“I’ve seen the world a couple of times,” said Hannah, who is now a platoon sergeant in a heavy weapons company of the Ohio National Guard. He also has served in the U.S. Army, Army Reserves, and U.S. Navy.
“I never dreamed it would be this long (with the military),” said Hannah who joined the Army in 1978.
Hannah, 52, has also served alongside his son, Michael, in Kosovo.
“A lot of people don’t get to deploy with their children,” said Hannah, who now works full-time as a law enforcement park ranger for the Greene County Park District. While in Kosovo, father and son served in the same company, but different platoons.
“His barrack was two down from mine,” Hannah said.
Hometown: Born in Jamestown.
How he became involved in the military: Hannah joined the Army in 1978 and served in the Army until 1981 when he joined the Navy and served in the Navy until 1985. After a few years of not being in the military, Hannah joined the National Guard. He also spent some time with the Army Reserves.
His job with the Ohio National Guard: SFC/platoon sergeant in a heavy weapons company.
Some places he’s been deployed: Granada invasion in 1983; Kosovo in 2004-05; New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina in 2005; Iraq in 2008.
The most satisfying part of his work with the military: “I think helping in the development of future leaders,” Hannah said. “I’ve trained a lot of officers over the years.” He noted that he likes to see men who he has worked with become strong leaders.
“I’ve met so many people over the years,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed that.”
A memorable moment of service: “I think the most memorable would have to be deploying to Kosovo in the same unit as my son (Michael),” Hannah noted. “Being able to share that experience with him was a special time.”
His family: Hannah has a son, Michael; a daughter, Jill; and two grandchildren.
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