He sought to defend his homeland, self-improve and follow in his brother’s footsteps.

Those motives led Ron Humanick, of Slatington, to serve in the U.S. Army for the past 20 years.

Humanick, who has been commander of the Allen O. Delke Post 16 of Slatington for the past five years, explained why he decided to join.

“The reason I joined the Army was a combination of thoughts and feelings; one was the pride to serve my country and the excitement that was ahead,” Humanick said. “The second was to better myself. The third and deciding factor to join the Army and not another branch was my brother Brandon, who joined the Army five months prior.”

Humanick said he was initially assigned to 109 FA in Wilkes-Barre in 2006. His first deployment was to Afghanistan, from 2008to 2009, and his second deployment was to Kuwait from 2012 to 2013.

He described what it was like to leave home.

“It was a mixture of emotions: excitement, uncertainty and heartache,” he said. “Missing home and your normal life with family and friends, trying to describe what you’re experiencing and hearing stories from back home is a different kind of feeling. However, the new friendships that were built and the bond I share with the ones I served with, is unparalleled.”

Humanick comes from a military family, as both of his grandfathers (Eddie Humanick, Navy, WWII) and Donald Davis (Army Air Corps, WWII) served, as did his great uncle, Carl Greenwood (Army, WWII.)

As an E7-Sergeant First Class, Humanick was a 13F Forward Observer/Joint Fires Observer, acquiring targets and targeting data to request and adjust surface to surface and air to surface fires.

“It was challenging; myself and my family sacrificed a lot. Serving overseas or at training for weeks or months at a time was a strain,” he said. “However, I feel it was a very rewarding experience that I will forever cherish.”

He said his proudest accomplishment in serving our country was “maintaining a level of performance that met or exceeded the expectations of my leaders, my fellow soldiers, and my own.”

Humanick, who will retire on July 31, has been serving in the Army National Guard.

“Throughout my career, I had the privilege of serving with many distinguished veterans,” he said. “The longer you stay in, you watch those you serve alongside of retire and know the impact they all have left. That was something that I wanted and dreamed of.

“Now that it’s my time to retire, you start to reflect and looking back, it’s hard to believe that 20 years have gone by. I am proud of what I accomplished wearing the uniform.”

Humanick said he wanted to extend his “deepest appreciation” to his family and friends for all of their continued support.

“They helped out tremendously while my brother and I were both deployed at the same time,” he said. “Most importantly, my wife, Cortney, who gave birth to our beautiful daughters Maddie and Mia while I was overseas; behind every soldier is a family who is also serving, and I thank them for their sacrifices.”

When asked if he would serve our country all over again, Humanick said he “absolutely” would.

“Joining the Army was probably the best decision I made,” he said. “The experience, knowledge, relationships and connections that I obtained is something that cannot be replaced and have no regrets.”

Humanick offered some words of wisdom to those contemplating joining our military.

“I would encourage those who want to better themselves and be a part of something that only 1% get to experience,” he said. “Give it a go; if it’s not for you there is no shame, and you will forever earn the title of veteran.”