Concord woman’s ‘anything’ included military career, returning home

LAUREL — Carolyn Alt of Concord gave her first Veterans Day speech at Laurel-Concord-Coleridge School last week.

She was told she could talk about anything. So “anything” was the focus of her remarks.

“I want to remind the students they can do anything,” Alt said.

In her “anything” story, Alt graduated from Laurel-Concord High School in 1972 and then enlisted in the Air Force, working as a telecommunications center specialist from 1973-78.

She was in the Air Force during the Vietnam War but did not serve there. Over her five years she was stationed both in Spokane, Wash. and Sembach, Germany.

After active duty, she enlisted in the Air National Guard and served for 15 years in the San Francisco Bay area while also working at Lockheed Martin.

In summer 2018, she returned to her Northeast Nebraska roots.

“I was in the military and it took me to RECOG different places in the world for 45 years and then I returned home,” she said. “You can go out in this world but you can always go home.” As part of last week’s Veterans Day

As part of last week’s Veterans Day program, the LCC band and choir provided patriotic musical selections, and the Laurel American Legion & VFW presented the colors. Veterans in attendance were also recognized for their military service to the country.