My Dad was a Veteran and this is My VETERAN'S DAY Story about Him. Master Chief, Donald Kildoo Dr. Dawnie Kildoo I grew up in a military family. As a dentist in Green Valley, I help take care of many veterans Their stories-and sacrifices-have inspired me to now share my dad's story on this Veteran's Day. The reason I am so passionate about being a dentist is because of my father, who was a Master Chief in the United States Navy. He served in the Seabees during the Korean War When stationed in the Philippines, he was working high up on a telephone pole, repairing the line, when a typhoon struck. The storm hit with such ferocity that it blew him off the pole where he hit the ground some 60 feet below. Some days later when he woke up in the hospital bed, he realized he had no teeth because he had broken them all. Here he was 20 years old and the doctors had taken out all his teeth I grew up watching my father struggle to eat. His dentures never really fit wel. He wasn't able to have a healthy diet. He couldn't chew fresh broccoli or have salads. Meat was difficult for him. My mother did her best in overcooking the vegetables, tenderizing the meat and adding spices, but his nutrition definitely suffered. There are statistics that show that people who don't have all their teeth live 10 to 20 years less. My father died at 60. Being brought up in a military family, I understand the sacrifices our veteran's make, not just during their service, but all their lives. And that sacrifice continues within families as well. I became a dentist because of my father. I honor his sacrifice to our country. And today, on Veteran's Day, I honor all the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families on behalf of our country Dr. Dawnie Kildoo Legacy Smiles My Father's Legacy... LEGACY SMILES 261 W. Duval Road, Green Valley, AZ 520-625-0131 of southern Arizona www.LegacySmilesAZ.com My Dad was a Veteran and this is My VETERAN'S DAY Story about Him. Master Chief, Donald Kildoo Dr. Dawnie Kildoo I grew up in a military family. As a dentist in Green Valley, I help take care of many veterans Their stories-and sacrifices-have inspired me to now share my dad's story on this Veteran's Day. The reason I am so passionate about being a dentist is because of my father, who was a Master Chief in the United States Navy. He served in the Seabees during the Korean War When stationed in the Philippines, he was working high up on a telephone pole, repairing the line, when a typhoon struck. The storm hit with such ferocity that it blew him off the pole where he hit the ground some 60 feet below. Some days later when he woke up in the hospital bed, he realized he had no teeth because he had broken them all. Here he was 20 years old and the doctors had taken out all his teeth I grew up watching my father struggle to eat. His dentures never really fit wel. He wasn't able to have a healthy diet. He couldn't chew fresh broccoli or have salads. Meat was difficult for him. My mother did her best in overcooking the vegetables, tenderizing the meat and adding spices, but his nutrition definitely suffered. There are statistics that show that people who don't have all their teeth live 10 to 20 years less. My father died at 60. Being brought up in a military family, I understand the sacrifices our veteran's make, not just during their service, but all their lives. And that sacrifice continues within families as well. I became a dentist because of my father. I honor his sacrifice to our country. And today, on Veteran's Day, I honor all the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families on behalf of our country Dr. Dawnie Kildoo Legacy Smiles My Father's Legacy... LEGACY SMILES 261 W. Duval Road, Green Valley, AZ 520-625-0131 of southern Arizona www.LegacySmilesAZ.com