Armed Forces Day is a special national holiday that provides us an opportunity to thank military men and women for their patriotic service to the United States of America. This day is always celebrated on the third Saturday in May. President Harry S. Truman named this a holiday during his Presidential Proclamation on February 27, 1950. Today, it remains a way to honor Americans serving in the United States military branches: the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard and newly created Space Force. Veterans Day honors those who served; Memorial Day honors those who died while serving; and Armed Forces Day honors all of the men and women who are currently serving as well as those who have served, both active and former military.

The Reynolds Company is proud of our employees and their family members who represent the branches of our military.  We celebrate these individuals and thank them for their service.

Dale Armbrister, Maintenance Manager, served in the Navy from 1972-1978.  He was a nuclear-trained Machinist Mate and a qualified submariner aboard the nuclear missile submarine USS John Adams SSBN 620.  They operated out of Charleston, South Carolina and Holy Loch, Scotland.  Dale has some great stories from his ten years in the Navy.  When you see Dale ask about his time in the Bahamas and also ask about “how to successfully swim with sharks.”

David Whitinger served in the United States Coast Guard from 1982-1989, spending time in Cape May, New Jersey and York Town, Virginia and on the Detroit River. Honorably discharged as an E5 Second Class Petty Officer, David is a member of our Sales and Marketing Team.

Mitchell Patterson served in active duty with the Marine Corps from 1979-1986. He served six additional years from 1986-1992 and was stationed out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and Camp Pendleton, California. He was an Expert Rifleman and was honorably discharge as an E5 Sargent. Mitch is a Technical Operator in our Hot Melt Packaging department.

Joshua Gibb served in the Marine Corp from 2012-2016. He is currently stationed in Greenville, South Carolina in the reserves. Joshua achieved the rank of Lance Corporal and was honorably discharged and currently works in our Hot Melt Packaging Department as a technical operator.

Arthur Coon served in the United States Coast Guard from 1980-1996 with his last port of duty in Wilmington, North Carolina. Arthur was honorably discharged as an E7 chief. Currently, he is a new member in the Hot Melt Packaging area, and is proving himself to be an important part of our company.

Lex Reynolds’s, our company CEO, son John Reynolds, served in the Marine Corp from 2008 to 2012 and served foreign duty in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. He achieved the rank of Captain and was over 42 Combat Engineers. John was Honorably Discharged in 2012 when he received a Purple Heart for his bravery in action.

Cheryl Lewis, Customer Service Manager, brother, Luther Eugene “Butch” Gray, Jr., served in the Air Force. Butch achieved rank as Master Sargent and retired after a 21-year career with many distinguished medals.

Kevin Keyes, Quality Manager, has two sons in the Navy. Christian Keyes, Kevin’s oldest son was a Master at Arms stationed at Travis Air Force Base in California. He is now attending college in California, thanks to the G. I. Bill and will earn an Associates Degree in December before continuing to get his Bachelor’s degree. Jacob Keyes, Kevin’s youngest son, is a Logistics Specialist stationed at Norfolk Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia. One of his deployments was on the USS George HW Bush (CVN 77) Aircraft Carrier.

Lisa Rolfe’s, Accounts Receivable Manager, husband Gilbert Rolfe (aka Lynn) served in the Army at Fort McClellan Alabama.  He spent time during the Grenada War Era in Honduras on foreign duty. Lynn achieved the Rank of Sergeant and is a Lifetime American Legion Member. Lisa’s father, Dexter Dunlop, who passed away in 2015, served in the Navy. He was stationed out of US Naval Air Base Little Creek, Norfolk, Virginia. He served for over 6 years stateside, at sea and on foreign duty in the Dominican Republic during the Vietnam War Era. He was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

Lisa is involved with Quilts of Valor, www.qovf.org, where she sews quilts that are awarded to military veterans in Oconee and Pickens County, South Carolina. Her family supports Wreaths Across America, that coordinates wreath laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery as well as at more than 1600 locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad each December. www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.