As Veterans Day passes, it’s time to recognize Dominion staff for their bravery and service. Veterans are an important part of our nation, protecting our freedoms and liberty. Not only that, they’re sharing lessons in resilience, discipline, and courage honed from years in military service—lessons that enrich their teaching and offer students a unique perspective.
Serving in the military is not only a selfless act, it’s a sure fire way to help further one’s education and goals. Tom Chuba, testing coordinator, was a commander in the Coast Guard that joined the military to be able to go through college.
“[The military gave me] discipline, [it] gave me some focus on what I wanted to do. The opportunities I had in the Coast Guard [and] the jobs I got were great, I liked doing them. When I retired, I ended up going into teaching, because that actually had been one of my assignments, during my active duty time. I went back to the Coast Guard Academy as a chemistry instructor,” Chuba said.
Rickie Atkins, athletic trainer, served in the Marine Corps. “[The Marines] were the toughest kids on the block,” Atkins said regarding why he joined. After 12 years, he switched branches and joined the National Guard totaling 27 years of service in the military. “If I didn’t go into the Marine Corps, I wouldn’t be here. It gave me a sense of purpose, motivation, and discipline, [telling me] that I could achieve anything,” Atkins said.
“We got a saying [in the Marine Corps.] It stands for Uncle Sam’s misguided children,” Atkins said. Atkins described his time in the Marine Corps, being filled with young guys ages ranging from 18 to 19, being handed numerous responsibilities. “We can be a little crazy, a little aggressive, and a pain in the butt. But, when [things get real], you want the Marine Corps there,” Atkins said.
Michelle Fournier, special education teacher, grew up volunteering at the Veterans Affairs Center which gave her the encouragement to follow in the footsteps of the veterans before her. “[I have a] big appreciation for the veterans already from everything that I saw at the VA Center,” Fournier said.
“I saw the consequences of battle, most of the time [the veterans] would never have changed what they did,” Fournier said. Many of the soldiers at the VA center were purple heart recipients.
Not only did Fournier serve in the Army, she additionally served in the Air National Guard in 2002, which led to opportunities within her degree. “I did visual communications because when I went into the International Guard I had a photography degree and computer digital imaging,” Fournier said.
Tom Kalka, physical education teacher, was a captain in the Army. “I can do anything, is what I felt like in the military,” Kalka said. One of Kalkas biggest accomplishments in the Army was graduating from Army Ranger school. Army Rangers are rigorously trained to exhaustion, they direct-action raid forces capable of tackling difficult missions.
