NHTC employees who have served in the United States military are pictured from left to right: Bobby Morrison, Mark Beem, Rusty Bright and Lee Glaser. 

Veterans Day is a time to honor those who have served our country, and we appreciate the service of all our veterans. The sacrifices of those brave men and women and their families afford us the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. At NHTC, we would like to salute all our veterans and feature our employees who have served.

BOBBY G MORRISON JR., manager of accounting and billing:

Military  branch: Navy, served eight years. Discharged as a petty officer 2^nd class after serving as a torpedoman’s mate technician. 

What was the most interesting aspect of your military service? I was stationed at Naval Submarine Torpedo Facility, Goose Creek, South Carolina. While there, I built and tested the MK 48 Advanced Capability Torpedo.
What is your most memorable experience in the military? Seeing the torpedo, which I and about 25 others built, sink a decommissioned destroyer.
What did it mean to you to serve your country? Both of my grandfathers served in World War I and World War II. A great-uncle was killed in World War II, and my father served during the Berlin crisis. It was an honor to serve my country and to carry on a family tradition.

MARK BEEM, central office technician:

Military branch: Navy, served six years. Discharged as electronics technician 2^nd class.

What was the most interesting aspect of your military service? Getting to travel and experience many different countries and cultures. It was an incredible learning experience that had both practical and personal rewards. 
What is your most unforgettable experience in the military? Watching Mt. Etna erupt on the island of Sicily; twice being awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal; visiting Jerusalem and Bethlehem during the port visit in Israel; playing golf in Halifax; having tea with an elderly man in Turkey; exploring the labyrinthian streets of the medieval old town of Rhodes, Greece. 
What did it mean to you to serve your country? It was by far the most challenging and rewarding thing I’ve ever done. The places I visited, the things I experienced, and the people I met during those
six years still have an impact on me.

RUSTY BRIGHT, network manager of TV and internet systems:

Military branch: Navy, served two years. Discharged as a hospital corpsman.

What was the most interesting aspect of your military service? I served during peacetime and worked mostly in hospitals with retired Navy personnel and their families.
What is your most memorable experience in the military? Getting to know veterans who had served in combat.
What did it mean to you to serve your country? It was a growing experience.

LEE GLASER, fiber installer:

Military Branch: Army, served eight years. Discharged as a sergeant.

What was the most interesting aspect of your military service? I had nine total deployments: six to Afghanistan and three to Iraq with the 3rd Ranger Battalion. Nighttime direct action raids were exciting.
What is your most memorable experience in the military? Working as a dog handler in the 3rd Ranger Battalion.
What did it mean to you to serve your country? It sounds honorable to say that you fought for your country’s freedoms, but in reality, it’s all about your fellow soldiers. When you’re overseas, all that matters is bringing everyone back. 

Find this story and more in the November/December 2017 issue of NHTC’s The Communicator magazine.