From left, Kosciusko County Veteran Affairs Officer Rich Maron, Kosciusko County Commissioner President Bob Conley, Veteran of the Month Gary Hurd, Commissioner Vice President Cary Groninger and Commissioner Brad Jackson. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Gary Hurd of Warsaw was honored as Veteran of the Month at the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting Tuesday, May 11. 

He was born in Auxier, Ky., on April 12, 1947, to Isom and Worlie Hurd, the youngest of 10 children.

Hurd during his time in the military. Photo provided.

Hurd grew up in the Claypool area. He graduated from Claypool High School in 1965 and joined the U.S. Air Force in November 1965.

Hurd was sent to  Lackland Air Base in Texas for basic training and attended tech school at Shepherd Air Force Base in Texas.  

His first assignment was at Sewart Air Base in Smyrna, Tenn., where he became a crew chief on a C-130.  

Hurd spent two and a half years there.

After that, he received an overseas assignment to Clark Air Force Base in The Philippines as well as temporary duty assignments in and out of Vietnam.

Hurd was discharged in November 1969.

In March 1970, he married Sandra England. They are the parents of Timothy Hurd and Dr. Tabitha Temple. They also have five grandchildren.

Hurd was employed with Kosciusko REMC for 31 years. 

He is an active member of New Hope Freewill Baptist Church.  

“Dad is quite proud of his time serving in the U.S. Air Force and rightfully so,” said Hurd’s son, Tim. “To serve your county in this capacity is honorable enough but to do so during a time of war (Vietnam) is even more deserving of recognition.”

Tim said his father “would never want the spotlight because he truly saw his time in the military as an honor.”

“I’m admittedly a little biased, but he epitomizes words like loyalty, dedication, hard-working and caring just to name a few.  As long as I can remember, he spends much more time helping others than he ever spends on himself,” Tim said. “His example of a Godly man who embraces the responsibilities of tirelessly loving his family and selflessly serving others has greatly impacted my own growth as a man, husband and father.”

Hurd is now fully retired. His hobbies include gardening, cutting fire wood and visiting sick and/or shut-in church members.

Hurd expressed gratitude to friends and classmates who showed up for the presentation.

“Thank you for this honor,” Hurd said after being presented with a framed certificate. “I appreciate getting to serve my country like I did. I’d do it all over again if I could.”

From left, Kosciusko Commissioner President Bob Conley, Veteran of the Month Gary Hurd and Commissioner Vice President Cary Groninger. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels