Recruiters honor veteran’s career Published Oct. 17, 2013 By Annette Crawford Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- An Air Force enlisted accessions recruiter in Eugene, Ore., was so impressed with a World War II veteran that he decided to find a way to honor him. So on Aug. 29, retired Chief Master Sgt. Tom Phelan was surrounded by family, friends and admirers as the guest of honor at a ceremony celebrating his accomplishments. Staff Sgt. Zachary Atkinson of the 361st Recruiting Squadron thought honoring Phelan was the right thing to do. He said everyone was on board with the idea and excited to be a part of it. "Tom is getting up there in years and his memory is not so good anymore," Atkinson said. "I thought he deserved to have something nice to recognize his career. People like Tom laid the groundwork for people like me and I wanted him to know we appreciate that." The ceremony was held at the Air Force recruiting office in Eugene. Phelan was accompanied by his daughter, Euphemia Wesley, and her husband, along with his caregiver, Memory Toman. Phelan was an electrician and a bombardier during his 26-year career. He was stationed at several bases on the West Coast, Japan, Arizona and Florida, before ending his career at Bunker Hill, Ind. During the Korean War, he worked on aircraft electrical systems, and he also deployed to Georgia during the Bay of Pigs invasion. "He was a remarkable airplane electrician, able to solve electrical problems no one else could figure out," Toman said. Presentations were made by 1st Lt. Joshua Jones, 361st RCS RCS Operations commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Andrew Sites, 361st RCS superintendent. Jones spoke about the value of enlisted members, and Sites talked about what it meant to be a chief master sergeant. "Tom really enjoyed the ceremony. I think his favorite part was the cake. He seemed to appreciate all of the things we did," Atkinson said.