Veteran’s Day is truly one of our favorite times of the year to be able to help show our gratitude to those who have dedicated all or a portion of their lives to helping protect our freedoms. We owe it all to all of those in uniform, whether past, present, or future.

This year, in honor of one of our deserving veterans and in celebration of Veteran’s Day, a United States Flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol. We wanted to take a moment to share a little bit about this special veteran, Dave Kloack (pictured below), and share a little bit of his story.

Dave followed a long line of his family members into the military and served from July of 1976 to January 1980, during peacetime. Most of his veteran family was in the Navy and Dave followed suit. He made the rank of Boatswains Mate Second Class (E5) just prior to his enlistment ending.

He vividly remembers when his ship crossed the equator; he was initiated from a ‘polywog’ into a ‘shellback’. It was a day-long event consisting of various unpleasant tasks and rituals to help prove his seaworthiness. Those in the Navy past or present may have funny memories of this ritual, too!

Dave was given a wonderful opportunity to use the ‘old’ GI Bill which allowed him to obtain his degrees from Jackson Community College and Central Michigan University without any student loans following his service. He shared with us that he thinks (or hopes) that he still carries over the work ethic and dedication to a job that the military taught him. He said his family agrees his “neat freak” tendencies have stayed with him!

Dave – Thank you for your years of service and for sharing your story with us.

To our men and women in uniform, words cannot thank you enough. This Veteran’s Day and every day, we continue to hold you in the highest of regards. Thank you for all you have done.