Serving our School and our country
Two of D-T-’s custodians refelt on their time in the U.S. Military
By: Morgan Haba
John Killion and John Groshans, janitors at Doniphan-Trumbull, once served in the United States Military. Though they both served in different branches, they both experienced hardships, along with many good times, throughout their service.
John Killion pledged to serve his country on May 31, 1977, in San Diego, California. He continued to serve for 20 years, six months, and two days. Killion started with seven years in the Marine Corps, followed by 13 in the Nebraska National Guard.
“I was deployed just about everywhere!” Killion recalled.
His military journey began in California where he attended boot camp. Killion’s first duty station was a year-long stay at Camp Pendleton in southern California. He then spent the following year in Okinawa, Japan.
“I got on some military floats. We [Marines] would get on the ships and float around neighboring countries. We went to Singapore, Thailand, Korea, and Australia. I really went all around the Pacific Ocean. You never know how blue the Pacific Ocean is, or how big until you see it. You can go weeks without seeing any land, it’s just blue,” said Killion.
Throughout his time in those countries, he continued training alongside his fellow Marines from other countries. Later in his career, he was stationed in the Desert of Twentynine Palms, California, for about three years. There he served as a tank commander on an M1A1.
“I got out for six months or so. Then I joined the Nebraska National Guard,” stated Killion.
He had started out in Hastings and Grand Island, Nebraska, and later moved into Lincoln. Over the course of service in the National Guard, he was deployed in Honduras and Italy. Killion was appointed to airport security in McCook and Grand Island due to the falling of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001.
“Although I was never deployed to any hot spots, I am still considered a part of the Cold War era [1947-1991],” said Killion.
Killion was able to make many fond memories over the years. One memory he will never forget is his time in boot camp.
“You think you’re a hot shot when you graduate from high school,” Killion said. “You go to boot camp or basic training, and they rock your world. You roll in at two to three in the morning, while the drill instructors yell at you, buzz all your hair off and disorientate you. About two hours later, they get you up by throwing trashcans to wake you all up. That’s something you’ll never forget.”
Apart from a rigid schedule, Killion remembers the amount of trust you make with the people around you.
“The comradeship within your team, within your squad, within your tank crew. You build trust, a bond, with each other. Getting deployed was always, I don’t know, a little scary but fun at the same time. The people who you run into and make friends with, are forever,” commented Killion.
John Groshans, an Air Force veteran, started his early career on June 21, 1986. He continued to serve until June 19, 1992. Over his years in the Air Force, Groshans tended to airplanes in various countries.
He had been stationed in Alaska, Korea, Japan, and Germany. During his time of service, Desert Storm, also known as the Gulf War, took place.
“We just turned and burned airplanes. We loaded them up with fuel and bombs, then sent them back out,” said Groshans.
With many lives at risk during a war, he quickly learned to trust his crew. Even though he served years ago, Groshans still applies the valuable lessons learned during his time in the Airforce.
“You must learn very fast to trust the guy next to you. You also learn lots about work ethic and chain of command,” stated Groshans.
Apart from engaging in battle, Groshans participated in the Gunsmoke Competition. This competition was to showcase the gunnery and bombing accuracy of jet and fighter aircraft that were hosted by the United States Air Force.
“It was a great competition. We placed fourth out of 38 teams. It was a lot of fun,” recalled Groshans.
Everyone at D-T is very thankful for these two veterans. We can’t express how grateful we are to have you at our school.