Brian Hopf
Service Officer - Navy
As a young fellow, having just graduated high school in May of 1966 and looking at the definite possibility of the military draft destined for Vietnam, I quickly decided to do some things my way. I signed up for the US Navy and hoped for a tour on the largest ships the Navy had in the fleet. You see, I grew up in Arizona and was not at all sure how I might take to the big, blue oceans. My first assignment following "boot camp” was at Naval Air Station Agana, Guam Island (not quite the big carriers but not too bad). Following that 18 month tour, I was assigned to the USS Yorktown (CVS-10) which was home ported in Long Beach, CA. This carrier picked up the Apollo 8 Moon mission following the historic "first space flight around the moon”. Shortly thereafter, the ship was being decommissioned in Norfolk, VA. We made the trip from the West coast to the East coast around the tip of South America; stopping in several exciting places along the way. Up until now, the Navy was pretty awesome, however, my next assignment was aboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) super carrier which was currently sailing off the coast of Vietnam and that meant a flight half way around the world landing in the Philippine Islands and then a very short flight out to the carrier (not so cool). My final 2 years were on the flight and hanger decks crews, moving aircraft of various kinds up and down the flight and hanger deck. All of which was very exciting.
Following my enlistment I began a career in Telecommunications with AT&T, Western Electric & Bell Labs. My lifelong partner entered my life & 47 years later we are still together. Our relocation to North Carolina took place in 1983 where our two boys were raised. They’re now grown and my wife & I have two beautiful granddaughters in our family.
Being retired, I now have the time, and some energy left, for giving back to this great country of ours. I have chosen the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Wake Forest, NC as the vehicle. VFW Post 8466 is a fantastic group of guys working together, having fun and making good things happen for our returning veterans in need.
We are always welcoming new faces, talents and the same desire to give a little something back. So come join us for a meeting or two to see if you might enjoy the trip as well.
