THE 43rd LEGACY LIVES ON WITH SPECIAL AWARD FOR RECENTLY ENLISTED PERSONNEL
Airman Taylor Montanaro: June, 2021
Member Joan Lincoln donated a generous $1,000 gift in honor of her Dad, James E. Lincoln,who during WWII was a US. Army Air Force Captain, Pilot and Flight Commander, 1944-1945. He was also a Veteran of the Korean War. Jim and his wife, Doris, enjoyed attending several 43d annual reunions in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s and reconnecting with friends.
In memory of her Dad, Joan tasked us with giving this generous gift to a high school student who was entering military service. Earlier this spring, we found the perfect candidate.
Airman Taylor Montanaro is the great-granddaughter of 43d veteran Sergeant Major Robert G. Swan. Taylor graduated basic training out of Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX on September 3rd, 2020. She then proceeded to tech school at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, TX to complete her AFSC training as Air Crew Flight Equipment (AFE as a three level). She graduated tech school on December 3, 2020, and was stationed at Altus Air Force Base in Altus, OK.
She wrote, “I decided to join because my father is retired United States Marine Corps, my uncle was Air Force, both my godparents are retired Air Force and my Bompa (great grandfather) was retired US Army. I always felt a higher calling for myself just as they had. To help others and seeing their service and sacrifice I knew that is what I wanted to do from a very early age, 4th grade.”
Taylor’s Mom told us “she was so excited to hear that she was blessed with this generous service award because of her great grandfather’s service in the 43rd Division. She admired him and always looked up to him and hopes that he’d be proud of her and what she’s doing today: following in his footsteps serving.”