Tags: veterans day
America is home to about 18 million living military veterans, from the “Greatest Generation” to men and women coming home from recent tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. From the beginning of the republic to the present, military service has been a transformative experience for those who have served.
At The Macomb Group, 23 of our employees have proudly served their country. Today, we profile two veterans who share their military experiences.
Mark Richards – U.S. Army
Richards is employed as a inside sales manager at the company’s Sterling Heights HQ but has 30-years of experience in the wholesale industry. As a young man growing up in Fremont, Ohio, he was exploring his educational and career options “when I decided to walk into the army recruitment office and sign up.”
Having an interest in the medical field, he trained as an Army Medic, and served a three-year tour of duty from 1987-90 as a dental assistant both in the field and on post at the U.S. Army Air Base in Fulda, Germany.
“It’s a beautiful country,” Richards recalls, “It was also during the period the Berlin Wall came down. That was an intense time to have been there.”
Shortly after Richards returned home from Germany, he was reactivated for six months to serve stateside in 1991 when the Gulf War broke out, unleashing Operation Desert Storm.
His takeaways on military service: “I enjoyed the camaraderie, and the importance of backing your buddies up. Building teamwork, loyalty, being on time and keeping things proper,” he says.
Dwight Coffield – U.S. Air Force
Coffield is employed at The Macomb Group’s Toledo, Ohio branch in the warehouse and as a driver. He has the distinction of serving a 34-year career in the U.S. Air Force and National Guard.
He joined the Air Force in 1982, beginning a four-year tour of duty after graduating high school in Bowling Green, Ohio.
“I served part of that time in Anchorage, Alaska, and later in Denver, Colorado as part of law enforcement and security forces,” Coffield recalls. “I was fortunate to have served in those scenic areas while continuing to do my duty”
His first tour of duty having ended, Coffield continued to serve as an active guard reservist with the 180th Fighter Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard at the Toledo Express Airport. He retired from military service in 2016 with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant.
Lessons learned from his long military career: “Professionalism, having a strong work ethic, and having respect for and understanding of others,” Coffield says.
As we observe Veterans Day, this special day of thanks and remembrance, The Macomb Group honors and appreciates all our military veteran associates for their service to our nation.
Thank You for Your Service –
Akron, OH: Mike Logsdon, John Yakubik
Carrollton, KY: Warren Hill
Flint, MI: Larry Hammond
Grand Rapids, MI: Leonard Venneman Jr.
Jeffersonville, IN: Steve Dorrenbacher, Cecil White, Chris Thornbury
Kalamazoo, MI: Matt VanDorp
Lansing, MI: Patrick Reedy
Livonia, MI: Rhonda McArthur, Ray Stratos
Midland, MI: James Niinisto
Sterling Heights, MI: Terry McGivern, Mark Richards, Jason Keomany, Andy Davidson, Eric Scaglione, Ron Harrington, Dave Bylski
Toledo, OH: Dwight Coffield, Jason Klocinski, Jeff Carr
