Alan Davies
What is your current position for the City of Southport?
City of Southport Firefighter.
How long have you worked for the City of Southport?
3 years.
When were you drafted or when did you enlist?
Enlisted February 1976.
What branch did you join, and how did you choose your branch of service?
United States Navy.
What were some of the reasons that you joined the military?
To serve my country.
Is there anything you wish civilians understood about military service?
Much is sacrificed during a war.
Brian Kolhoff
What is your current position for the City of Southport?
City of Southport Firefighter.
How long have you worked for the City of Southport?
6 months.
When were you drafted or when did you enlist?
1991.
What branch did you join, and how did you choose your branch of service?
United States Marines.
What were some of the reasons that you joined the military?
Travel and protect my country.
Arthur ‘Doc’ Liberty
What is your current position for the City of Southport?
Volunteer City of Southport Firefighter/ Advanced EMT.
How long have you worked for the City of Southport?
17 months.
When were you drafted or when did you enlist?
June 1972.
What branch did you join, and how did you choose your branch of service?
U.S. Navy – relatives served in the Navy and the Marine Corps.
What were some of the reasons that you joined the military?
Knew that I wasn’t suited for college at that time in my life. My dad was a WWII and Korean War veteran and I wanted to serve our country in Vietnam for my turn. I also needed structure and discipline.
Is there anything you wish civilians understood about military service?
Members and their families face tremendous hardships ranging from lengthy separations to spouses unable to maintain a career because of frequent moves. Kids cannot maintain friendships because of the moves, also. Between Kindergarten and graduating high school, I attended seven schools, all in different communities.
Mason Madison
What is your current position for the City of Southport?
City of Southport Firefighter.
How long have you worked for the City of Southport?
April 2021.
When were you drafted or when did you enlist?
May 2017.
What branch did you join, and how did you choose your branch of service?
Army.
What were some of the reasons that you joined the military?
To serve our country.
Kate Marshall
What is your current position for the City of Southport?
Animal Protective Services Officer.
How long have you worked for the City of Southport?
4 years.
When were you drafted or when did you enlist?
I enlisted in December 1984 and served 8 years.
What branch did you join, and how did you choose your branch of service?
US Navy. Family tradition.
What were some of the reasons that you joined the military?
Service to the country is a family value, I also wanted to travel and get an education.
Is there anything you wish civilians understood about military service?
Military members know the meaning of putting service before self and the personal sacrifices that entails while you serve your country.
Christopher T. Martin
What is your current position for the City of Southport?
Code Enforcement Officer.
How long have you worked for the City of Southport?
3 Years.
When were you drafted or when did you enlist?
1989.
What branch did you join, and how did you choose your branch of service?
US Army, I could do more things and have more fun doing them in the Army.
What were some of the reasons that you joined the military?
Patriotic Duty.
Is there anything you wish civilians understood about military service?
Our dark and morbid sense of humor.
Paul E. Pittenger
What is your current position for the City of Southport?
Electrical Superintendent.
How long have you worked for the City of Southport?
19.75 years (chronologically), <24 years, total. When were you drafted or when did you enlist?
September of 1977.
What branch did you join, and how did you choose your branch of service?
United States Navy.
What were some of the reasons that you joined the military?
Self-discipline, Focus, See the world.
Is there anything you wish civilians understood about military service?
Honor and Duty.
Steven Simon
What is your current position for the City of Southport?
City of Southport Fire Department EMT.
How long have you worked for the City of Southport?
9 years.
When were you drafted or when did you enlist?
1966.
What branch did you join, and how did you choose your branch of service?
US Air Force.
What were some of the reasons that you joined the military?
Felt it was my duty.
Is there anything you wish civilians understood about military service?
Military personnel needs the support of civilians so they do feel their service to this country was in vain.
David Sosebee
What is your current position for the City of Southport?
Captain Southport Fire Department.
How long have you worked for the City of Southport?
4 years.
When were you drafted or when did you enlist?
1984.
What branch did you join, and how did you choose your branch of service?
U.S. Army – had the best opportunity at the time.
What were some of the reasons that you joined the military?
To serve my country.
Kenneth D. Stokes
What is your current position for the City of Southport?
Part-Time Police Sargent, City of Southport Police Department.
How long have you worked for the City of Southport?
3 years.
When were you drafted or when did you enlist?
Nov. 26, 1974.
What branch did you join, and how did you choose your branch of service?
U.S. Air Force, to see the world.
What were some of the reasons that you joined the military?
To serve my country.
Warren Whitley
What is your current position for the City of Southport?
City of Southport Volunteer Fire Lieutenant.
How long have you worked for the City of Southport?
7 years.
When were you drafted or when did you enlist?
1988.
What branch did you join, and how did you choose your branch of service?
US Coast Guard – they had a direct petty officer (E4) for firefighters and police.
What were some of the reasons that you joined the military?
Wanted to serve.
Is there anything you wish civilians understood about military service?
The camaraderie.
Robert T. Willis
What is your current position for the City of Southport?
City of Southport Firefighter/Engineer.
How long have you worked for the City of Southport?
In total, 20 years.
When were you drafted or when did you enlist?
Enlisted January 1993 after serving 2&1/2 years as a Police Officer for the city.
What branch did you join, and how did you choose your branch of service?
US Army. I had friends whom had joined right after high school.
What were some of the reasons that you joined the military?
Wanting to serve.
Is there anything you wish civilians understood about military service?
I believe EVERYONE should serve for 2 years right out of high school!
