Rockwall, TX (November 10, 2023) – Veteran service often carries over into the public and private sector after uniforms are carefully pressed and put away.
This strong call to serve can be innate but also developed during military service. That in mind, the Rockwall Rotary featured three local veterans, also Mayors, at this week’s meeting.
The participating veterans, Rockwall mayor, Trace Johannesen (Marine Corps), Fate mayor, David Billings (Navy) and McLendon-Chisholm mayor, Keith Short (Marine Corps) spoke with humility and candor about their individual military service experience.
Panel questions, led by fellow veteran and Rotary member, Mark Kipphut, revealed interesting details of that service and how those shape who they are today.
What specific experience shaped you and your leadership style?
Without exception, each applauded the leadership they experienced and the skills they learned during their service.
Recognized as receiving the fastest promotion to Naval Petty Officer First Class at that time, David Billings served on a nuclear submarine. There he learned the decisions you make should always determine the best results possible. With a smaller crew on submarine, leadership and responsibility came quickly and, in one trial they failed a certification inspection. In accepting responsibility, the captain decisively resigned on the spot. While ultimately not allowed to resign, his action was a strong message that Mayor Billings remembers to this day.
Both Keith Short, with 8 years of service in the Marines, and Trace Johannesen, a 4th generation Marine, agreed that caring for those you lead and serve with is critical.
Mayor Johannesen, who enlisted following the events of 9 11, found many excellent leaders in the military. One sergeant’s influence taught him that if you take good care of your people, they will take care of you. As a leader, he has witnessed this to be true, seeing positive response even during difficult assignments, responsibilities, and tasks.
While in Okinawa, Mayor Short’s platoon worked with ground sensors much like what is used in today’s border control. His captain, who introduced him to Fellowship of Christian Athletes, taught him to lead from the front always providing the best resources those under you need. Mayor Short still uses that lesson in his roles today, including as a full-time police officer helping those he leads promote up through the ranks.
What is something you miss about the military?
Working together towards a common goal, serving with purpose unites people. Not surprisingly all agreed that the relationships and friendships of those they served with are missed. Those bonds grow strong especially through hard work and are shared serving in their current capacities.
How could our cities and county do a better job working together?
Recognizing that each city has its priorities, each Mayor also expressed the need to work together as they do in the military focusing on long-range planning with a united focus on serving county constituents.
What moment in your service did you realize “I’m not in Kansas anymore”?
While weather was mentioned as one defining moment, it was acknowledged the lessons they had to learn quickly were the most enlightening.
Mayor Short said as a 17-year-old getting off the plane in Okinawa, the humidity was so intense and something he had never experienced. He was sweating so profusely that thinking he was sick spoke to the doctor, who told him to “suck it up”.
Mayor Johannesen said following Okinawa going to Iraq was a completely different heat, with temperatures of 130 and no humidity, wet clothing would dry immediately and was covered in salt.
Sneaking out one rainy, foggy night in South Carolina, Mayor Billings was part of a group whose job was to go undetected sharing that at that point everything became very real for him.
As mayors, what is the greatest challenge your city faces in the next 5 years?
McLendon-Chisholm is experiencing challenges of infrastructure and the need to grow new leaders, said Mayor Short. Adding, the need for new leaders to step up and work in cooperation for the needs of their growing city.
While space constraints on city services are currently receiving great attention, Mayor Johannesen added that airport funding and responsible growth are other factors being taken into consideration and due research.
Mayor Billings expressed concern that legislators in Austin have made some decisions which may move decision making away from the local level. He encouraged participants to look at those decisions and be aware of the potential impact. Similarly, as is being experienced throughout the county, he spoke to managing growth in Fate with common sense.
The call to serve for these men and many service members like them, may be for any number of reasons but perhaps most likely because they find that call cannot be ignored. In the military they hone valuable leadership skills which, when put into action, improve the communities in which they – and their families – live, work and serve. For that service, both military and civic, we are very grateful.
BRN Staff Report
Rockwall Rotary features panel discussion with local veterans, mayors of Rockwall, McLendon-Chisholm and Fate added by Melanie M on
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