Road Ambassadors TENTS FOR TROOPS
Ed and Catie Ketel
My friends Ed and Catie Ketel just recently retired from an animal clinic they started nearly 35 years ago. The clinic was always very busy. Even though they had an amazing staff, it was difficult to truly get away and impossible to get away on a whim. After retiring, Ed and Catie are about to embark on a lengthy tour of the U.S as Tents for Troops Ambassadors. This pic is of Ed and Catie at a T4t BBQ we did at the Coast Guard Station in Depo Bay Oregon. Ed and Catie are an extremely fun and charismatic couple and I believe they will be signing up many new RV Parks and campgrounds for T4t. Ed and Catie are also world class chefs, can’t forget that. I’m honored to have them as amazing friends. -Charlie Curry
Trevor Wilson
US Navy SEAL 2006-2016, currently a full time RV’r and Tents for Troops board member
My name is Trevor Wilson. Tents for Troops is near and dear to my heart, especially after 6 combat deployments to the middle east. In 100% honesty, these deployments changed me, as a person, as a man, and as an American. I'll never be the same kid that left the farm in Ohio at 17 years old. War is ugly, war is brutal, and war changes you. On all my deployments, I was taken care of by complete strangers, pre-school teachers, churches, children, and people that didn't care about anything except making it better. When I did my time, finished my contract, and said goodbye to everything that had become a normality, I knew that in whatever way possible, I needed to give back. Charlie Curry found me, almost right away when I moved up to Washington state from San Diego. We met, we talked, and instantly we were on the same page. In a cheesy, emotional way, it was my calling, and my turn. In my dreams I'd love to make Tents for Troops a household name among Active Duty Military. When someone returns from months, even years overseas the transition back into the family life or the civilian world can be just as tough as the deployment. They come back home different. In many cases, they must rekindle a relationship with a significant other, get to know their children again (or meet them for the first time) and transition back into a stateside routine. By giving these families the opportunity to load up and go on a free camping trip, it lightens the stress load and gives these veterans a little time to focus on what matters most. The program survives on volunteered time and various donations. This isn't a plea for help but more of a reaching out to your company to see if there is any way you might consider donations of any size, either in cash or in-kind donations to help us in our efforts to make an RV vacation available to those who have our backs. Thank you, your time is very much appreciated. In late 2016 Trevor left the Navy, got Married and started a Family. Trevor remains a die hard T4T volunteer helping staff T4T booths at numerous trade shows and BBQ's nationwide. Not only has Trevor donated a great deal of his time but a great deal of cash as well. This year Trevor donated his "Birthday on Facebook" which raised over $1500 for T4T alone. Thank you Trevor for all that you do for T4T and for your friendship.
Vice Admiral Kenneth Floyd
Commander US Navy Third Fleet, retired
SAN DIEGO - Vice Adm. Nora Tyson relieved Vice Adm. Kenny Floyd as commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet during a change of command and retirement ceremony held on Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) while pier side at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego July 24. During the ceremony, Floyd retired from active duty after 35 years of honorable naval service. He assumed command of U.S. 3rd Fleet in May 2013. Under Floyd's strategic vision, 3rd Fleet expanded its influence and contributions across all maritime lines of operations, theater security cooperation, experimentation, disaster relief, and joint operations. At sea, Floyd served in several F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft squadrons, including tours with the Jolly Rogers of VF-84, the Grim Reapers of VF-101 as an instructor, and the Red Rippers of VF-11. He participated in Operation Desert Storm while serving as a department head with the Starfighters of VF-33. He served as the executive officer and subsequently the commanding officer of the VF-32 Swordsmen. Other sea tours include executive officer of USS Constellation (CV 64) and deputy commander of Carrier Air Wing 7 where he participated in Operation Enduring Freedom. Ashore, Floyd served on the staff of Naval Space Command, as aide to the commander and subsequently as flag lieutenant, Commander, Carrier Group 8. He served as chief staff officer on the Fighter Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet staff and completed a tour on the staff of the U.S. military representative to the NATO Military Committee. He was the deputy operations officer on the staff of Joint Task Force Southwest Asia; chief of staff to Commander, Naval Air Forces; director, Aviation and Aircraft Carrier Plans and Requirements (OPNAV N880); deputy director, Air Warfare Division (OPNAV N88B); commander, Strike Force Training Pacific; director Air Warfare Division (OPNAV N88); director, Warfare Integration (OPNAV N88F); and as assistant deputy chief of naval operations, Warfare Systems (OPNAV N9B). Floyd reflected on his career while thanking his peers and the men and women of the U.S. Navy. Two years ago Vice Admiral Floyd " Pink " retired and hit the road with his amazing Wife Debbie. Pink and Debbie are full time RV'ers and have visited much of the country in there 45 foot Allegro Bus. Pink joined T4T at the RVIA show in Louisville and recently spoke on behalf of T4T at the ARVC Winter Forum in Scottsdale AZ. If anyone would like to meet Pink he will be staying at the Toutle River RV Resort a week or two in September. We love you Pink !!
