AVON VETERAN OF THE MONTH - RALPH ANDERSH

September’s Avon Veteran of the Month is Ralph Andersh. Andersh served for 20 years of active duty in the Navy. He is a Veteran of the Gulf War and Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. At the young age of 17, Andersh enlisted in the Navy on November of 1978, but was not actually active duty until August 28th, 1979 when he turned 18. Andersh had a choice from three different locations as to where he wanted to attend basic training. He had the choose between Orlando, FL; San Diego, CA; and Great Lakes, IL. Andersh chose to attend basic training in Orlando. After basic training came Navy A School, where he was trained as a Navy Quartermaster. AQuartermasterintheNavyhasmanydutiesincluding being responsible for the safe navigation of the ship; bridge watch duty; find, fix, use and stow navigational and oceanographic charts and publications; monitor and record the weather; ensure that there is reliable communication with other vessels and land stations; maintain navigational instruments and keep correct navigational time; performs honor ceremonies; send and receive visual messages; etc.