Sidney Native, Retired Air Force Lt. Col. John Armstrong to Speak at Veterans Museum

Information provided

TROY — Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Armstrong, a Sidney native and 1966 graduate of Sidney High School, will share the story of his 26-year military career during a presentation at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at the Miami Valley Veterans Museum, 2245 S. County Road 25-A, Troy.

​

   Armstrong originally planned to become a high school history and government teacher after graduating from Ohio University with a degree in history, inspired by Sidney High School teachers Mrs. Fogt and Mr. Linker. Those plans changed during the Vietnam War when he received a draft lottery number of 96.

 

   Rather than wait to be drafted into the U.S. Army, Armstrong enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. After completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, he served three years as a military training instructor before beginning a career that took him and his family to eight Air Force bases across the country.

 

   During his presentation, Armstrong will discuss his military career, how the armed forces evaluate service members for leadership opportunities, and how those experiences prepare men and women for leadership roles.

 

   Following his Air Force retirement, Armstrong returned to the Miami Valley to be closer to family. He earned a master's degree in history from Wright State University and spent 14 years there as an archivist and graduate faculty member. Among the collections he considers his favorites are the Aviation Collection, the Wright Brothers Collection and the Congressman Tony Hall Collection.

 

   The Miami Valley Veterans Museum will open at 8 a.m. on Aug. 5. Refreshments will be provided by the Miami County Veterans Services Commission.