SPC Lester Abele

Army | Communications Center Specialist

Dates of Service: Oct 1972 - Oct 1974

VETERAN

73% Complete

4 Endorsements

33 Contacts

Influence Score: 17,136
3,508 out of 865,849 Veterans

About Discussions

Promotions

Oct 72
Mar 73
Jul 73
Nov 73

Recent Activity -

Bio

Zanesville High School - Class of '70; Ohio University - Retail Business Mgmt + manager trainee @ Buckeye Mart; promoted to Store Management team @ Buckeye Mart thru '76; AABCO Industries & Swinging Display Co - founder, owner, operator, CEO ['76 thru '89]; Commercial fleet sales for Ford Motor Co + 5 dealers ['89 thru 2000]; CWV-Dept of Ohio State office mgr ['01 thru '03] V1ST-OH ['05 & current] Founder AABCO Industries & Swinging Display Company 1976 thru 1989 - retail floor planning services manufacturing & marketing nationwide. Closed and liquidated business due to divorce. Went to work for Ford Motor Company - corporate & 5 dealers - Commercial Fleet Sales [ 1989 thru 2000] State Office Manager for CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS [CWV] - DEPARTMENT OF OHIO 2000 - 2003. CO-FOUNDED W/3 OTHER s/c disabled Vietnam vets 2005 for 501.c.3 V1ST-OH

Military Experiences

Jun 1973 - Oct 1974

05F20 & 71T20

Co A, 13th Signal Btn, 1st CAV | Fort Cavazos, TX

the "LAST DRAFTEE" U.S. military history - lottery #95 - inducted 25 Oct 1972 - then President Nixon announced to Nation 24 Dec '72 to stop draft & keep selective service going. Triangle 'chatter talk' on hilltop - West of Chu Lui - then assigned to Co A - 13th Signal battalion - 1st Cavalry Division - FORSCOM @ Ft Hood, TX; injured simulated combat - war games - 1st CAV vs 2nd AD - cross trained from Communications specialist to TAMMS Clerk - motor pool dispatcher [71T20] Battalion "SOLDIER of the MONTH" Sept '73 + TDY - Personal Body Escort remains of fellow soldier I mentored as Chaplain Assistant PTSD suicide to his hometown + donate one gallon O+ blood to base Red Cross. TODAY - I am trained as veterans' advocate - CSO, VSO, NSO for DAV-OH-12 & VETERANS FIRST [OHIO] co-found 2005