During the past few weeks, I have had the honor of talking to several veterans. Some are willing to tell their stories; others prefer to just forget most of it. I’d like to relate some of their experiences with you.

Last week, the Veteran’s Day Program for the students of Fort Jennings School came to the Memorial Hall to tour the Veteran’s Museum and listen to Retired Chief Petty Officer Randy Gasser relate some of his experiences. The high school students came in the morning and the elementary grades were bused over in the afternoon.

Randy came in his dress blues, which was very impressive. He explained many of his badges and medals to them. Students were very interested and asked many questions.

Chief Gasser retired in February 2012, concluding a career of 26 years of service in the Navy and to the nation. He enlisted in the US Navy’s Delayed Entry Program in September 1981 and then reported to Boot Camp at the Great Lakes Training Center in Chicago in January 1982.
His first experience at sea was on the USS Guadalcanal, out of Norfolk, Virginia to the North Atlantic for exercises. While on the USS Dwight Eisenhower, he was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and the Caribbean. During this time his unit supported the Multi-National Peacekeeping Force after the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, Lebanon. In 1986 his unit embarked on the USS John F. Kennedy in support of operations in the Gulf of Sidra near Libya.
In 1987 he transferred to the Naval Aviation Depot in Jacksonville, Florida, where he assumed the duties of Fleet Training Coordinator and Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor.