Scott Shirk

Interview of Scott Shirk for the Elizabeth V. and George F. Gardner Digital Library. Shirk discusses his time in the United States Army.

Transcript:

Scott Shirk Army Interview

Weston Rudge: [00:00:00] My name is Weston Rudge, and I am working on Brady Kondek's Eagle Project. What is your name?

Scott Shirk: [00:00:06] Scott Shirk.

Weston Rudge: [00:00:09] What is or was your role in the military, such as rank/responsibility?

Scott Shirk: [00:00:16] I was NCO, a sergeant in the army. I was a combat engineer, which is what they call 12 Bravo. Is that what you're looking for?

Weston Rudge: [00:00:28] Yep.

Scott Shirk: [00:00:30] Okay.

Weston Rudge: [00:00:31] When and why did you join the military?

Scott Shirk: [00:00:34] I joined the military, I went into basic training two weeks after I graduated high school. I don't know exactly why I joined, that was in 1991, by the way, but I don't know exactly why I joined. I just knew that I wanted to serve. I wanted to serve the country. And it was a way for me to be able to travel and and earn money for college and all of those good things.

Weston Rudge: [00:01:07] How are you associated with Cumberland County?

Scott Shirk: [00:01:11] How am I associated with Cumberland County? I actually landed here by mistake, actually. When I got out of the military, I ran across Boiling Springs and liked the area, and then so I moved here.

Weston Rudge: [00:01:27] Have you served in any wars or conflicts?

Scott Shirk: [00:01:31] I have not. My first tour was in Korea, which they're still officially at war with Korea, but I was not involved with the Korean War, obviously. But no. To answer your question, no.

Weston Rudge: [00:01:46] Alright. What are some of your favorite memories?

Scott Shirk: [00:01:52] My favorite memories? I think my favorite memories were all the different places I got to go visit. For example, we got to go to Panama and go see the DIO, spend time in the jungle and then the Panama Canal. I lived in Hawaii for three years. I got to go to see all the islands and all the all the tourist attractions there. So I would say my favorite memories stemmed from just the ability to travel and go see different places.

Weston Rudge: [00:02:21] What is one piece of advice you would want to give to younger generations?

Scott Shirk: [00:02:29] To work hard and live your dreams.

Weston Rudge: [00:02:35] Is there anything else you would like to share?

Scott Shirk: [00:02:39] I don't think so. That was simple.

Weston Rudge: [00:02:43] Thank you so much for your time.