To retire from National Guard

By SHARON KIESEL

“What I liked best was being around other soldiers, helping them and making sure they were well fed,” said Sgt. Bobby Comer of the Missouri National Guard. “Being better fed helps them through their day. Good food is a good morale booster.”

Bobby Comer has served 22 years in the National Guard and this year, on November 13, he will officially retire from the service. He joined in 1987, thanks to Adrian shop teacher Mr. Gilmore for all his help and encouragement. Bobby then spent the next 19 years with Company A, 735th Armory in Nevada, Missouri. The past three years he has served with the 35th STB in St. Joseph, Missouri.

He is proud of the fact that in his 22 years in the Guard, he has not missed a single drill. Bobby worked long shifts about every other day when his day began at 3:00a.m. and ended at 10p.m. “The biggest change now, is not worrying about going to Guard,” Bobby said. “It will be strange after 22 years.”

He said he will be working at Sioux Chief, in Peculiar, and even though Bobby is retired from the Service, he will still be active, as a National Guard recruiter.

“I really thank God and my family for their help and support,” he said. “Also my first and second mess sergeants, Sgt. First Class Jim Seagraves and Sgt. Jim Entrikin. They have been my commanders and good friends for 22 years. I also thank Matt Cunningham and Aden Lovelace, both from Adrian, who are army chaplains.”

Anyone who might be interested in becoming a member of the Missouri National Guards can contact Bobby at 816-297-2510 or email him at bobc@sbcglobal.net for more information.