A Portage Life in the Spotlight: Bruce Thorn

There are many criteria for being a good citizen, and lifelong Portage resident Bruce Thorn meets them all.

Thorn was born and raised in Portage alongside five brothers. His childhood and young adulthood spanned a turbulent time in America; the 1950s were gripped by the Cold War, and the 1960s were plagued by the war in Vietnam, where Thorn began his military career.

Thorn joined the Navy at the behest of his boss at the time, who told him it’d be best to enlist early, so he’d have more of a say in which branch he’d end up in. This advice and consideration from his boss is something Thorn still thinks highly of, teaching him the importance of listening to your elders.

“My boss said, ‘If you still need your job back afterwards, you got it.’ So I took that advice and joined the Navy,” Thorn said.

Thorn worked in the Navy as a part of the VA-165 bombing squadron, where he assisted the officers who informed bombing pilots on where to go and what to do. His time in the squadron was a mixed bag; he was not directly in the line of fire, but he felt a lot of responsibility over his pilots’ well being.

“It wasn’t blood and guts,” Thorn said, “It was very enlightening. We worked entirely with the air crews in briefings.”

Thorn’s time in the Navy ended, and his career assisting fellow veterans began. He has worked with the American Legion for over 53 years helping veterans and their families secure the benefits they fought hard for.

“I can direct them. Depending on what they’re asking, I can show them who to contact and what papers they need,” said Thorn.

While Thorn’s work helping veterans is remarkable, many residents of Portage know him for something different; his vast amount of volunteer work. He has raised funds that supplied police officers with bullet-proof vests. He supports funeral honors with the Honor Guard, who provide the final honors at funerals for veterans. He volunteers for countless other community events. Perhaps his most impactful work in the Portage community, though, is his founding of Portage’s American Legion Baseball Program.

Portage’s American Legion Baseball program seeks to give children the opportunity to participate in America’s pastime who do not normally have the opportunity to do so; the program primarily serves children from school systems lacking baseball teams.

Thorn’s long life has blessed him with 60 years of marriage to his wife, Gail Thorn. The couple had two children, two grandchildren, and are soon to be the great-grandparents of two great-grandchildren.

Thorn’s time in the Navy helped sculpt him into the man he is today. Everyone’s path in life is different, though, and while the benefits of military service can be bountiful, Thorn wouldn’t recommend it for everyone. Now at 80 years old, his advice to younger generations is much wiser and widely applicable.

“The military isn’t for everyone, but there are a lot of benefits,” Thorn said. “Just be productive, be a good citizen, and try to do something after high school.”

Thorn’s life revolves around assisting others and supporting his community. Whether it be through his work with the American Legion or his volunteering, Thorn is always helping somebody. The Portage community is lucky to have him.