The story of U.S. Army veteran Rudy Fowler is a captivating one.
Fowler has a long family history of military service and says his career began when was drafted into the army.
click to download audioFowler was told to report to Ft. Knox, where he remained until he was given new orders: Vietnam.
click to download audioIn Vietnam, Fowler quickly moved up the chain of command, going from a Unit Company Clerk to a Supply Sergeant with the Company B 864th Engineers, where he helped build a road in Vietnam. Fowler was then promoted to Staff Sergeant, where he commanded his own squad. Fowler did more than simply command — he looked after his men no matter what. When one of his men found out their mother had cancer, Fowler submitted a waiver that would move orders along faster, making sure the soldier could be with his mother when she passed.
click to download audioFowler ultimately decided to stay in the military and traveled along with his wife and two children to West Berlin in Germany.
click to download audioOver time, Fowler and his family were sent to various U.S. states and even Holland, then finally to Washington D.C., where Fowler served in a military intelligence position.
click to download audioFowler then served in the 501st MI Brigade in Seoul, Korea, during the same time as the 1980 Olympic Games, which his children had the opportunity to watch live. After two years, Fowler returned to the U.S. and was the commander of the Personnel Systems Point at the international airport in Philadelphia. Finally, Fowler and his wife decided it was time to retire and return to Western Kentucky.
Fowler says seeing the community come together for a day like Memorial Day makes everything he went through in his military career worth it. Given the chance, he would do it all over again.
