L to R: Col. Lee Lewane, Russ Ralston, and Aaron Furman
Salute to Veterans
“Not self but country”; "We will defend”; “Always faithful”; and “Always prepared” are some of the mottos of the various branches of the United States military. For veterans Lee Lewane, Russ Ralston and Aaron Furman, these are not just inspiring words. They became instilled values and part of their daily lives while serving their country.
Col. Lee Lewane
Lewane made a 26-year career of the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of Colonel. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute as a member of the class of 1950B and within a year, reported for duty in Korea where he commanded tank companies during two combat tours. He faced the potential Cold War enemy patrolling the West German-Czechoslovakian border from 1956-58, and later served one tour in Vietnam. During the summer of 1966, he commanded the 1st Squadron of the 4th Cavalry, a unit that saw fierce fighting and earned a U.S. Presidential Unit Citation.
The two-time Silver Star recipient has been teaching history and government at BRCC for 27 years. Lewane believes his military service is an integral part of his teaching expertise. “It makes a significant difference when you can say to students ‘I was there’ as opposed to ‘turn to page 461 and read about it.’” He understands the importance of recognizing the military service of his students. “I always ask who has served in the military and ask the class to give them a round of applause for their service to our country.”
His grasp of the subject matter and the joy he finds in the classroom are palpable. “I love to teach history,” Lewane says. “It keeps my mind agile. I don’t think of this as work.”
“Veterans Day is a day to remember our comrades in arms who didn’t make it back,” he notes. And I enjoy being invited to reunions of the young men who served with me to share stories and honor them.”
At a recent presentation by survivors of the USS Indianapolis disaster, Lewane was inspired by the number of young people in attendance. “It’s important for them to hear what it’s like,” he says. “They may be called upon to serve, and it’s an abrupt change from being a student or citizen to joining the military.”
Russ Ralston
Russ Ralston grew up an “Army brat,” so in 1966 when it seemed eminent that he’d be drafted, Ralston went to the local recruiting office, prepared to enlist in the Army. But the U.S. Marine Corps recruiter was the only one in the building at the time, “and the rest as they say is history,” says Ralston with a chuckle. He served as an intelligence analyst until 1970.
“Really one of my biggest regrets is not staying in the Marines for 20 years,” he admits.
“Veterans Day is special in most veterans’ hearts,” Ralston says. “It’s a special day to remember those who served and protected our country. We went and did our duty, what we were ordered to do, but it’s nice that one day a year people say thank you.”
Ralston is closing another chapter of his career as he prepares to retire from BRCC in February, after working in the Academic Dean’s office since 1999. He’s been instrumental in the College’s efforts to collect toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program over the years. Also in attendance at the USS Indianapolis program, Ralston believes it’s extremely important for young people to see the personal side of history.
“With all the political correctness, sometimes we tend to want to rewrite history,” he says. “But we need to learn from history. That’s why I was pleased to see so many young people there.”
Aaron Furman
US Navy veteran Aaron Furman wishes Veterans Day happened more than once a year. “Veterans deserve our thanks every day,” he says. “Especially those wounded and who served during wartime. It makes me proud to be part of an exclusive group.”
Furman, 32, joined the Navy right out of high school and served until 2006. He was assigned to two ships: the USS Paul F. Foster and the USS Abraham Lincoln based in Everett, Washington. His final deployment with the Lincoln was in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
He received an A.A.S. in General Studies from BRCC in May and is pursuing a nursing degree because he enjoys helping people. Furman credits his naval training as a recruit instructor and search and rescue swimmer with preparing him well for the rigors of college academics.
“The military gave me focus,” Furman notes. “I was bright enough to realize that I didn’t have that kind of focus right after high school. In my classes here, there is always something I learned in the Navy that I can relate to or compare to what we’re learning.”
As a younger veteran, Furman wishes more people realized that being part of the military is not just killing and destruction. “You fight if you have to, but you have to be more willing to help people than hurt them,” he says. “Community relations is an important part of the military. Winning the hearts and minds of people and helping them is important.”
Approximately 6 percent of BRCC employees have served in the Armed Forces and more than 250 of our students are veterans.
BRCC plans to honor all veterans with a special recognition ceremony and reception on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Plecker Center Auditorium.
