60-year-old retiree volunteers, goes to Iraq

[unhappycamper]

60-year-old retiree volunteers, goes to Iraq
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Nov 10, 2008 14:38:39 EST

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Maj. James Richards Jr. thought his 22-year Army career was done when he retired in 1993. But when the military called, the 60-year-old volunteered for another hitch and deployed to Iraq.

The Fayetteville Observer reported Monday that Richards, a married father of five with several grandchildren, deployed to Iraq two months ago to become the headquarters company commander for the Fort Bragg-based 44th Medical Command.

“As corny as it may sound ... I was wanting to serve the country again, and I felt like I was still mentally and physically in good enough shape to do that,” Richards said in a telephone interview from Iraq.

Richards, of Huntsville, Ala., started his military career during the Vietnam War and retired at age 45. But when the Army started a program about four years ago to welcome back volunteer retirees in good enough shape to return to active duty, Richards offered to return.

Last fall, the Army called.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_army_retiree_111008/%2e