea is the forgotten war.” “There is no bullet with your name on it – it only says ‘to whom it may concern’.” He said that the Korean tensions continue today.

He retired in 1971 as a Captain and went into law enforcement in San Mateo, CA. for 6 years. He earned a Masters degree in Public Administration and taught at a community college and Belmont College. He went on to become the Finance Director for Blue Cross and finished his career as the Vice President of a medical device company. 

We closed our time together with his advice on service. “Service is not only in the military. It is in service to your community and to people.” He continues to serve the community today.


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Good morning from the Arizona Heroes Memorial at Naranja Park in beautiful Oro Valley, AZ! Today we're announcing that on Wednesday, February 19th we will be hosting a Navy Week celebration at the Memorial. The event will be held starting at 1500 hours (3:00 pm) and is open to the public. The US Navy representatives describe the event as follows:
"Navy Week proclamations are a wonderful way for the Navy and local communities, like Oro Valley, to come together and celebrate the Navy being in the city. It provides the Navy a chance to showcase our Navy Band Southwest and USS Constitution Color Guard team, while also recognizing Vietnam War veterans of all services and our U.S. Navy Gold Star family members in the Tucson area. Additionally, the community has the chance to engage with hometown Sailors and Sailors from one of our namesake assets."
Please plan to join us on February 19th!
... See MoreSee Less

Good morning from the Arizona Heroes Memorial at Naranja Park in beautiful Oro Valley, AZ! Today were announcing that on Wednesday, February 19th we will be hosting a Navy Week celebration at the Memorial. The event will be held starting at 1500 hours (3:00 pm) and is open to the public. The US Navy representatives describe the event as follows:
Navy Week proclamations are a wonderful way for the Navy and local communities, like Oro Valley, to come together and celebrate the Navy being in the city. It provides the Navy a chance to showcase our Navy Band Southwest and USS Constitution Color Guard team, while also recognizing Vietnam War veterans of all services and our U.S. Navy Gold Star family members in the Tucson area. Additionally, the community has the chance to engage with hometown Sailors and Sailors from one of our namesake assets.
Please plan to join us on February 19th!Image attachment

And the ribbon gets officially cut, opening the Arizona Heroes Memorial to the public! ... See MoreSee Less

And the ribbon gets officially cut, opening the Arizona Heroes Memorial to the public!

Hello from the now open Arizona Heroes Memorial! We recently held our Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting ceremony, attended by well over 500 supporters and members of the community! We had a number of dignitaries in attendance, and the ceremony was beautiful, including a fantastic Color Guard presentation and a very moving flyover of two F-16 Fighter Jets! The Memorial looks beautiful, and the attendees were very pleased and impressed during their initial tour after the Ribbon Cutting. Thank you very much to all of the many volunteers that made the ceremony possible. We could not have held such a great event without you! We hope to see you at the Memorial site very soon! ... See MoreSee Less

Hello from the now open Arizona Heroes Memorial! We recently held our Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting ceremony, attended by well over 500 supporters and members of the community! We had a number of dignitaries in attendance, and the ceremony was beautiful, including a fantastic Color Guard presentation and a very moving flyover of two F-16 Fighter Jets! The Memorial looks beautiful, and the attendees were very pleased and impressed during their initial tour after the Ribbon Cutting. Thank you very much to all of the many volunteers that made the ceremony possible. We could not have held such a great event without you! We hope to see you at the Memorial site very soon!Image attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment
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