Left to right: Gene and Ed
On Veterans Day, we honor and thank our military service members who have bravely served or currently serve in the United States Armed Forces. Our Publix family is grateful for the military personnel who protect our country, at home and abroad.
Liquor Store Clerk Gene Parent, #1155, The Villages, Florida, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1965 right after Thanksgiving and served 3 years in the computer operations field. However, he says the highlight of his service didn’t happen for another 42 years.
“At my son’s wedding, we met a couple, Ed and Sandi, who ended up moving to The Villages and shopping at the same store I worked,” said Gene. “One day while talking to Sandi at Publix, she mentioned her husband, Ed, served in World War II and had never received his Army Air Corps medals. She knew I had computer skills and could help research how to go about getting Ed’s medals, so I spent the next 7 years doing so.”
Gene researched and found documentation online of Ed’s plane and crew being shot down by enemy fighter planes on April 11, 1944. Ed was in a top turret gunner position on their B-24 Liberator heavy bomber while on a bombing run from Hethel Airfield in southeastern England, U.K. Their aircraft caught on fire and the plane was going down. Ed was severely burned but still came out of his gunner position and alerted the pilot of the danger they were in. The pilot gave the order to abandon ship, and Ed and 5 other crew members jumped out. The other 4 crew members — pilot, copilot, navigator and bombardier — stayed with the plane.
About 30 seconds after Ed and the other 5 jumped, their plane exploded in midair. Sadly, one crew member’s parachute didn’t open. Ed and the other 4 survivors were captured and became prisoners of war (POWs) at a camp in southeast Germany. Because of Ed’s condition, he was taken to a hospital, but 2 weeks later joined the other survivors at the camp where he was held for 13 months. When he was finally rescued, Ed was in a forced march of 275 miles that took 30 days to complete.
For his injuries in the line of duty, Ed should have received a Purple Heart.
“For years I worked to get Ed his WWII medals,” Gene explained. “I had to write a letter to the president to request Ed’s Purple Heart, and when it finally came in the mail, I called his wife, Sandi, to deliver the good news. We both cried over the phone.”
Gene spent the next 6 months making arrangements for the formal awards ceremony. Over 85 guests were in attendance, including Ed’s family and friends, a soloist, deacon, and color and honor guard. The commanding officer from Fort Stewart, Georgia, and his command sergeant major performed the honors, and the formal citation was read aloud that described the circumstances of April 11, 1944.
“Ed will be 98 years old in December. He is my hero,” said Gene. “The highlight and highest honor of my military service has been helping Ed receive a Purple Heart and the honor he rightfully deserves.”
Online Exclusive
Cashier Bill Boulter, #229, New Smyrna Beach, Florida
“I enlisted in the Navy right out of high school in 1966, served on USS Forrestal until 1970 but in 1967 I was part of the worst naval disaster since World War II. We were the 1st East Coast carrier to fight in the Vietnam War. When we arrived in the Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam, we flew missions for 5 days and on the 5th night we took on old, leaking WWII bombs — which turned out to be a mistake.
In the morning on our 6th day, we planned to get rid of them with 2 big strikes. On the 2nd launch, with 52 planes loaded with bombs and fuel, a missile took off across the deck striking a fuel plane that had 1,000 bombs and 2 800-gallon fuel tanks when it exploded, causing explosions and fire everywhere. We lost 102 out of 110 planes and all 10 helicopters. We fought the fire for 4 days. 131 men were killed and 400 injured.
We have a special place in Arlington Cemetery for the brave men who gave their lives that day, and we have a reunion every year to honor them. I thank God every day I was spared.”
DSD Clerk Diane Johnston, #709, Lakewood Ranch, Florida
“I served in the U.S. Army for 20 years. My maternal grandfather, father and brother also served in the U.S. Army. My grandfather served in World War II. During wartime, both a husband and wife can be given orders, and in 1991, my husband and I were both given orders to serve in Desert Storm. It was especially hard because I had just given birth to our 2nd child 2 weeks prior, and we also had a 2-year-old daughter.
Luckily, my parents cared for our children for 13 months while my husband and I were gone. Back then, there wasn’t the technology of today to keep in communication with loved ones. I missed my children deeply.
During wartime, you learn a lot about yourself — how strong you are, mentally and physically. You learn teamwork and to depend on your fellow soldiers in order to stay alive. I am extremely proud to have served my country because it made me who I am today. My military background is very helpful with my Publix career and how I serve my community. I love where I am today with Publix.”
Produce Clerk Al Pinkham, #1196, Zephyrhills, Florida
“I served as a sergeant in the Army for 7 1/2 years. I was 17 years old when I enlisted so I had to grow up real fast. I was young, on my own and scared. Our uniforms bonded us as a team, and we stuck together as brothers. I spent most of my time overseas, serving in the Vietnam War and also in Korea and Germany. I don’t regret my years of service. When the military calls you to serve, you go.”
Front Service Clerk Glynn Hagins, #611, Tampa, Florida
“I enlisted in 1970 and served in the military for 3 1/2 years. I was stationed on the USS Noa during the Vietnam War. The ship was being sent to Vietnam when we started to have engine issues, so we were diverted to pick up astronaut John Glenn when Friendship 7 splashed down in the Atlantic.
The USS Noa was going to be the escort for the military ship USS Saratoga but was replaced by another ship. That ship was hit by a bomb in the area that I would have been stationed. I’ve learned and seen a lot of things I wouldn’t have otherwise. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have served.”
DSD Clerk Wesley Hooper, #1290, Ormond Beach, Florida
“I entered active-duty Air Force in 1996 as a security force member. After serving 3 years in Turkey, I cross-trained into the Middle Eastern linguist job class for the Persian Farsi language. During my time, I deployed 10 times to various places including the Middle East and South America.
I met my wife, Ayten, who also works at Publix at #827, Holly Hill, Florida, at my first duty station and we have been married for 23 years. I retired in 2016 as a master sergeant and have enjoyed working at Publix for 3 years now. I love Publix because it feels like family.”
Bakery Manager Joe Kaidor, #1444, DeLand, Florida
“Before joining the military, I was a full-time baker at #336, St. Augustine, Florida. In 1999, I made the decision to join the U.S. Army. I value my 8 years in the Army; it shaped the man I am today and taught me the discipline necessary to be successful as a bakery manager while also showing Publix’s commitment to be responsible citizens in our community. Publix was very supportive of my decision to join the U.S. Army and valued my commitment to my country.”
Assistant Store Manager Justine Balboa, #1444, DeLand, Florida
“I joined the U.S. Navy immediately after graduating high school in 2001. My first duty station was in Naples, Italy, for 2 years as an active member of Operation Enduring Freedom. Later, I was stationed to the USS Falcon in south Texas. I operated the underwater sonar along with multiple other duties on the ship. Due to an injury, I was then transitioned to shore duty where I worked directly for a captain and an admiral.
I completed 5 years in the Navy before returning to civilian life and being hired as a meat cutter at #248, Daytona Beach, Florida. It wasn’t much of a transition though, as Publix has similar structures as the military. I’m proud to work for a company that has strong core values and involvement in the community.”
