This Veterans Day, be sure to thank those that have served our country! Many of our local leaders are still serving our community. Thank you to all who served our nation and those who continue to serve!
Anthony Tyre, current Mayor Pro tem on Washington’s City Council, served in the U.S. Army many years. When asked about some of the most memorable parts of his service, he says serving with strong leaders really made an impact on him. "It was not just about the service, but about the people. The leaders that I served with and understanding leadership was very important to me. I retired as an MP and worked in corrections. I actually deployed from Fort Bragg to Afghanistan to work in detainee ops for the unit that I deployed with. So you can imagine the leadership experience that you get from that."
Tyre says one of the most important life lessons he learned was being able to understand people. "As a leader, as I made it through my ranks, there were certain things we had to get done. And as I got older and even when I got out, learning that we can accomplish our goals even if we don’t do it the same way, as long as we have the same goal in mind."
He says that his experiences in the Army really shaped how he serves now, as a city councilman, a community leader, and in his job as a therapist. He says his hope for the future of Washington is to ensure that the children and youth here get what they need to succeed no matter where they go. "My vision is finding a way to keep our small-town feel while making sure we set up everyone for success. [Our youth] have to be able to compete. Everybody has their own niche, and I think if you can empower people to work in their own space, I think you have a great community from that. That’s how I try to work. If you can find that understanding of others, go from there."
Washingtonian Fred Watkins is also a Veteran. He served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia on the USS Nashville. Watkins says one of the most valuable lessons he learned is discipline. He says he’s very thankful that he was able to serve his country as well as travel to different places, such as the Mediterranean. When asked how his time in the military shaped his service now to the community, he says his father was a veteran as well and always active in the local community. "My dad was in the U.S. Army and fought in World War II. I had great uncles who served in the Army and the Navy."
When asked how he decided to enlist, he says he has always been around the water, so joining the Navy was a natural fit. "I love this water town and knew this would be a great way for me to serve and still be around water, my roots."
A local citizen who serves on numerous boards including the Washington Harbor District Alliance, the Waterfront Docks, and the Washington Tourism Development Authority, Watkins has great vision for the future of Washington. "I hope that the Tourism Development Authority introduces and gets new people to come to Washington and see what a great place we have that will encourage more industries to come to our area."
Ellen Brabo is a now local who served in the military and has now made Washington her home. Brabo served in the U.S. Army and takes service in every aspect seriously.
"My experience in the Army was the honor of a lifetime. I traveled to places I never imagined, met incredible people from all walks of life."
Brabo had taken those experiences with the military and made them something special for Washington.
"When I transitioned out of the Army in 2020, it was at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. That time revealed the challenges military families faced due to strict Airbnb cancellation policies."
Her mission became clear then. To provide affordable lodging with exceptional guest service.
That’s when she opened The Ell Hotel on Market Street in Washington to give people a place to stay in town. "Having grown up in a military family and serving myself, I understood these challenges all too."
Please salute these and all who have served our great country this Veterans Day!