Today’s Star Spangled Salute honors Marine Veteran Art Bloomer.  In 1977, when Art was a student at Kansas State Teachers College, the school that became Emporia State, he received some advice from his basketball coach.  He told Art that there was only one way to stay in school and that was to join the Marine Reserves.  Art did that and went on to teach Navy aviators how to fly fighter jets.  Art deployed to Vietnam twice, flying 330 combat missions.  He was on the U.S.S. Midway during the evacuation of Saigon, an experience Art calls heart wrenching.  At the end of his 31 year military career, Art retired a Brigadier General and was decorated with the distinguished flying cross.  Thank you for being a teacher Art, and THANK YOU for your service.