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Illinois man spent 57 years in Nat'l Guard
MOWEAQUA, Ill., A 75-year-old Illinois man has finally retired from the U.S. Army National Guard after serving 57 years in the citizen military force.
Last month, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Nelson "Gene" Blakey of Moweaqua wrapped up his stint, started in March 1953 with a challenge from a friend and employer, KSDK-TV, St. Louis, reported Monday.
Army Sgt. Maj. Donnie R. Parker says the National Guard may have people who can do the work Blakey did, "but as far as the person, I do not think you will ever find anyone who will compare with the person that Mr. Blakey is."
Ray Perry of Springfield, Ill., personnel support officer for the Illinois National Guard and a retired Guard colonel, agrees Blakey's personality set him apart.
"I always enjoyed making my morning rounds and getting the latest news or thought for the day from him," Perry said. "He always had the ability to put a smile on your face."
Blakey started his military career working in a U.S. Property and Fiscal Office warehouse and progressed through the ranks to chief warrant officer 4. He retired as a traditional guardsman in 1994, but stayed on as a state employee for 16 more years.
"My most rewarding position was the last job I had working in the personnel department, because I was able to help enlisted people," he said in an article released by the Defense Department. "If they had a problem and could not get it solved within their unit, I would try to help get it solved.
"My family has been supportive of me," said Blakey, whose wife Bonnie also is retired from the Illinois National Guard. "If your family knows what you are doing, they stay with you and help you through everything."
Though Blakey has retired from what amounts to nearly three 20-year military careers back-to-back-back, he says he's not going to be loafing.
"I will have horses to take care of, along with house and barn work to do," he said. "I will not slow down. I will keep going as long as I can."
MOWEAQUA, Ill., A 75-year-old Illinois man has finally retired from the U.S. Army National Guard after serving 57 years in the citizen military force.
Last month, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Nelson "Gene" Blakey of Moweaqua wrapped up his stint, started in March 1953 with a challenge from a friend and employer, KSDK-TV, St. Louis, reported Monday.
Army Sgt. Maj. Donnie R. Parker says the National Guard may have people who can do the work Blakey did, "but as far as the person, I do not think you will ever find anyone who will compare with the person that Mr. Blakey is."
Ray Perry of Springfield, Ill., personnel support officer for the Illinois National Guard and a retired Guard colonel, agrees Blakey's personality set him apart.
"I always enjoyed making my morning rounds and getting the latest news or thought for the day from him," Perry said. "He always had the ability to put a smile on your face."
Blakey started his military career working in a U.S. Property and Fiscal Office warehouse and progressed through the ranks to chief warrant officer 4. He retired as a traditional guardsman in 1994, but stayed on as a state employee for 16 more years.
"My most rewarding position was the last job I had working in the personnel department, because I was able to help enlisted people," he said in an article released by the Defense Department. "If they had a problem and could not get it solved within their unit, I would try to help get it solved.
"My family has been supportive of me," said Blakey, whose wife Bonnie also is retired from the Illinois National Guard. "If your family knows what you are doing, they stay with you and help you through everything."
Though Blakey has retired from what amounts to nearly three 20-year military careers back-to-back-back, he says he's not going to be loafing.
"I will have horses to take care of, along with house and barn work to do," he said. "I will not slow down. I will keep going as long as I can."
