Street Talk: Al Mackin served his country well before coming to Carson City

His name is Al Mackin. He is 78 years old and was born in Cleveland, Ohio.

"Born, raised and schooled in Cleveland," said Al as we got comfortable for our visit. "I'm a Cleveland Indian baseball fan and have been for a long time."

Al and Mary were married for 50 years.

"She passed away three years ago from a stroke," said Al as he showed me a photo of Mary. "We have two daughters. Jackie lives in Cincinnati and Coleen lives in San Francisco. I have three grandchildren and one great-grandson."

Hid dad, Frank, was a machinist for Lincoln Electric Co. in Cleveland.

"Dad passed away from heart problems in 1963," said Al. "My mom (Delores) passed away in 1987 from old age. She was 89 years old."

Al left Ohio when he joined the U.S. Marines.

"I enlisted right after Pearl Harbor," he said with a smile. "I was 20 years old."

Al served in World War II and in Korea and served for 32 years before retiring in 1973.

"During WWII, I was a navigator/bombardier on a B-25 and we flew over 50 missions during the war," he said. "We were in the South Pacific harassing the Japanese. We were stationed on the Island of Emirau. It's just a little speck in the ocean."

Al's plane was never hit and he was never wounded or hurt during the war.

"Our squadron lost three planes, but we were lucky and never got hit," he said. "My brother Frank was a Marine like me. He was killed in a military plane crash when he was 32 years old. He was the pilot and the only one in the plane, a Douglas AD, when it went down."

During the Korean war, Al was on the ground. He was a captain in D-Company, 7th Marine Regiment of the 1st Marine Division.

"I was a company commander and commanded 200 men," he said as he showed me a photo of the company. "We were a rifle/infantry company stationed up near the 38th parallel. We fought the Chinese and North Koreans."

Al says he "got lucky again" and was never hurt during the Korean War.

"I was in heavy combat and men fell in front and behind me, but I was very, very lucky. We took some heavy causalities .... It was sad. Those were not the best years of my life."

The best years came after Al got back home.

He lived and worked in many cities, including Baton Rouge, La., Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas, and a few others before he moved to Carson City in 1989.

"I had an apartment in Carson City and I was a salesman," he said. "In 1995 I moved to Gardnerville when I bought a condo. I live there now with my four cats .... My cat food bill is larger than my food bill."

He laughed at that before continuing.

"I'm a member of the Marine Corps League in Carson City and I also meet with former Marines every Tuesday morning at the Sierra Bakery in Carson City," he said. "I also meet with other Marines at the Marine Corps League. We meet every third Thursday of the month."

Speaking of meeting, I met Al because we both knew former Marine and all-around good guy David Keyes. You may remember David from a couple of these columns we did with him in the past. David used to drive that big yellow bus he converted into a motor home all over town and was one of the few who served in three wars.

"David was a real hero and a good friend," said Al. "He was a real Marine. An outstanding man. I miss him. Miss him very much."

David, who was awarded three purple hearts and many other combat medals, served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He passed away in January of 1999 in Carson City and was buried with full military honors at the military cemetery in Fernley.

AL OWNS AMFLAG

Today Al owns and operates his own company called AMFLAG in Gardnerville.

"I started the business in 1982 and I sell flags and banners and poles from home," he said. "Most of my business is done over the phone. I offer free delivery in this area and I sell to individuals, real estate companies, banks, cemeteries and to anyone who wants what I have.

"It's a business, but it's a good hobby too and it's not work. It's fun and I get to meet a lot of people. I even make a buck or two from it."

Al gets his flags "and other stuff" from four companies across the country. Call him at 265-5151 for more information. Also, any former Marines interested in learning about the Marine Corps League or the weekly meetings at the Sierra Bakery can call him at that same number.

MEMORIAL DAY PLANS

I asked Al what he has planned for Memorial Day this year and he said the day is one he is looking forward to.

"On Monday I will go with the Marine Corps League to the military cemetery in Fernley first," he replied. "Then we'll go to the Indian cemetery at Stewart and to Lone Mountain Cemetery in Carson City. We'll pay our respects and some military ceremonies will take place at all three locations .... That's how I'll spend my Memorial Day."

OUR ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY SHOW

That's what you'll see tonight when we air our Memorial Day TV show on CAT-10 at 6 p.m.

That's the show we did with the above-mentioned David Keyes, and we'll show you his many medals and decorations, get a tour of that bus, see his famous train collection and lots more during the hour show that repeats Memorial Day at 8 a.m.

- Hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend and we'll see you again next week ....

ALAN ROGERS is a Nevada Appeal columnist. His message phone is 887-2430, ext. 402.