Mike Minnick is pictured in his uniform from when he was in basic training in 1966.

By Caleigh Byrer
InkFreeNews

MILFORD — Mike Minnick has spent the past 40 years living in or around the Milford area. He was raised on a farm in North Webster and upon his graduation from North Webster High School, he joined the Navy at the young age of 18.

Minnick said he chose to join the Navy because “if you weren’t in college or married, you were probably going to get drafted anyway.” Minnick completed two Vietnam tours and spent a year in Scotland. After he got out of the Navy, he joined the National Guard. He also wanted to continue his education, so he went on to take a few college courses.

During Desert Storm, the National Guard was running short on officers, which resulted in Minnick filling the executive officer slot. This meant he had to oversee an entire company of men and ensure their needs were met. He found it very rewarding to watch his subordinates progress, improve and receive promotions during this time and during his previous service.

A major takeaway for Minnick from his time in the service was discipline. He noted that in the Navy, you were first taught how to do things to the highest standard and then were expected to continue meeting those standards. His discipline and experience in leadership helped him in his business life, allowing him to fill various management roles.

One story Minnick was willing to share was how he found out he would be going to Vietnam. Minnick had entered the Navy intending to do submarine training when he fell ill with double pneumonia and was hospitalized for a week. Luckily, he returned one day short of being disqualified from basic training, which would have forced him to restart the process entirely.

When Minnick received his orders, they said he would be going to Davisville, R.I. He was not entirely sure what that meant for him, but he carried on with the assumption he would be boarding a ship there. Upon arrival at the base, he was taken into the barracks where his fate was still unclear to him. He woke up one of the men resting on a bunk and when Minnick mentioned going onto a ship, the man asked to see his orders.

Mike Minnick is shown on Red Beach in Vietnam, which is where he was stationed during his first tour.

The man told him, “You’re not going on any ship, you’re going to Vietnam in six months, with us.”

Minnick stated he has a few close friendships that have lasted the course of his life, a few of which are also veterans. To this day, they still get together for breakfast sometimes. He referred to these friendships and the relationship between Vietnam veterans as brotherhoods, stating, “That bond will stay with us until the grave.”

Minnick believes there needs to be emphasis on what veterans have done for this country and the people of this country. “Kids need to know what it means to leave your home and fight or serve for a cause. It’s not just about me, but also my dad, my uncles, my brother, neighbors, it is about all of us.”

He went on to say there have been so many wars of various sizes and severity, and there have always been individuals willing to sign their life away to fight for or protect us in one way or another. It is important to give these individuals recognition and show them appreciation for what they were willing to do.

Minnick plans to spend this Veterans Day participating in the Milford Middle School program and getting lunch at a local American Legion.