Still Serving 2015

Honoring Those Who Served Their Country In Uniform And Continue To Serve Hampton Roads

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Our military veterans know what it means to serve. While serving on active duty, they responded to the call of duty, selflessly serving our country and defending our freedom worldwide. For many, their service continues out of uniform. Their mission is to serve the Hampton Roads community. They continue to answer the call of duty by making significant contributions to our community through their work, philanthropic and volunteer efforts. They do not ask for recognition, but contribute every day out of their sense of service and commitment. They understand and live by their principles of leadership, initiative and selflessness. We should count ourselves lucky that so many veterans have chosen to call Hampton Roads their home.

This December marks the fifth anniversary of the Still Serving Military Veteran Awards. Founded by The Flagship and Military Newspapers of Virginia, Still Serving is a recognition program that celebrates the service and achievements of these dedicated individuals. We received a very impressive group of nominations this year. While all of these individuals have made significant impact in our community, we have selected ten as our 2015 honorees, highlighted in this section. These individuals were chosen based on their volunteer accomplishments, and for going above and beyond working with the military and/or civilian communities.

We would like to thank our committee members for taking time out of their busy schedules to help select this year’s honorees. Our committee members are: • Gregory Banks - retired chief master sergeant, U.S. Air Force, Senior Dental Benefits Advisor, United Concordia • Paul Smith - McDonald’s Hampton Roads Owner/Operator • Brad Sargent - retired master chief petty officer, U.S. Navy, ChFC, CLU, Director/ Field Operations NE, Military Affairs, Enterprise Affairs, USAA • Adair Wells - Sales Development Manager, The Flagship and Military Newspapers of Virginia and founder of Still Serving We would also like to thank the following businesses for their generous support of the 2015 Still Serving Awards. These businesses truly understand the important role our veterans continue to play in our community. Our presenting sponsor, United Concordia, McDonald’s of Hampton Roads and Northeast North Carolina, GEICO, Liberty Tax, Navy Mutual, Newport News Shipbuilding, USAA and the USO Hampton Roads/Central Virginia.

PUBLISHER:

Laura Baxter EDITOR:

Rebecca Hastings DESIGNERS:

Susan Cofer Allyson Garner Kyle Raymer CREATIVE DIRECTOR:

Tricia Lieurance PHOTOGRAPHER:

Harry Gerwien

WE BUILD MORE THAN GREAT SHIPS.

WE BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.

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The contents of this special section are not necessarily the official views of or endorsed by the U.S. Government, DoD, the DoT or the U.S. Coast Guard. Opinions of the contributing writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Military Newspapers of Virginia or The Flagship®. The availability of these newspapers and the appearance of advertising in these publications, including any inserts or supplements, do not constitute endorsement by the federal government, DoD, DoT, U.S. Coast Guard, or Military Newspapers of Virginia of products or services advertised.

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Larry Banks I was born in Currituck, North Carolina, and my family moved to Manteo, North Carolina, where I grew up. As a young boy, my friends and I frequented the Norfolk area. I am from a Coast Guard town, but I chose the Navy to begin my military career. I enlisted in the military at the recruiting station in Chesapeake. After spending over 22 years in the military in this area, I decided to remain here. I spent my 22-year career at various duty stations within the area. This area had everything to offer me job security, my kids were in great schools, and we are close to our families.

When I reported on board Center for Information Dominance Unit Hampton Roads in 1999, I was asked

to do a volunteer event. I was inspired by that event, and how well the coordinator had organized it. From that moment I knew I was destined to become a person who would volunteer. When the coordinator left the command in 2003, I became the community service outreach coordinator. She also served on the Virginia Beach Clean Community Commission (VBCC). I was offered her volunteer position with the commission and I accepted. I currently serve as the vice chairman of that committee.

who are financially unable to do so themselves. This one-time assistance concentrates on outside yard maintenance. Volunteering with Virginia Special Olympics, track and field, and basketball, I had no idea that an individual could have so much courage.

During my volunteer experience with the Special Olympics, I learned that those kids are so competitive, emotional, strong, and all they would like to do is be treated [like normal kids], which they are.

I was a Mediterranean (European area) Sailor all my career. I visited Egypt, saw pyramids, and rode a camel. I visited Jerusalem, Jordan, the Holy Land – priceless. My ship picked up refugees – sad, but exciting. Meeting people from other countries, thanking God for being an American, and living in this great country.

Get out and volunteer. Departing the military – you are leaving with a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a great work ethic. Use it wisely.

The marriage to my wife of over 30 years, birth of my kids, and becoming a grandparent. Family is so important to me. The VBCC has a program called Helping Hands. Helping Hands provides assistance to senior citizens and physically challenged residents

“It takes, one person, one second, one minute, one hour, one day to make a difference in someone’s life.”

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Ron Bauman At the time, I had three daughters either in college or high school, locally. A fourth had started a job.

Employment opportunities were plentiful and did not require relocating. We had owned our home for seven years in a neighborhood we enjoyed. My wife had an excellent job in the home financing industry. We could not think of a single reason to leave Virginia Beach.

I was a member of the Military Officers Association for many years and was the local chapter’s president for two years. In 2005, I joined the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad. My wife had joined three years earlier and encouraged me to take the classes to qualify as an EMT-B. I later qualified for an increase 4 STILL SERVING | 12.03.15

in responsibility by advancing to the initial level of Advanced Life Support. I was able to serve the squad as an officer for a number of years and sat on the Executive Committee for several years. My proudest moments were in resuscitating four patients who were in cardiac arrest and survived to leave the hospital and continue their lives.

I was a defense contractor for 13 years and was lucky to participate in the development of advanced shipboard combat systems. The work was both interesting and challenging. The team saw the implementation of two very important additions to the electronics suites of front line cruisers and destroyers, as well as the airborne early warning aircraft (E-2C Hawkeye)

I flew the A-6 Intruder aircraft from 1972 to 1983.

I made deployments to the Mediterranean aboard USS America and USS John F. Kennedy. I attended the U.S Naval War College, graduating “with highest distinction” in 1984. Selected for command, I was the commanding officer of VC-6 and introduced Remotely Piloted Vehicles to USS Iowa, where they were later used in Desert Storm. I was the Navigator aboard USS John F. Kennedy and made a deployment to the Mediterranean. While there, my department won three successive “Battle E” awards. My final tour was as the Deputy Director for Tactical Development and Training on the staff of Commander, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In that job, we created the Battle Group training progression that is still in use today. Upon retirement, I was awarded the Legion of Merit for that effort.

I would advise them to look beyond their qualifications and job history. The civilian community needs volunteers that understand commitment, professionalism and dedication. These qualities are unique in today’s society. The opportunities are out there; animal shelters, libraries, government facilities, and hospitals. One just has to look for them.

Volunteering for any kind of service to the country or one’s community is a calling, not an avocation. Those who quietly give of their time and energy, to me, are heroes by a different definition.

“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” – Ronald Reagan

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the program. I have been president for 11 years. I serve because I want to strengthen the lives and potential of the submarine force. It was my career for 32 years, and I want to support it any way I can.

I hope I am using my leadership experience gained in the military to make a contribution to the community.

There are so many wonderful organizations doing great things to assist people in so many ways. In order to maximize their services they need to be organized to best deliver and sustain their efforts; this is where I think I have contributed.

Chuck Beers My father was in the Navy, so my family lived here over the years. In fact, I graduated from Granby High School (one of four high schools I attended). Both my wife and my own father were Navy and they retired here as well.

I served 13 years here on active duty, so this is home for us. When I retired from the Navy I went to work for Lockheed Martin here in town, as I wanted to be close to parents, and I like the town, the water, and the people here. I’m very impressed and proud of the improvements and growth in Hampton Roads over the years.

This is a wonderful place to live and raise a family.

I am chairman of the board for the USO, and I have been on the USO Board of Directors for 12 years. The 6 STILL SERVING | 12.03.15

USO contributes so much to service members and their families; so many would have such a harder time without the services of the USO. Being gone from home for the first time, needing somewhere to relax, being able to Skype back to your family from overseas or flying with two kids, a dog, and a wife to a new duty station far from home can be very hard; the USO tries to ease those “bumps in the road” and provide support to the service members.

I am also the president of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation, which provides two-year and four-year college scholarships to the children of those who served in the submarine force. As a career submariner, I was heavily involved in the Dolphin Scholarship fundraising efforts over the years; I retired and became president and I now work with the executive director to raise funds, administer the program, support the staff, select the candidates, and spread the word about

The highlight of my service was my time as commanding officer of two ships; one was a fast attack submarine here in Norfolk which had a crew of 120. Six months away from home, almost all of it underwater with no communications with family makes for a very intense experience; everyone knows each other very well. Many of my best and long lasting friends today were crewmembers on that submarine.

As a submariner I circled the globe, traveled under the northern ice, crossed the equator many times, spent 87 days underwater at one stretch but the best part was serving with the finest Sailors in the world.

There is plenty of need and places to continue your service to people and the country. Your experience can be very useful and it is so rewarding to give back to others as you were given to earlier. Your contribution will make your stronger.

“Irrespective of the rules and procedures, there are always situations to be resolved only by good judgement.” Because most rules need context to be appropriate for the situation; there are always unforeseen circumstances that require judgement to effectively applied.

Freddie Cano I was in the Navy for over 22 years, and 18 of those years were here on six different ships and two tours of shore duty. So this was home when I retired.

In July of 1998, I was diagnosed with Stage IV head and neck cancer. I had so much support that I felt it was time to give back. Also to honor my mother, sister and brother, who have all passed from cancer. Besides Lee’s Friend’s, I have talked to classes at ODU about living with cancer and worked with support groups at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. In addition, I have talked to cancer patients who were referred to me by their doctor.

Volunteering with Lee’s Friend’s, going back to the Catholic Church and becoming a youth minister for three years, and being the past president of Fleet Reserve Association Branch 60 in Ocean View.

Before I became a Navy counselor, I was a commissaryman, which means I was a Navy cook – I did this the first 15 years I was in the Navy. I cooked for as many as 5,000 people on a aircraft carrier and for as few as 26 people on a patrol gunboat. One of the most exciting experiences as a cook was cooking for Adm. Hyman Rickover for five days on board USS Mississippi (CGN 40). He wasn’t as bad as I heard over the years. My first duty station was Hawaii when I was just 17! I have been stationed on seven ships

and two submarines; four tours of shore duty – one in Fallon, Nevada, one at Naval Station Norfolk, two on recruiting duty: Glen Vie, Illinois, and recruiting headquarters in Richmond, Virginia. There were so many cruises that I had the pleasure of being a part of, but the most memorable one is the 1972 Western Pacific cruise to Vietnam. We received a three-day notice that we were going to Vietnam and did not have a return date. The cruise lasted eight months.

The worst part was in October of that year when an accident on board the ship killed 20 of my shipmates.

Find something that would make them feel like they are making a difference, and at the same time helping a fellow human being.

My favorite quote was made by Adm. William “Bull” Halsey: “You see those battleships sitting there, and you think they float on the water, don’t you? You are wrong. They are carried to sea on the backs of those chief petty officers!”

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Andrew Damiani

I was a professional musician from Richmond, but adopted Suffolk as my hometown when a job opportunity from a national firm brought me here. I became an entrepreneur when I saw opportunity. I opened the first laundromat here when perhaps 30 percent of the area had no indoor plumbing. As I found opportunities to improve the city, my career grew as a business man and elected official – always in Suffolk.

McDonald’s of Hampton Roads and N.E. North Carolina are proud to support our active duty military and veterans. Through programs such as the USO and Virginia Veteran and Family Support we strive to help those that have helped us.

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When I was in elementary school, the teacher would say “we need someone to help tidy up the classroom” and mine was always the first hand in the air. Since then I’ve been involved in numerous organizations, boards and commissions, but the Kiwanis was close to my heart with their original motto – “ We build and we serve.” Community service has been my true life vocation.

I helped build a city — and a community — within downtown Suffolk while rehabbing and repurposing many of the downtown’s historic buildings. The hometown I adopted didn’t have any visibility, so I promoted the city as “Surprising Suffolk.”

Occasionally, when regional organizations and commissions left Suffolk off the meeting guest list, I put on my own name tag and showed up at the meetings anyway. Soon everyone knew where and what Suffolk was. I’ve hosted radio and local access cable TV shows for decades to bring important issues and achievements to the attention of local residents. I’ve also served Suffolk as a councilman and

multiple-term mayor. Over the last 65 years or so, I’ve accumulated a massive archive – news clips, letters, documents, photo, etc. – that documents the historic highlights of life in Suffolk and Greater Hampton Roads as well as my personal adventures. I have agreed to donate the entire archive to the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond, where it will be made available in-person and online to researchers, students, etc.

I am a Son of Bitche, one of the 100th Infantry Division in WWII. In March 1945, I was standing in a dirt town square, one foot in a pile of horse manure and my carbine at my side. I raised my Eflat horn to my lips, but I’m not sure I ever played a note. I was too busy scanning the rooftops for German snipers. I was in the 100th Infantry Band and Gen. Burress commanded us to play as our troops marched into the hard fought fortress of Bitche, France. It was a long way from marching down the Champs Elysees in Paris with thousands of American troops or playing in the Paris Opera House, accompanying Metropolitan Opera soprano Lily Pons. Back in the states, we had played with celebrities at USO shows and at War Bond rallies in Times Square, Rockefeller Center and around New York City. In combat we played on the Foxhole

Circuit, close to the front lines, trying to keep up the morale of our troops who were cold, wet, and mostly miserable in the foxholes waiting to attack.

The best contribution anyone can make to their community is to get involved with organizations – service clubs, churches, nonprofits – that support the community’s health and lifestyle. That’s my formula.

We had eight children in our family and every morning, as we were all leaving for school, my mother would tell us to listen to our teachers and to “Be Helpful.” The “Be Helpful” has stayed with me.

GEICO MILITARY Thanks All Veterans “Still Serving” Hampton Roads 12.03.15 | STILL SERVING 9

My greatest achievements outside of the military are my children Joseph and John. It was a privilege raising two such upstanding young men. I am very proud of them and their achievements. They are both staff sergeants in the Army. Joseph is currently serving as a drill sergeant at Ft. Jackson, in Columbia, South Carolina, and John is serving at U.S. Army Garrison in Hoenfels, Germany.

This past summer, I traveled to Germany to visit John, his wife, and my granddaughter. The two weeks that I spent with them was wonderful. One of the best parts of the trip was when I visited the memorial dedicated to the Nuremburg Trials. My father served in the Army during WWII and had the opportunity to sit in on a couple days of the Nuremburg Trials before returning to the states. Being able to visit where he had been during the war was very special and is something that I will never forget.

Betty Hand The area has a lot to offer. I was able to find a job doing what I love – taking care of Sailors. Additionally, there is so much history in this area within a short drive. I have enjoyed visiting many of the sites and sharing them with visiting family and friends.

I come from a long line of military members on my father’s side of the family. My twin sons are currently serving in the U.S. Army and I have a nephew in the U.S. Marine Corps. They are the fourth generation to serve since my paternal grandfather was drafted in WWI. The two main organizations that I work with are the Horton Wreath Society and Honor Flight Historic Triangle Virginia. Both of these organizations 10 STILL SERVING | 12.03.15

allow me to honor and recognize the contributions of our veterans who have given so much to ensure the freedoms that we enjoy today. The Horton Wreath Society raises funds to place a live evergreen wreath on each marker in the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Suffolk, each year on the second Saturday in December. Our motto is Remember the Sacrifices, Respect our Veterans, Educate Future Generations. We strongly encourage youth participation at our event and explain to them what we are doing, why we do it, and help them to understand what is displayed on the headstones of the grave they are placing a wreath on. Honor Flight Historic Triangle Virginia takes WWII and Korean War-era veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit their memorials at no expense to the veteran. As a guardian, I am afforded the opportunity to share that experience with true American heroes and our national treasures.

My deployment to Iraq in 2006 was probably the most challenging and most rewarding experience of my career. I was stationed at Fort Sues, Iraq, with the Navy Provisional Detainee Battalion. The Battalion was comprised of 520 Sailors (125 mobilized reservists and 395 active duty) from 160 commands. We were located in a remote region of Iraq. I was the only senior female leader in the battalion, which posed some unique challenges with the other females already assigned. As the personnel officer, I was responsible for the pay and personnel transactions for our Sailors. I also served as the career counselor, headquarters leading chief petty officer, educational services officer, and sexual assault victim intervention coordinator. Being able to care for our Sailors and their needs in such a remote region was extremely satisfying.

%HZMGI JSV SXLIV ZIXIVERW Find an organization that speaks to one of your passions. There are so many worthwhile organizations in our area that need volunteers. As prior military, you bring a wealth of experience in leadership roles that are greatly needed. Share your passion with others and then step back and watch the magic happen. You will truly be amazed with what you have to offer and are able to contribute.

“Things do not happen. Things are made to happen.”

– John F. Kennedy

George Holscher I grew up in New York, went to High School in Florida, was stationed here in Virginia for four years. I liked the area, the weather, and the people. Married a girl from Great Bridge and I’ve been here ever since.

Over 20 years ago, I was asked by a fellow disabled bowler to help coach a high school bowling league, and I have been doing it ever since. I now coach two youth leagues, teach a bowling class as a level one USBC instructor, and I am a certified NCAA Official for Collegiate Bowling Tournaments.

I have been a competitive wheelchair athlete for nearly

25 years, competing in basketball, tennis, bowling, and billiards. My greatest achievements have come in the sport of bowling, I was the National Scratch Bowling Champion at the AWBA National Tournament in 2009, and I am one of two bowlers to ever roll a 300 game from a wheelchair. Last year I was inducted in to the Tidewater Virginia USBC Bowling Hall of Fame.

I was stationed at NAS Oceana with Strike Fighter Squadron VF-31. We were part of an expeditionary force aboard USS John F. Kennedy stationed off the coast of Lebanon immediately after the bombing of the Marine Corps barracks in Beirut. Our deployment was extended for over a month to continue the naval presence and operations during the action in Lebanon. During this time, we on the aircraft carrier, had a shellback initiation, were entertained by the USO, including Bob Hope whose hand I got to shake.

I was also detached to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar during Top Gun exercises, and was able to see the fighter jets still painted as Russian Migs that were used in the Top Gun movie. I visited many ports during my time on active duty in the Navy, but the one that always sticks out in my mind, is pulling into Rio de Janeiro – it was a fun port for a young single Sailor.

Find that activity, sport, or public service, that fills your sense of duty, and/or pride. For me, helping youth bowlers achieve their goals, and seeing the socialization skills that they acquire, while still maintaining a high level of competitiveness, is what drives me to continue volunteering.

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”

– Albert Einstein. Anyone can strive to be successful, but to do that, and add value to the world, is truly an achievement.

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Betty Miller Job security for retirement and assisting shipmates with transitions and resources. While stationed at Little Creek Amphibious Base from 1991-1994, I worked with Headway Staffing as a administrative assistant temp.

During this time, I met and worked with some great companies. Afterwards, I heard various shipmates complaining at the Fleet and Family Support office after the Resume Writing class. I found comfort in typing and assisting shipmates with their resumes.

As a student at Strayer University, my part-time job was a resume writer. School was 6-10 p.m., and work was 12 a.m. - 6 a.m. I became a night owl and created the Nite Owl Den Resume Service. In 2007, I launched it in my Capstone Work release class and it is my full-time commitment to assist veterans and their families.

WE’VE GOT THE BASES COVERED. DEDICATED TO SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE. MILITARY NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW SERVICE MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS ENTERTAINMENT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES SOUTHSIDE 757.222.3990 | PENINSULA 757.596.0853 | COLONIAL HEIGHTS 804.256.8685 12 STILL SERVING | 12.03.15

Urban League Hampton Roads, Young Professionals (ULHRYP) support the League’s 5-point empowerment agenda: Education and Youth Empowerment, Economic Empowerment, Health and Quality of Life Empowerment, Civic Empowerment, and Civil Rights and Racial Justice Empowerment. As Young Professionals, it is our responsibility to be committed to building and refining young professionals in their quest for jobs, education, housing and health.

Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Chapter 21 Norfolk: The Virginia Department of Veteran Services has 12 chapters throughout Virginia. Their mission statement: We are dedicated to a single purpose: empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. We accomplish this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. The organization provides free, professional assistance to veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services; outreach concerning its program services to the American people generally, and to disabled veterans and their families specifically; representing

the interests of disabled veterans, their families, their widowed spouses and their orphans to state, local and national government branches; and more.

Being able to continue supporting shipmates, veterans and their family members before and after crises.

A five-year tour in Naples, Italy, included trips to London, England; Rota, Spain; Germany and Sweden (Mountains where the Sound of Music was filmed).

Germany has the most beautiful castles in the world.

Seek out any organization that is serving veterans and volunteer anywhere you can.

A. Visit the VAMC Hampton or any veteran hospital.

B. Contact the VEC, Virginia Employment Commission, military representative.

C. Visit Opportunity Inc., attend the “After Tap for Veterans Workshop.”

D. DAV – www.virginiadav.org and www.jobs.dav.org E. Other organizations are: Fleet Reserve, VFW and American Legion.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou Why? I am always networking, talking and assisting veterans. It is when I get a referral that I know how it made them feel, referrals are my Lifeline.

Dec. 5th

JEB-Little Creek Fort Story

10 am-2 pm Rockwell Hall

Thank you for all you do for the Hampton Roads Community.

USOHRCV.COM | ContactUs@USOHRCV.org 12.03.15 | STILL SERVING 13

Joe Schnurbusch then it helps. It was very enjoyable to facilitate this program for two years.

I am from Norfolk, so when I retired I wanted to stay in this area. My wife has been working for the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Department, so it also was to support my wife’s career.

When I was completing my master’s degree, I had to do some internship hours, and the facility where I completed my hours started the Domestic Violence Program. They asked if I would facilitate, as this aligned with my master’s degree and I enjoy helping people. This program was a program the City of Virginia Beach stood up for men convicted of domestic violence. It was enjoyable and also sad to hear about some of the serious domestic violence that occurs in relationships. I figure if I get through to some people 14 STILL SERVING | 12.03.15

The Chief Petty Officer Scholarship Fund (CPOSF) is another organization that I decided to participate in, as it helps provide scholarships. Of course when a retired master chief petty officer of the Navy (MCPON) asks you to help, and you respect this MCPON, it’s hard to say no. I’ve been doing this for one year so far, and it’s a learning curve, as it’s a national organization.

I was adopted from a foster home in Norfolk many years ago and my fondest memory outside of the military has been finding my natural sisters and brother. It was scary at first, but it has now become one of my fondest memories in life. Completing a master’s degree was an achievement for me as I struggled in high school.

Though many people complete these degrees, it was huge for me to overcome the fear. Overall the biggest achievement and fondest memory outside the military is my family. Having been married to my wife for over 30 years, and to see her support my military career for 30 years with multiple deployments, is an achievement for both of us, but more so my wife. Walking my daughter hand-in-hand down an altar to get married is the proudest moment as a father. To watch her get married and then have children is seeing your child become their own, as a wife and mother. Of course I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my son, as he has lived his life on his terms.

Well ,in thirty years I’ve seen the world, so each deployment was unique. Of my military career, the highlight was being stationed in Naples, Italy, for four years. My mother is from Italy, so I got to see her side of the family and establish a lifelong relationship with my aunts, uncles and cousins.

Plan, Plan, and Plan. Find something in the community that fits your passion and desire. The amount of organizations in the Hampton Roads Area that need volunteers are plentiful and it’s giving back to the community.

“Suck it up, buttercup.” So this is a favorite quote of mine in that sometimes people get so far into a hole and eventually have to get back up from the hole.

Everyone will make a mistake and get into a hole at some point in their lives and they have to climb out of the hole. People end up in this hole and the whining may start, yet they can determine the outcome. It’s a hard phrase to tell someone, but it’s been one I’ve just used for years.

than any one person and that will have a lasting legacy on the people in our community.

Starting and building a great company business partners, making it to the 20 fastest growing companies in Hampton Roads in 2015; becoming a 40-under40-business leader; helping to bring the Virginia Gentlemen’s Foundation to life; and working to design and create JT’s Camp Grom for Wounded Veterans and Gold Star Families.

Since I have left the military, my niece and nephew have been born and it is awesome to be home and able to see them grow up. It is something that when you are deployed you can miss a lot of those moments and it is a wonderful feeling to be able to see.

We deployed rapidly on 9/11 and went on a full deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. These days were tense and having just entered the Navy we had no idea what we would be heading into. I had the honor to have several opportunities to be work with the Israeli and Croatian Navy and participate in many international operations.

Ross Vierra I selected to stay in Hampton Roads because this was my home and I wanted to put my energy toward helping to make it the best region in the world. This is where my family is and where I wanted to start my business and one day raise a family of my own.

Hampton Roads, or “Coastal Virginia” as it is increasingly becoming known, is a located in the best part of Virginia and the opportunities here are only limited by our own minds, so I am here and encouraged by all the growth in our region.

I have had the pleasure of serving on many boards and committees and when we started the Virginia Gentlemen Foundation it was an opportunity to dig in and really build a foundation that served our community

in a special way – creating physical tangible project benefitting our community. Thanks to so many of our donors and supporters we have achieved amazing milestones in fundraising and philanthropy. We have built projects that will last forever and are changing lives; such as Grommet Island Park, a beach park and playground for everyone – especially those with disabilities; a neonatal pediatric medical transport with a kid-friendly design for CHKD; and now a 70-acre adventure camp for our Wounded Veterans, Gold Star Families and children with special needs and abilities.

We have also helped in the fight to cure ALS and provide patient care serves. All together the foundation has raised and donated over $20 million to help make these projects a reality in Coastal Virginia.

When I look to get involved, I am selective and want to be a part of something that has a true impact on people lives and to be a part of something that is greater

In 2004, while part of Carrier Air wing 17, our air wing was conducting strikes on Fallujah, and I’ll never forget at 4 a.m., seeing the list on Armed Forces Network scroll the names of the men and women killed in combat and seeing my friend from Virginia Tech, Tim Price’s name appear. I was in shock and while the number of friends on that list grew, to this day I never forget the sacrifice so many family and the loves ones paid to defend freedom around the globe.

We serve each day to honor those who can no long serve, as they have given it all.

Best advise is to follow what Nike says and “Just Do It,” no matter what is happening in your life continue to serve, join an organization, volunteer at events, seek out opportunities, don’t wait for them to come to you, go find your passion and give it all you have and change lives.

It is not a quote per say but, “Ut Prosim” – meaning “That I may Serve!” All Virginia Tech Hokies know this as the VT motto but its meaning is much more – it is a way of life, and what I try to live by as much as possible everyday. Serve any way you can with passion and excitement, give 110 percent, for tomorrow is promised to no one and changing a life lasts forever.

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United ConcordiaÂŽ Dental Honors our Military Veterans and Retirees United Concordia Dental has administered dental benefits for military members and their families for more than 19 years.

We proudly support our nation’s military service members, veterans and retirees.

Thank you for your continued service to the military community.

We salute your courage and honor.

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