Oglethorpe County veterans take pride in the time they spent in the military
Four Oglethorpe County veterans from different generations and branches said their pride didn’t end with their service. It evolved.
Each November, on Veterans Day, the country pauses to honor those who have served, men and women who wore the uniform not for recognition, but out of commitment to something greater than themselves.
The Oglethorpe Echo took the opportunity to hear the stories of four residents who said they were shaped by where they’ve been and what they’ve seen.
Ben Campbell
For Lexington resident Ben Campbell, the path to service was forged after witnessing the attacks on 9/11. As a then-freshman at Riverside Preparatory Academy in Gainesville, he watched the events unfold live on TV.
“I felt it in my heart. There’s entire networks of terrorists, no telling how many of them could do this again,” Campbell said. “If they can do it once, they can do it again, and if they can do it this big, they can do it twice as big.”
So after high school in 2006, Campbell enlisted in the National Guard. He deployed to Afghanistan from 2009-2010 with the First Battalion, 121st Infantry as part of a scout platoon that provided reconnaissance for infantry companies.
Combat was a tough part of Campbell’s service.
“There’s a stress level as soon as you get there, and then that stress level doesn’t leave,” Campbell said.
He remembered his first day in Afghanistan, which opened his eyes to what was at stake.
“Unfortunately, four guys were killed, and being part of their ceremony, and paying our respects to them as a brigade kind of set us up,” Campbell said.
Yet, the military left him with lifelong gains.
“If I could sum it in one word, it’d be confidence,” Campbell said. “Confidence in myself, confidence in stepping out of my comfort zone and knowing that I can handle things that I don’t realize I can handle,”
For Veterans Day, Campbell said he hopes each Oglethorpe County resident is proud to say they have veterans living in their community.
“Most every veteran you run into will have your back no matter what,” Campbell said.
Debbie Furbish
Debbie Furbish’s military experience taught her discipline, resilience and the value of teamwork.
Enlisting at 18 with the intent to leave her small hometown and travel, she quickly adapted to the rigorous military lifestyle, learning lessons that would shape her for years to come.
“It’s the best and fastest way to grow up in your life,” Furbish said. “You get to know yourself really quickly and what you’re capable of doing.”
During her service, Furbish served as secretary to Maj. Gen. Paul M. Timmerberg, the commanding general of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, and later became his driver. Eventually, she was sent to work in Brussels, Belgium, for the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).
For Furbish, who is now retired and lives in Winterville, Veterans Day is about honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“Unless you have written your name and signed your name and stood there and taken the oath, you just don’t understand what that means,” Furbish said.
Reflecting on her service, Furbish said her biggest point of pride is simply being a veteran.
“It’s kind of an exclusive club that I’m proud to be in,” she said. “Yeah, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It made me who I am today.”
Kristen Hardigree
Kristen Hardigree was the only one of her friends or classmates who joined the military.
She grew up in Philomath and traveled little.
“I guess I felt isolated,” Hardigree said. “I knew there was a whole world out there I needed to see about.”
Hardigree knew she didn’t want to go to college. Having already spoken to a recruiter in high school, the Air Force seemed like the natural next step.
“I signed up and came home and I said, ‘Mama, I’m in the Air Force,’” Hardigree recounted.
Haridgree, who lives in Crawford with her family, served from 1990-1997.
During her first enlistment, stationed at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, California, she served in Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR), working specialty jobs like dining hall inventory, finance and event coordination.
“I loved it when I was there,” Hardigree said. “I think it’s an excellent opportunity for people that come from small towns and don’t see anything else of the world.”
She was going to leave after her first enlistment, but after being promoted to E-5, her commander talked her into becoming a recruiter, which took her to Jonesboro, Georgia.
Because she never saw combat, Hardigree said she has a hard time acknowledging herself on Veterans Day.
“I really don’t regard myself as a true veteran because I feel like people that were actually in combat should be the ones that we celebrate,” she said. “I feel like those people gave a lot more than I did. I feel like I got more than I gave.”
Regardless, Hardigree said she fondly remembers her time in the Air Force.
Don Davis
Don Davis served his country in the military for almost 50 years.
“Of all the years I have spent with the Air Force, I have no regrets,” Davis said. “I’d do it all over again.”
Davis was drafted in college and went on to serve 24 years in active duty.
He deployed to Thailand during the Vietnam War.
Even though he had no leadership experience, he said he was “thrown into” a supervisor position that held immense responsibility. He was charged with ensuring men did their jobs and no one got hurt or killed.
When Davis and other Vietnam vets returned, he said they were met with hostility.
But just two months ago, Davis experienced a different response.
He took the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., with about 60 other Vietnam veterans. Upon arrival, the vets were greeted with an enormous crowd, cheering and waving flags.
“I wish now they would put more in history books to teach kids in high school about Vietnam,” Davis said. “I think if they would, the younger generation coming up would have a better respect for this country.”
When active duty came to an end, Davis spent 25 years as a support contractor for the Department of Defense, traveling the world as a civilian to support Air Force helicopters.
Davis, who is retired and lives in Crawford, received the highest enlisted rank possible in the military: E-9. Only 1% of the military holds this rank.
“When I wear something (veteran) related, people will always come up to thank me. I’ve experienced it more here than any place I think I’ve lived,” Davis said. “In this county, continue to thank a veteran whenever you meet or see one.”