Staib, Robert L.

Robert L. Staib interviewed by Britney Thomas for the “Preserving History Project”:

“For my veteran project, I interviewed Robert L. Staib, former Captain in the United States Air Force. By the end of his service, he had fought in the Vietnam War and the Cold War as a fighter pilot and a forward air controller. He received a Distinguished Flying Cross, seventeen Air Medals, an Air Force Commendation Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal, and an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon. He flew in over at least sixteen countries.

He was brave and courageous in all his endeavors. From this project, I learned what a hero really I learned that my grandfather is a hero because he was willing to sacrifice his life for the freedom of people he didn’t even know. I also learned about the deep love he felt for my grandmother and mother.

Most importantly, I learned that heroes don’t just do great things, they do them with great motives. If my grandfather had gone into the service for glory, he would not have been a hero. He went into the Air Force knowing he might die because he wanted to preserve and spread freedom, a freedom that I sometimes take for granted. This is a freedom that must be fought for. This project taught me about Robert L. Staib and about my freedom.”