MANY SERVED IN ALL BRANCHES OF MILITARY SERVICE
I served from 1986 to 1994 with MDW (Military District of Washington, Ft Belvoir VA), both with the 101st and 82nd Airborne. The Class A uniform pictures is of my roommate, David and me at Ft Bragg.
I was out for 18 years and joined the National Guard at the age of 44 in 2012 with my oldest son, Brian Christian. I served with the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Army National Guard. Serving with my son pictured here with me was an inspiration. We were in an 88M-transportation unit together. We both care deeply about serving our country.
My grandfather Lonnie McKenzie served in WWII. He and I had the same first duty station at Ft Belvoir, which is a small base near Washington DC. Grandpa had family in Kentucky when he was sent to Ft. Belvoir. Many of my family served in all branches of military service. My dad signed up for a “call draft” during the Vietnam War but never served. Dad had an aneurysm burst years ago and now has dementia.
I loved my job at Pennyroyal Veterans Center as a Veteran Support Specialist and then as an Office Coordinator in Hopkinsville, KY. My job at the Veteran’s center was helping homeless Veterans find employment and housing.
I live in Athens, Georgia now and getting involved there now.
~ Brian McKenzie, Veteran
Veteran Stories Collected by Jenny La Sala www.JennyLasala.com
