Thomas Shelby Davis was an Army veteran for eight years and wanted to serve this country because of the love he had for it. He had a military family including his dad and all of his brothers who all served this country proudly. Thomas told his children, “It was a great learning experience and I wouldn’t change anything from those eight years. A chance to serve your country you love makes you proud to be an American.” He had said that the military had changed his life, to help him to structure his life in a good direction, taught him how to be better at talking to people, and for him to be able to talk to all different types of people at the same time. Thomas was in the Vietnam Era, but not in combat. He had gone to basic training as they were told they might have to go to war. “Training was hard, and I learned that I had to take more than I thought I could. You had to be strong, the weak were discharged, and only the strong survived.

Thomas had said during the interview that the 2 most memorable experiences he had was going to Germany, being able to see Europe, and being with his two brothers in Germany at the same time. “I always tell everyone you need to serve your country and be a Proud American,” said Thomas. When asked why he chose the service branch he did, he had said that it was a family tradition to be in the US Army. At only 17 years old, Thomas had enlisted in the army and the first person he made sure to tell was his brother, Bill Davis. He enlisted using early enlistment, and he had to ask his mother to sign paperwork. He had been deployed 3 times, first in Fort Leonard Wood for 3 years, second was in Fort Carson for 2 years, and lastly he was deployed in Bamberg, Germany for 3 years.

The most important thing he has from his deployment are the memories of the places he had gone to like, visiting the castles in Germany and being able to visit Greece and Italy. There are 3 people that Thomas had become friends with while in service. Bill Vance, who he keeps in touch with and talks too, Terry Watson, who now lives in North Carolina, and Marilyn Raines, who he had met in Fort Leonard Wood and still talks to as well.