Gerard Hatley:
What’s your favorite military memory? -My favorite military memory happened during my first overseas assignment at Camp Howze, South Korea in 1988. While assigned to DMZ mission, I was able to attend the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea multiple times. After the long train ride to the Sports Complex, some of the Olympic Athletes I met included, Florence Griffith Joyner, Car Lewis, Greg Louganis, Ray Mercer and there many more who took pictures with the US Soldiers.
Favorite Military Base: -Fort Carson, CO was my first military base and most favorite locations because of its beautiful scenery and Rocky Mountains landscape with areas like Pikes Peak National Forest, Garden of the Gods and Cheyenne Mountain.
Favorite City the Mobile has sent you? Nevada and California.
Most memorable event with the USO and why? -The FOB Fenty USO located in Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan during my 2012 and 2015 deployments reserves a special place with me because the Center Manager really understood the importance of providing a relaxing stress-free environment for Soldiers when not out on mission. This USO in a deployed environment also worked closely with the command teams to provide many team building events like, St Patrick’s Day Run, Iron Soldier competitions and most importantly it was a place that help Soldiers stay connected to families and friends back home.
One fun fact about yourself? -I have six older brothers and five older sisters and yes, I’m truly number twelve in the order of merit, especially when it comes to input on annual family reunion decisions.