Madison Progress 2016

wire fence and tore an inch gash in his neck. “No stitches, just Band-Aids. Hello, Wild West,” he said.

He entered college in Casper, Wyo., and majored in theatre/ journalism. Writing an article on graduates’ prospective salaries, Stone discovered a journalist’s annual salary equaled one summer in the oilfield – “a little disheartening.”

Leaving college and enlisting, he was sent to Fort Jackson, S.C., in 1989. “I walked from the air-conditioned airport and was met by an unwavering enemy – humidity. It was the first but definitely not last time I found myself questioning my decision to join the Army,” Stone said.

However, he appreciated military food, lodging, medical care and clothes. He had endured “myriad low-paid jobs and had literally gone hungry more than once,” he said. “I joined the Army to see the world, hoping for Europe or South America.

They sent me to Redstone Arsenal.”

In only months, he was named AMC Soldier of the Year and promoted three times. “It showed me the Army had the structure I needed to mature,” Stone said.

Returning to college, he earned a bachelor’s degree in management at Athens State University and later a master’s degree in integrated logistics from Embry-Riddle University.

He served with the Army through Desert Storm, stationed at Redstone. Stone married Stacy Seiler in 1995. Daughter Abigail was born in 1997, then Perry Grace in 2000.

To earn extra money, Stone joined the Alabama National Guard and “was hooked” on M-1 tanks. Soon, he was promoted to sergeant.

Then the date that changed everything – Sept. 11, 2001. Stone was training at Fort Knox, Ky. In 2002, his tankers were ready to roll into Afghanistan, but troops were sent to Redstone and then Anniston, Mobile and Montgomery.

In 2005, he reached the rank of second lieutenant and enrolled in Explosive Ordinance Disposal School. “Stacy was pregnant.

Further evaluation led to the discovery that Stacy had Stage 4 lymphoma,” he said. The guard reassigned him closer to home.

“Stacy was able to make a recovery, but our family would not grow,” he said. Stone instructed Officer Candidate and Warrant Officer schools, eventually moving to Military Police.

In February 2011, “Stacy was diagnosed with Metaplastic Carcinoma breast cancer. She underwent multiple surgeries and chemo, starting April 27, 2011. The prognosis is good. She is doing very well,” Stone said.

On that date, tornadoes wreaked destruction in Alabama. As commander of 217th MP Company in Prattville, Stone led his troops to Tuscaloosa for three weeks. “I saw the very best and very worst of Alabamians and Americans,” he said. “It was one of the most exhausting and rewarding things I’ve ever done.”

A founding member of Rotary Club of Madison, Stone serves as Sergeant at Arms and several committees.

Stacy works as an electrical engineer with Alpha Beta Technologies. Abby and Perry Grace are graduates of St. John the Baptist Catholic School and attend Pope John Paul II Catholic High School.

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