John joined the Navy in 1973 right out of high school and retired in 1994. He served on various aircraft carriers, and been in almost every ocean on the planet. During his final four years he served as a Navy Instructor, teaching what he had learned to the new sailors and Marines: to carry on the traditions and values that make this country the greatest nation on earth.

My uncle Bob Jarvis served in The U.S. Navy during World War II. He and his twin brother Dick enlisted in the Navy in 1942. They both went to boot camp and then trained as anti-aircraft gunners. At that point they were assigned different ships.

Henry A. Jarvis was my Grandfather on my mom's side. In 1917, he enlisted in the Army upon America's entry into World War I. He saw action in five different battles and was wounded twice. He was awarded the Purple Heart.

The following Hometown Hero was submitted by Patti Jones:

This is my Dad, he served in the Navy. He passed away in April. My life is not the same with out him, I don't want to live with out my Dad. He was a kind man, who loved to hug all the women, and he made earrings for little girls. He would look to see if they had earrings on and if they did, he would call them Sam or George! Then he'd ask their mom if it was ok to give them the earrings. It made his day to see the smiles on the little faces!