"It never leaves", a Fairview Veteran talks about the profound impact of military service

23 years, 6 months and 12 days. 

Gary McElhiney knows the years of his service in the United States Marine Corps down to the day because of the profound impact this time had on his life. 

“It never leaves.  Everything I was taught from day one I still believe in today and that part never changes.  Without the Marine Corps, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

McElhiney is one of many Veterans in Fairview to be honored on Veterans Day this year, but he insisted he does not need special treatment.  

“I was happy to serve and am proud of what I accomplished, but it gave so much to me too.  I learned loyalty.  I learned integrity. I learned teamwork.  As I went up through the ranks, I learned how to manage people,” said McElhiney.

“The Marines taught me how to think, how to lead and that there is nothing on this planet that I cannot accomplish.”

Several generations of McElhineys’ have been in the Armed Services. 

“Every morning when I get up, I see my father’s boot camp pictures, my boot camp pictures, my daughters’ boot camp pictures, my son’s boot camp pictures, and my grandson’s boot camp pictures and the wall continues to grow,” he said. 

His wife, brother and uncle were also in the military.  His family members have been in service during World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, the Gulf War and Iraq War.

McElhiney was born in Nashville and raised in Fairview.  From a young age, he had a dream. 

“I wanted to be a Marine. That was my goal in life as long as I can remember.  When I turned 17, I asked my dad to sign for me and he signed for me,” he explained.

This was in 1972 and McElhiney described the next four years as a blur. 

“After I finished boot camp, I went to the infantry first.  We deployed and went aboard the USS Nashville.  That was my first ship.  We went to the Mediterranean and did an extended cruise there because of the Yom Kippur War with Israel and Egypt.

 “When I came back from deployment, I went straight to Japan and then to Vietnam,” he continued. “I was with the First Marine Air Wing and we ended up doing the evacuation of Vietnam from Saigon and the last battle of Vietnam which was Koh Tang Island in Cambodia.”

When the military started downsizing after Vietnam, McElhiney opted to stay in.  He met Simone, who was also a Marine at the time.  They married in 1982 and went on to have 5 children. 

“She got out to take care of the household.  She was the glue.  She kept our family together.  I was deployed a lot.  She was on her own with the kids, the bills, the problems.  I really appreciate the spouses because they never get the credit where the credit is actually due,” he shared. 

“On top of that, we moved every two and half years.  It’s easier to be the one deployed because you have a job and you are focused on that.  The spouse has everything else,” he added.  “You have to have a strong marriage.”

McElhiney rose through the ranks and retired in 1995 as a Master Gunnery Sergeant (E9) which is the highest enlisted grade in the US Marine Corps.   He brought his family back to Fairview. 

“I had my own little remodeling business.  I went back to college and got my degree at Austin Peay.  We got the family pretty stable then because I wasn’t always deployed,” he said.  “My son graduated high school here.  My daughter got married here.”

McElhiney is also an active member of the American Legion Post 248 in Fairview. 

“I’m proud to go to the American Legion and sit down with my fellow veterans.  It doesn’t matter which branch.  We all served.  We are all brothers and sisters.  There is a bond, a common respect we have for each other,” he shared.  “And if another Vet needs us, we will answer the call.”

Local Veterans Events

There will be a Veterans Day Assembly on Monday, November 11 at 9 a.m. at Fairview High School, 2595 Fairview Boulevard.  Veterans are asked to arrive at 8 a.m. The community is invited to attend and should arrive by 8:30.  Guests can enter from the parking lot located on King Road.  All guests will need to show a photo ID.

American Legion Post 248 is a charitable organization for veterans that meets on the second Monday each month at 7 p.m. at the Fairview Lions Clubhouse on Highway 96 North.  In November, due to the regular meeting time falling on Veterans Day, the meeting will be held on Thursday, Nov. 7.