LIFESTYLES -- FEATURE SPOT, Madison, Madison County Record, News, Z - News Main
 By  GreggParker Published 
10:27 pm Monday, December 18, 2017

Ray Helstrom served in U.S. Naval Reserve

MADISON – Ray Helstrom entered the U.S. Naval Reserve in active duty in November 1951. He served until his release date in October 1953.

Helstrom completed Basic Training at Naval Station Great Lakes, which is the home of the United States Navy’s only boot camp. The facility is located in the vicinity of North Chicago, Ill. Commands that are operational from this site include Recruit Training Command, Training Support Center and Navy Recruiting District Chicago.

He was stationed at the Joint Forces Training Base, which is a joint base in Los Alamitos, Calif. This base is the site of Los Alamitos Army Airfield. Covering 1,319 acres, the base employs 850 people full time and more than 6,000 National Guard and Reserve troops.

Helstrom attended the University of California in Los Angeles, where he earned a degree in marketing. “My family is in California,” he said. His wife JoAnn passed away in 2009.

When Helstrom ended his professional career in 1993, he retired to Huntsville.

Helstrom is a member of Forever Young Senior Veterans of Alabama. Elaine Oakes visited Forever Young Senior Veterans out of Collierville, Tenn. After returning, Elaine and friend Chris Batte decided to organize an extension of that organization here.

Forever Young Senior Veterans of Alabama locates and honors veterans with students’ greeting cards, speaking opportunities, parade appearances and movie outings. Many of these veterans served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. (www.foreveryoungseniorvets.org/Alabama)

Helstrom stays involved in the community by participating in various ‘social groups,’ he said. He also likes to meet with other veterans who are ‘alumni’ of serving in Kuwait and attending sessions organized by Forever Young Senior Veterans of Alabama.

In his spare time, writing has developed into a hobby for Helstrom.

Also on The Madison Record
Space Command relocation to Huntsville to bring area growth
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
HUNTSVILLE — Officials expect at least 1,400 jobs to be directly added to the north Alabama area with the U.S. Space Command Headquarters permanently ...
Newly elected Madison mayor to depart US Chess role
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Ranae Bartlett was named US Chess Executive Director in 2024
By JOHN HARTMANN US Chess Press 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - It is said that no one can serve two masters. And so US Chess Executive Director Ranae Bartlett is trading Caïssa for the people of Madison,...
Triana Fire Department train for medical helicopter operation
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
TRIANA – Firefighters who work in Triana Fire Department recently accomplished a new milestone in their training to serve and protect their town. On-s...
Itty Bitty Bakers sweetens the community with classes
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By KADIE TAYLOR news@themadisonrecord.com 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Sweeten your day, Itty Bitty Bakers offers baking classes for locals, from 18 months to adults. Itty Bitty Bakers owner Kayla Johnson has be...
Madison Visionary Partners to host Gather Madison, volunteers needed
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
EVENTS
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – In its premiere in 2025, the Gather Madison event will unite residents of all backgrounds at one long table for a free, shared meal in the s...
Kids to Love to go “Over the Edge” for children in foster care Sept. 19-20
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Bold, compassionate individuals will be going “Over the Edge” for Kids to Love during a thrilling two-day fundraiser where participants rapp...
The Madison Street Festival is less than a month away
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – The first Saturday in October. That’s the day Madison residents turn out to visit with friends and neighbors, promote school groups, shop fo...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *