“I didn’t do all of this for me. I did it for my family and for my country. I did it for all of us,” says Doug. “I’m not a selfish person and I know I wouldn’t be where I am today if I was selfish. I owe everything I have to my wife and my kids.”

Each enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for different reasons. Both of Aaron’s grandfathers had retired from the Air Force so it was always in the back of his mind as something he might want to do.

As a squad leader in an infantry unit, Tom was responsible for motivating and training his team and setting expectations so they could accomplish any mission they were given. And it’s here that he bonded with those he served with. Tom said, “The best memories come from the toughest times you go through with your teammates. When people suffer together they form a bond that lasts a lifetime.”

“I worked on or around F-16 airplanes for nearly my entire 20-year Air Force career,” said the E-8, Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt). “Ten of those were spent overseas including two deployments. I was also fortunate enough to have two incentive flights in the back seat of an F-16 where I learned that I was meant to stay on the ground.”

During his service, Blake became close friends with many of his fellow Marines and still keeps in touch with a handful of them. “One of the best things about serving in the Marines is the brotherhood that exists. We truly came to rely on each other as teammates,” he said.

Dan found the work interesting, as it was home to the National War College and International Defense College. Many generals from the Pentagon lived on the post transiently, which meant a constant flow of new arrivals and changes to residential phones. Maintaining those phone systems as communication was critical on the base. This responsibility fell upon Dan and his co-worker’s shoulders, along with managing a considerable amount of audio/video equipment that was used in the colleges. The many dignitaries and high-ranking military that came from other countries to visit the base kept Dan extremely busy.

“It was absolutely a great career for me and I enjoyed my years in the Army,” Joe said. “It was very rewarding as it gave me a sense of pride, direction in my life, and helped me obtain my education.”

“It’s a wonderful feeling to know that these men and women, who come from all over the country, would give their lives for you,” Kurt said.

Joe Pierce is one of those locals who enjoys the fireworks from his 23-foot Lowe pontoon boat that is powered by a 150hp Mercury engine. His home on the north shore enables him to take his boat out on the water, anchor up with friends, and enjoy the sunset before watching the several pyrotechnic shows that go on for several nights in a row around the Fourth of July holiday. He doesn’t own a trailer for his boat since he doesn’t take it anywhere other than Oneida Lake or the picturesque Oneida River.