Dave's hometown was White River Jct., VT. He was a son of Antoine and Grace (Doyle) Santaw. David graduated from Hartford High School Class of 1960 and enlisted in the US Air Force as an Air Policeman in Aug 1960. After serving his country for 22 years, he retired in July 1982 and settled with his family in Wilder, VT. Dave's career assignments included a total of four tours at Loring Air Force Base, a huge Strategic Air Command B-52 Bomber base located in northern Maine, just two miles from the Canadian border. Dave served there during the height of the Cold War years. His first assignment was with the 3080th Air Police Squadron (APS) located at East Loring. His other tours were in 1966-67, then again from 1969-70. His final assignment at Loring was from Aug 1978 until he retired. Dave had several overseas assignments, including a tour at Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam where he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. Dave also served at Goose AB, Labrador; Otis AFB, MA; U Tapao AB, Thailand; Offutt AFB, NE; Plattsburgh AFB, NY; and Clark AB, Philipines. During his assignments at Loring Dave served as an Air Policeman at the Nuclear Weapons Storage Area at East Loring. He was also an Assistant Security Flight Chief; NCOIC, Corrections; and Law Enforcement Superintendent. Dave is married to wife Emily and they have three children and seven grandchildren. He enjoyed his retirement a great deal and was fond of flea markets (both buying and selling) and hunting. After retiring from military service Dave worked as a police officer at the VA Medical Center, White River Jct., VT then went into private security. After battling liver disease for a period of time Dave passed away on 2 Feb 2011. It has been said that "A man is not dead, until he is forgotten." We, therefore, create this memorial and hope that it will provide a virtual gathering place where family and friends of Dave can come to share memories, leave flowers, etc. Dave was a kind, loving and gentle man. Above all he was a professional airman--a career military man who loved his country passionately and who served it honorably and faithfully in the Vietnam War. May he be at eternal rest and peace. (Note: click on photos to read captions).
"A man who serves his country is the highest compliment and honor that can be bestowed upon a man." - Roosevelt
"A man who serves his country is the highest compliment and honor that can be bestowed upon a man." - Roosevelt
Dave's hometown was White River Jct., VT. He was a son of Antoine and Grace (Doyle) Santaw. David graduated from Hartford High School Class of 1960 and enlisted in the US Air Force as an Air Policeman in Aug 1960. After serving his country for 22 years, he retired in July 1982 and settled with his family in Wilder, VT. Dave's career assignments included a total of four tours at Loring Air Force Base, a huge Strategic Air Command B-52 Bomber base located in northern Maine, just two miles from the Canadian border. Dave served there during the height of the Cold War years. His first assignment was with the 3080th Air Police Squadron (APS) located at East Loring. His other tours were in 1966-67, then again from 1969-70. His final assignment at Loring was from Aug 1978 until he retired. Dave had several overseas assignments, including a tour at Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam where he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. Dave also served at Goose AB, Labrador; Otis AFB, MA; U Tapao AB, Thailand; Offutt AFB, NE; Plattsburgh AFB, NY; and Clark AB, Philipines. During his assignments at Loring Dave served as an Air Policeman at the Nuclear Weapons Storage Area at East Loring. He was also an Assistant Security Flight Chief; NCOIC, Corrections; and Law Enforcement Superintendent. Dave is married to wife Emily and they have three children and seven grandchildren. He enjoyed his retirement a great deal and was fond of flea markets (both buying and selling) and hunting. After retiring from military service Dave worked as a police officer at the VA Medical Center, White River Jct., VT then went into private security. After battling liver disease for a period of time Dave passed away on 2 Feb 2011. It has been said that "A man is not dead, until he is forgotten." We, therefore, create this memorial and hope that it will provide a virtual gathering place where family and friends of Dave can come to share memories, leave flowers, etc. Dave was a kind, loving and gentle man. Above all he was a professional airman--a career military man who loved his country passionately and who served it honorably and faithfully in the Vietnam War. May he be at eternal rest and peace. (Note: click on photos to read captions).
"A man who serves his country is the highest compliment and honor that can be bestowed upon a man." - Roosevelt
"A man who serves his country is the highest compliment and honor that can be bestowed upon a man." - Roosevelt
