Loren Brown was pre-destined to serve his country. His father, along with all seven of his brothers and sisters were in the military. He was known as what you would call a “military brat.” He was surrounded by those who yearned to serve and excel in their future. It was something he knew would lead him onto a better life, not only career wise, but personally as well.

            Loren enlisted in the Air Force when he was 18 years old. His father had served in the Army, but advised Loren that the Air Force would provide him with a better education and career field. Loren served for about eight years in the Southwest Asia Campaign, which was towards the end of the Desert Storm. His last deployment was for 9/11 and as soon as he returned home, he put his papers in to withdraw from the service. He completed a total of five tours during his time in the Air Force. Those individual days of those five tours were marked with a tally underneath the brim of one particular hat Loren carried with him throughout his entire time in the service. He still has this hat to this very day.

            Before he enlisted in the Air Force, Loren had a pre-conceived notion of what military life was like due to his life as a “military brat.” He imagined it being the same way as when his father served. He envisioned himself being in the field all of the time while having to live in run down barracks. However, when he enlisted, it proved to be much different for him. He saw that there really was a much better quality of life for him out there in the world. He got to see his potential and the career opportunities that awaited him. The Air Force had benefits he never even expected.

            When he served, he developed habits that helped excel him in his professional life. He developed a stride to be competitive in the work force and to make a profit. He learned how to be a go-getter. Loren also developed a special habit of conserving space. Stemming from conserving space for trash over in the desert, Loren still crushes his water bottles down with the lid on top in order to throw them out. He recalled a funny memory while out in the field one day. The guys were squirting one another with the fire crash trucks. Well unbeknownst to them, the General was behind the truck and the guys almost squirted him which would have created an actual international incident! 

            When Loren ended his time in the service, he walked away with so much knowledge and so many tools. He was ready to start his new life per se. And now looking back, he has advice for those who are transitioning out of the military. The number one thing would be to utilize every resource the military has in order to help the transition back into the “normal” routine of family and home life. Essentially, you are starting back at the bottom and it is up to you to use your resources to climb back up! Loren also stays in touch with several of the guys he served with. Leaning on them for support can be helpful too, sharing similar experiences never gets old. Nowadays, Loren has actually come full circle. He tests the equipment that is used in the service and out in the fields. He is also able to see how much more technologically advanced the machine weaponry is now compared to back when he served.

            More recently however, last summer in July, Loren Brown joined the Millersville VFW. He became the President of the Corporation Officers of the Millersville Post after a fellow Corporation Officer reached out for some tips on how to make some improvements around the club. Loren enjoys his position because he likes serving his community and the Post members. He likes representing the Post and being a servant leader within the VFW and the Millersville community.

            Some of Loren’s favorite nights at the Millersville VFW are Friday nights with the DJ and Wednesday Wing Nights. He really likes seeing new and familiar faces at the Post. He likes when everyone comes out and gets together for a good time because it shows him that the work he is putting in to make it an enjoyable environment for everyone is working. He enjoys seeing the interaction between all of the officers and the patrons and the staff. Loren even got in the holiday spirit recently and dressed up as Santa for the kids at the Post’s Family Christmas Party. When families can all come together, there really is nothing better than that.

            Loren Brown was a fellow Air Force member who did an amazing job serving our country. His need to serve has followed him throughout life. Now, as the Millersville VFW Post President, his acts of kindness and service never fall short.