Editor’s notice: The Journal’s Unsung Heroes sequence spotlights an area veteran every Monday from Memorial Day to Veterans Day. If you need to appoint an Unsung Hero, electronic mail information@journal-news.web.

MARTINSBURG – Berkeley County Sheriff Nathan Harmon has a background in america Marine Corps, and his story is that of willpower and carrying the camaraderie ahead.

Harmon grew up in Morgantown however moved to the Japanese Panhandle when he grew to become a West Virginia State Trooper in 2000. He has been in Berkeley County ever since.

“At one level, I used to be struggling as a result of my dad and mom couldn’t proceed to afford school. I used to be solely on a private soccer scholarship, and so I knew that was coming to an finish. I knew that I used to be the kind of one that wanted extra construction, one thing that was much more lively than a desk job,” Harmon defined.

He mentioned that what pushed him was going to the marriage of his cousin who was within the Marines. He described the swords, uniforms and construction of the marriage—saying that it was fairly ceremonial.

“My mother leaned over on the marriage ceremony and mentioned, ‘That’s in all probability too robust; you in all probability cannot do this,’” Harmon mentioned. “So I mentioned, ‘Problem accepted.’ The place my future was going, I knew I used to be going to have to select. With the selection and with the problem, I made a decision to enlist in 1994.”

Harmon mentioned he genuinely loved his time within the Marines, serving 4 years and touring fairly a bit.

“I actually didn’t go a lot into any fight zones till I used to be contracting afterwards and went to Iraq then,” Harmon mentioned. “I took loads from the Marines merely due to the management coaching that they’d and the construction that they gave me.”

He mentioned there have been a number of issues that struck him however that the only of classes grew to become essentially the most significant.

“One of many issues that stands out in my thoughts – and I nonetheless do it as we speak – is that I make my mattress each morning. As small as that sounds, the Marines taught me that once you undergo life, it’s the small accomplishments that rely,” Harmon mentioned. “You’re employed an extended day at work, and at a minimal, you come house to a made mattress. It’s these small accomplishments that make a distinction.”

He defined that the service as a Marine and the service within the sheriff’s division are, in reality, linked in distinctive methods.

“Particularly in our lives as we speak as officers, if we may help somebody on the roadside with a flat tire or one thing, we take that house with us. That could be a reward for us,” he mentioned.

He mentioned that in Okinawa, Japan, there was a form of “large brother program” that gave him a long-lasting reminiscence.

“It was a blessing to have the ability to mentor a younger lady as a part of that program that we took half in,” Harmon mentioned. “It was memorable to me to have the ability to see a smile on her face and mentor her there in that unlucky state of affairs she was in. I discovered to not take something with no consideration. You see a whole lot of disparities in different nations, a whole lot of issues that I feel, at instances, we tend to take with no consideration right here.

“I discovered don’t take with no consideration the liberties, the freedoms and the conveniences we’ve right here.”

Being concerned with navy police operations and safety forces, Harmon acquired firearms, ways and security-like coaching, stating that he knew early on that’s what he wished to do as a profession regardless in what route that took him.

“It is very important know what you need to do, venture it nicely forward in time when it comes to what you need in your profession,” he mentioned. “The navy is about up structurally that can assist you in so some ways with that. Be clear in your determination once you enroll and do a contract. With the recruiter, negotiate your life. Steer it in that route within the navy as a result of they’ve these assets. Don’t take no for a solution. It’s your life, your profession.”

Harmon defined that it is very important share your wants and expectations attributable to sacrifice in return.

“You’ll sacrifice loads. As a result of these sacrifices, I feel that you just should get every little thing potential on the market that the navy has to supply to set you up in your civilian life,” he mentioned.

When requested if there have been any shoutouts he wished to share, he had a pair, mentioning his household, buddies and the camaraderie alongside the way in which.

“Due to my household for sticking beside us whether or not or not it’s our navy careers or regulation enforcement careers; each are very sacrificing and they’re there beside us to listen to us vent on the finish of the day. An enormous due to our members of the family that do this,” he mentioned.

Harmon has 5 daughters, a son and his spouse, saying that they’ve put up with him for all of those years, and he mentioned that due to that, he’s very blessed.

“Additionally, that camaraderie, that friendship and buddies simply being there for us after we want them.” he mentioned.

Harmon added: “An enormous thanks to the entire vets which might be on the market.”

He defined that it is very important at all times keep in mind, that as a veteran, there are different veterans who must really feel that camaraderie.

“With that have, we are able to take our veteran expertise and be capable to assist veterans whether or not that may be a welfare name or some psychological hygiene name,” Harmon mentioned. “You aren’t alone. There are such a lot of assets on the market, simply ask. We’re right here to assist.”