By Tiffany Green
PRCM (AW/SW) Charles Kent is proud of his military service. After serving 22 years in the United States Navy, Kent takes time each Memorial Day to remember those who were lost serving their country.
He was a late starter for military standards, joining the Navy in 1981 at age 28.
“I felt my maturity level was better than the 18-year-olds joining,” he said. “I knew what I wanted to do with my life.”
After meeting a recruiter while working at the bowling alley in Cullman, he decided to join.
“I decided it was time for me to join the service and serve my country,” Kent said.
His dad and brothers were in different branches of the service.
“It was tough, but I always felt that if I approach everything with the right attitude, I could do it.”
He had been married to his wife Phyllis for a little more than a year when he enlisted.
“My wife raised the family and was a wonderful Navy wife,” he said.
While serving his country, Kent and his wife had three daughters. He said it was difficult on them. Moving around and changing schools took a toll on the family.
“All of my girls were born at different military bases,” he said. “It was hard moving the family around.”
During his service, Kent traveled around the world. One of his favorite spots was the island of Bermuda, where he was part of a squadron who hunted for enemy submarines.
“It was a beautiful island with pink sand,” he said. “But we put in a lot of long hours.”
Kent’s first assignment after attending 13 weeks of Aircrew Survival Equipmentman School in New Jersey, was at HT-18 NAS Jacksonville, Fla. A few years later he was deployed to Signonella, Sicily.
He said he rose through the ranks quickly because of his dedication to his job.
After more than 17 years of total active service he was advanced to Master Chief and was selected to be in charge of the parachute riggers school in Pensacola, Fla.
Kent took his job very seriously and saw every day as a new challenge.
Kent told of one man’s death on the ship when his plane went overboard.
“I had to deal with a lot,” he said. “I had a passion for concern of safety and welfare of others.”
He wants people to remember why the country celebrates Memorial Day and what the real meaning is.
“This country is being protected by people willing to fight and who weren’t forced to go,” he said. “Memorial Day is just a day when I think about the sacrifices men and women gave for our country.”
Today, Memorial Day is often celebrated with cookouts and spending the day at the lake, but Kent wants people to remember the real meaning.
“There were men that fought and to know that someone as the Bible says, that would lay down their life for a loved one.”
Kent said he does not want recognition for his service, but feels honored when someone does thank him.
“It is nice to be recognized when you have given up and lot. It effects a lot of people.”
‰ Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 221.
