Honoring History & Service: How This Duluth Veteran Keeps Serving His Fellow Veterans

Patrick Shaw's story starts like many others: He graduated high school in 1965 at age 17, and everyone he knew who was 18 was going to Vietnam one way or another. He ended up getting drafted into the Navy and clung to his goal of being a photographer.

He spent 7 months on an anti-submarine surveillance carrier as the ship's company photographer, and then he thought he was headed to Hawaii for leave — only to be told he was needed for training for the Apollo 11 recovery.

He directed photographers and ran a video camera for coverage of the Apollo 11 recovery and then he was charged with directing photographers on the flight deck and above for the Apollo 12 recovery. (Apollo 11 was the first time humans landed on the moon, including Neil Armstrong becoming the first man to walk on the moon. Astronauts spent more time exploring the moon's surface in Apollo 12.)

Here's a look at him sharing his story in his own words:

He got to witness some amazing moments in history first-hand. Shortly afterward, he was decommissioned, but his service to his country and his fellow service personnel didn't end. He’s told his stories and shared his photos with hundreds of kids, inspiring our younger generations.

He also has served as Commander of DAV 6, St. Louis County, for about three years.

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) offers free assistance to veterans of any age, as well as their families and survivors. Their work spans generations and includes help navigating VA benefits, assistance transitioning to civilian life, and transportation to VA medical appointments. Commander Shaw himself has logged 10,206 miles and 672 hours driving 545 veterans to and from medical appointments in the last 4 years.

Commander Shaw has really lived a remarkable life dedicated to serving, and he's still going strong. Get to know your local DAV. To learn more, visit dav.org.