The guest speaker at this year's Jim Thorpe Memorial Day events has been announced by the Carbon County Veterans Affairs office.

Robert Alvin Strohl Jr., a former Jim Thorpe native currently residing in Waterford, Conn., will address residents on Monday, May 31.Strohl was born on May 22, 1960 to Robert and Barbara Strohl. He resided in Jim Thorpe until joining the military in June 1980.During his five years active duty in the U.S. Navy Submarine Force, Second Class Petty Officer (E-5) Strohl served on the

U.S.S. Independence CV-62 and

U.S.S. Dace SSN/607. He received Dolphins (Submarine qualified); the Good Conduct Medal and Ribbon; Navy Expeditionary Medal and Ribbon; two Battle "E" Ribbons; two Sea Service Ribbons; a letter of recommendation from the captain of the

U.S.S. Dace; and was meritoriously advanced from third class petty officer to second class petty officer by his submarine captain.Following his time in the Navy, he served in the Connecticut Army National Guard until 1987. During that time, he was a E-5 sergeant and served as a combat engineer.In May 1987, Strohl was hired as a police officer first class for the Town of Waterford and is now serving his 24th year on the job. He works as a court/evidence officer/firearms range master and a direct liaison to the state's attorney/judges for the department.His police activities over the years include past Marine coxswain; taught seven years at Waterford High School; held a position on the seat belt enforcement team, Use of Force Committee, and the Warrant/Fugitive Task Force; was named an Officer of the Year by the New London Lodge of Elks in 2003; was a field training officer; involved with radio system administration; was a liaison to the Connecticut Judicial Department for PRAWN (re-arrest warrant) system and the Connecticut State Police Firearms Unit and worked with the state to incorporate the NIBRS program from the UCR program (crime statistics).In September 2001, Strohl married Jodie (Fratus) Strohl. He has a son, Jonathan, 25, of Pennsylvania; and a stepdaughter, Stephanie Strozeski, 25, of Waterford. They also have a granddaughter, Kaitlyn Marie Strohl.In addition to work obligations, Strohl is an active member of the community.He is a member of the International Association for Property Evidence Managers; Police Association of Connecticut; Blue Knights Motorcycle Club (Law Enforcement Riders); Dolon/Jones/Martino American Legion Post 304 of Jim Thorpe; Waterford VFW Post 6573, where he was senior vice commander from 2003 to 2007 and commander from 2007 to 2009.