Veteran Salute: Playing an integral part in supporting the mission

TOPEKA (KSNT) - In his 13 years of service, Sgt. Frank Fulton served all over the world with the Army. He'd see deployments across Germany, Iraq and even a peacekeeping mission in Bosnia.

With an uncle who served in the Korean War, Fulton saw service through the Army as a way to travel and change his outlook on life.

“It was a decision made after I lost a few relatives in California, and I just couldn’t focus in college," Fulton said. "I thought the military would be a good way to get out of the situation and kind of environment I was in.”

It wouldn't take long before the California native would take off for deliveries across the ocean.

“I was a driver, I was a truck master," Fulton said. "So we basically drove loads over Europe and delivered things, and maintained our vehicles in a motor pool environment. We drove all over Germany which was amazing, and then Bosnia started. So we ended up in Bosnia for over a year.”

That year long stay originally started as a three month peacekeeping mission.

“In Bosnia, we were a very integral part of supporting the mission in fueling and bringing supplies to individuals," Fulton said. "There was also working with the locals. It really opened my eyes to the world and understanding how bigger the world is and the environment, the things people face and seeing kind of a war torn environment and having to deal with that situation."

Though it was a longer stay in the country than expected, completing that mission brought quite a sense of pride to Fulton and his comrades.

“I felt like we accomplished a lot," he said. "We had felt everybody was coming home. We were very grateful for that."

Across Germany, Bosnia, Hawaii, Fort Riley and beyond the adventure and comradery Fulton found within the service kept him in the military for over a decade.

“I raised my hand a few times and re-enlisted because I wanted to continue to re-experience that and see where life took me," Fulton said.

He would continue serving his community even after his time in the Army came to an end. Earning 3 degree, including a masters in social work from Washburn University, Fulton uses his skills to help those in the local community as a member of the Valeo Mental Health team.