<I>Operation Vacation is a program that brings to the Roaring Fork Valley military personnel who have fought overseas. Bob Johnson, a Realtor for Vicki Lee Green Realtors, in Glenwood Springs, coordinated with the Army to create the program that hosts soldiers in Glenwood every month. Local businesses have donated dinners, entertainment, outdoor activities, lodging and transportation for Operation Vacation participants.

This year, the program has expanded to Winter Park in Grand County and Dallas, Texas. For more information about the program, or to make donations, visit www.operationvacation.org.

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Sgt. John D. Wilkerson and his family join Operation Vacation as the grand marshals of the Garfield County Fair Parade, starting at 10 a.m. in Rifle.



Name: Sgt. John D. Wilkerson

Dale Shrull 8/10/07 spaces between every question isn't needed. bold the question and that will separate it.Age: 29

Place of birth: Salisbury, Md. I was an Army brat, so I've lived in Texas, Pennsylvania, Kansas and now Colorado.

Branch of the military and unit: Army, C Trp, 1-6 Cavalry

Family: wife, Michelle and children: Malvin, 7; Keira, 4; Kayla, 2; and Dalton, 8 months

When and why did you join the Army? August 1997; That's what I always wanted to do

Where have you been deployed? Bosnia, and Iraq (soon to be three times)

What experience in your travels overseas most surprised you? How well we have it here, especially when I was in Bosnia

First thing you'd buy after winning the lottery? A vacation for us, wherever the kids could be kids - probably Disney

What do you like to do in your free time? Woodworking, working on cars, computers, and spending time with the kids

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Just a person who knows a lot of stuff - one time I wanted to be a mechanic, another time a carpenter, and a cook.

Best piece of advice you've ever received: Don't put off whatever you can do today because tomorrow may never come.

Any tattoos? No

If you could invite anyone in history to dinner, who would they be, what would you serve and what would you talk about? George Washington; I would serve steak, potatoes and vegetables; we would discuss how it was creating the first Army.

What's the greatest invention of all time? The computer

What's your most memorable military experience: Meeting my wife

What do you like most about parades? How they come up with all the ideas for the floats

What are you looking forward to doing while in Glenwood Springs? Paragliding, going to the (Glenwood) Caverns and the airplane ride.

What do you think of the trip so far? I'm really happy how Operation Vacation has taken all of us soldiers in. It's just very exciting, and I'm happy people are concerned about taking care of the soldiers and that people care about our safety.

Favorites

Movie: "Star Wars"

Video game: Any type of racing game

Breakfast cereal: Apple Jacks

Musician: George Strait

Car: My dream car is a 1964 1/2 convertible Mustang

Food: Pizza

Color: Blue

Web site: New Egg

Sport: Football - Washington Redskins

Cartoon character: Goofy

State in the U.S.: Texas