Veteran Spotlight

Spencer Tipold, who was often called by the nickname “Tank” by many of his peers growing up, has had a longtime passion for the military. He was first introduced to the Air Force after witnessing his dad’s Air Force career. Ultimately, it was a moment …

Nicolette “Nikki” Huber comes from a family with a long history of military service. Her father and grandfather served in the Navy, and her brother also served in the military. “One of my children almost served, but so far I’m the last …

Christine “Chris” Martel served as a Legion Plus 94 Commander in the Navy for a total of four years, from 1986 through 1990. She entered the Navy after starting college in southern Indiana and ended up finishing school locally after serving. Her service …

Veteran Michael Malave served in the United States Marine Corps for several years. A native of Northwest Indiana, he went into the Marine Corps as a teenager shortly after graduating from high school. “I served in the United States Marine Corps from January …

At 18 years old, Ben Fugate joined the United States Army for multiple reasons. First and foremost, it was the opportunity to serve his country that led to him joining in the first place. The opportunity the Army gave to grow and the fact that service ran in …

Major Steven Green has a 20-year military career. A Purdue University alum, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1980 immediately after graduating and earning his bachelor’s degree. “From there, my first duty assignment was as a combat support …

Growing up in Kouts, Katie Payne knew from a very young age that she wanted to join the military. After high school, she attended St. Joseph’s College, considering a future teaching math or science. After one year, however, she knew where she …

Northwest Indiana native Mark Pryor served in the United States Army between 1994 and 1997. He left Valparaiso just after high school for nearly four years of military service. Pryor served both stateside and overseas.  “I was in the Army for three and …

Sergeant Stephany Leonard served for six years in the U.S. Army National Guard, voluntarily serving under Title 10 orders for four of her six years.  “In that role, I helped train soldiers and volunteered to support units preparing for mobilization,” she …

Jack Tipold is a veteran who served for four years in the Air Force.  “I served from 1982 to 1986,” he said. “I was a member of the Security Police (SP) in the Air Force. We worked the flight decks and protected the nuclear warheads.” As an SP …