Celebrating the Sons of the American Revolution
- Mark Dean -

Q: What is your background in the military and highlights from your military career?

A: All in all I spent twenty years and seven months in the military, fifteen of which were on Active Duty and the remainder on Active Guard Reserve for the State of Ohio. I began my career in the Army as an enlisted soldier serving with the 3/75th Ranger Regiment at Ft. Benning, GA. This was truly an amazing experience with the most elite soldiers in the world. My experiences ranged from nighttime tactical parachute jumps, to Ranger School, and being ready to deploy at the drop of the hat. It was everything I dreamed it would be. I then attended OCS (Officer Candidate School), which led me to a commissioned career in Military Intelligence, where I was stationed in Germany when the Berlin Wall came down. I was also with the Army Aviation having the opportunity to serve in the 101st Airborne/Air Assault Division and eventually the 204th MI Battalion Aerial Recon assisting with Counter Narcotics operations. I completed my career with Ohio University Army ROTC, where I had the honor to coach, mentor, and lead some of the finest young officers in our Nation.

Q: With all of your service, what do you recall most and why is your service so meaningful to you?

A: My most treasured part of my military career was the feeling I was part of something bigger than myself involving the defense of our country, as well as the comradery of those with whom I served.

The military has been a way of life on both sides of my family. My relatives fought in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Vietnam and Afghanistan. During family gatherings it is always “Game On,” with Army vs. Air Force, Naval Aviators vs. Air Force Pilots, and so on.

I can vividly remember watching my Father, who flew F-86s and F-100s for the USAF, and my Uncle, who flew Wildcats off the USS Bunker Hill in the Pacific theater during WWII, telling stories about dog fights. On May 11th, 1945, during the invasion of Okinawa, while my Uncle Tom was in the midst of aerial combat, two Kamikaze aircraft flew into the USS Bunker Hill bridge killing over 300 of his shipmates. They diverted him to another vessel for rearming and refueling.

My Grandfather was also one of the head Chaplin's for a U.S. based German POW Camp. I actually still have some of his diary notes from his tour. Their experiences had a tremendous impact on me as a young boy and still do today. So, the military wasn't an “If” for me, it was a “When”.

Q: Who is your Revolutionary War ancestor and what do you know about him?

A: With my Mother's side of the family arriving in Connecticut in the mid 1600's, many family members served in the Revolutionary War. The two ancestors that are recorded through the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) were Nathaniel Tuttle, who served as a Captain in Colonel Webb's Regiment at Ticonderoga, and then as a Private in COL Sullivan's Regiment. My SAR membership is based on Private Judah Roberts, who served under Captain Gillet in Colone Enos' Regiment.

Q: What does it mean to be a part of SAR?

A: It is very humbling to know that your ancestors were present during the birth of our Nation. They believed enough in an idea, a way of life, and a dream, so much so, they took up arms.

Q: How did you transition to your career at Rocky in the military division?

A: When I was close to my military retirement, I visited the Rocky® Boots headquarters in Nelsonville, Ohio, which is about 25 minutes from my home. I asked to meet with Mike Brooks, the CEO at that time, and spoke with him about my experience and interest in Rocky. At that time, Rocky didn't have a pure Military Division, but in approximately a year (September 2009), they decided to create a Military Division and I got the call to assist with government bids and military opportunities. It's been a fantastic 15 years at Rocky Brands being able to Serve those who are Serving us.