Growing up in Chicago, Ill., Joseph Houghton felt aimless after high school. His father encouraged him to enlist, so he joined the United States Army in 1967 and became a combat war veteran serving three tours of duty.

“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.”

After basic training and advanced individual training, Joe served his first combat tour of duty in Quang Tri Vietnam from 1968 to1969 as a combat engineer, where he built defensive structures, detected and disarmed explosive devices, and cleared roads that troops could safely travel through.

He later became a drill sergeant at Fort Knox, Ky., for three years, where he said he loved sharing his knowledge of the Army with those just coming into service. He was also sent on assignment to Okinawa, Japan, where he worked in human resources.

During the first Gulf War in 1991, he served his second tour of duty in Rhiyad, Saudi Arabia, developing and designing military units that would be needed if the war lasted for a long period of time, and deciding on what logistics and equipment would be needed for combat operation in the field. After returning from Saudi Arabia and 24 years of active duty, Joe retired in August of 1991.

Joe and his wife, Theresa, and their four children moved to Delaware where Joe pursued his education and received a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management from Wilmington University.

After 16 years in retirement, Joe was troubled by the events of September 11 and he volunteered to return to active duty. Though it took a few years to process his paperwork, he was sent for his third and final tour of duty to Tikrit, Iraq in 2007. He was astounded by the technological changes that had occurred during his years away.

“It was eye-opening,” said Joe. “Although the rifles remained the same, everything else was digitized and technology-oriented.”

As a command officer at the military base in Speicher, Iraq, Joe was responsible for a wide range of issues such as supplies, personnel, logistics, security, and life support systems for Army and Air Force employees.

Throughout his 25-year active-duty military career Joe held a variety of positions which included combat engineer, first sergeant, senior drill sergeant, senior human resources management, and command officer in support of Operation Iraq Freedom.

Back in Delaware after his world travels and combat experience, Joe and Theresa were looking for fun ways to spend time with their seven grandchildren when their son in-law introduced them to Bill Forenski at WMF Marine. Boating became their new hobby, and they’ve since bought three Avalon pontoon boats.

Joe said, “WMF in Millsboro, Del., is a great place to buy a boat. The staff is very helpful and knowledgeable about boating. They’ve helped me learn how to be a better boater and to understand all of the features of my boat. Bill and his staff have always been available to answer our concerns. I can’t speak highly enough of them.”

Their newest boat, an Avalon 2585 Catalina Quad Lounger is large enough to accommodate their entire family, especially when they cruise along Indian River Inlet next to the ocean.

“We have enjoyed the ride and handling of all the Avalons, and the power of the Mercury engine is great. The whole family—all 12 of us—love going out on the water to the sandbar where we have a great time cooking out and watching the grandchildren jump off the end of the boat and go swimming,” Joe said.

While they enjoy time together, they’ve had the added bonus of meeting many other Avalon boat owners and their families at the sandbar.

But Joe hasn’t forgotten his military friends. He currently works for the American Legion as the department service officer for the state of Delaware. There he assists veterans and their dependents from all branches of service with their medical disabilities compensation, which can sometimes be a complicated process.

Joe said, “Working through the many rules and regulations of Veteran Affairs can be frustrating, so it’s very satisfying when I can help them through the process to receive the benefits they deserve. Especially the times when they call me and say, ‘thank you.’”

Likewise, Joe, we say “thank you!” for all of your service, sacrifice, and dedication.