Where did you serve and what did you do?

US Army (Ret) from 1976 to 1997. Started in the Field Artillery as a 13E, stationed with the 25th Division and then back to Ft. Sill. After my initial enlistment, I switched to the medical field and had multiple assignments for the next 17 years as a 91C including Ft Meade, MD; Ft Bragg, NC; Ft Leavenworth; Greece, Ft Campbell (Fixed hospital and CSH), 2nd Field Hospital, Bremerhaven, GE, Saudi with the 31st CSH; Ft Sam Houston as a Senior Instructor in the 91B program and ended my 21+ year career as the NCOIC (91C5H)for the Critical Care Services, Brooke Army Medical Center. After I retired from the Army, I served in various positions with Texas Organ Sharing Alliance culminating as the Senior Organ Recovery Coordinator and Administrator on Call in San Antonio, TX.

How are you Still Serving?

After leaving Texas, I moved to NW Arkansas to assist my son and daughter-in-law with our grandchildren, including a special needs grand-daughter. I served with a local Hospice service in their Vet-to-Vet program for 6 years; now serving with a homebound ministry with my local church visiting nursing homes and home-bound individuals from our congregation. I also work with the local school system as a substitute nurse averaging 8-10 days a month during the school year. I have presented at the local High School for their Veterans Day program and have taught their AP Civics classes for several years in the Spring to tell the students about military service, and its pros & cons. I volunteer as medical support for local concerts and events at our church and the Vacation Bible School for the children’s group in the summer. I have been very active in my local VFW Post 1674 in Siloam Springs, AR serving in numerous positions as Surgeon, Jr & Sr Vice, and Quartermaster. I am also the treasurer for the Siloam Springs KIA Memorial Committee.

Why do you do it?

I strongly desire to serve my community, fellow veterans, church, and youth in our school system. If I am not serving, I would be lost, so as long as I am fairly healthy, I will continue to serve…I may slow down a bit, but serving has been in my nature for decades and I don’t see it ending just yet.