By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
Gail Farley carried on a family tradition when she enlisted in the United States Army.
Her father served in the Army and was involved in the American Legion in the family’s hometown of Neponset.
“In addition to my father, the military was a family tradition,” Farley said. “I had several uncles and cousins that serve in the Military and I enlisted in the Army to be able to qualify for the GI Bill to help pay for schooling and to gain maturity for myself. At that point in my life, I did not know what I wanted out of life nor did I know what I wanted to study in school.”
Farley grew up in Neponset where she graduated from high school in 1994. After serving in the Army, Farley studied nursing at Black Hawk College, and said she chose that career path, “because I knew I wanted a job where I could care for people and have skills that would allow work flexibility while I was raising children.”
“My Mom was a nurse and when I was growing up, she would write notes to me in nursing short hand,” she added.
Farley completed basic training in Ft. Jackson, SC, and Advanced Training (AIT) at Fort Lee, VA. Her military occupational specialty was a cook and she added, “Although being a cook does not sound like one of the awesome jobs the Army offers, there is a saying most in the military know to be true, and that is ‘there are two things that you never mess with a soldier if you want to keep them happy; their pay and their food’.”
In Observance of Veterans Day, Geneseo Current is Featuring Army Veteran - E-4 Specialist Gail Farley of Geneseo. Photo by Claudia Loucks
In January of 1995, Farley was sent to Alaska for her first duty station and she shared that five graduates from her AIT were sent to Fairbanks, AK, where they received their permanent orders for their duty stations.
“Between the five of us, two went to Ft. Richardson in Anchorage, two stayed at Ft. Wainwright in Fairbanks, and I went to Ft. Greely in Tok Junction, AK,” she said. “It was the smallest base the military had, which was fine with me, since my hometown of Neponset had a population of only 500.”
She cooked in the dining hall for the soldiers stationed there and those that came for training…”On average, about 50 soldiers per meal, but sometimes it would be up to 100 soldiers with the trainees. Outside of my regular duties, I also worked at the Officers Club where I performed typical restaurant-style cooking.”
She was stationed at Ft. Greeley for one year as that installation because that installation was considered a “hardship tour,” she said. “It was a cold place to be, interior Alaska, up in the mountains, but the Northern Lights were beautiful.”
From Ft. Greely, Farley was sent to Fort Hood in Killeen, TX, which is one of the largest bases in the Army….”So, going from Alaska to Texas, not only did I go from the smallest post to one of the largest, I went from the coldest base to one of the hottest. It was a big change!”
At Fort Hood, Farley cooked in a dining hall that served about 500 soldiers per meal and she said she enjoyed the larger dining hall…”One of my assignments was spending time as a night baker. That skill has lived with me as I still enjoy baking to this day.”
Although she enjoyed the baking, she admits that she did not really enjoy being in Texas, “and I still dislike ants, due to some run-ins with fire ants. For those who do not know what fire ants are, they are red, they swarm, and they have ferocious bites which will leave scars.”
Even though she enjoyed the cooking, Farley said she did not enjoy the hours…”Being a cook meant that I had to keep odd work hours. When other soldiers were out doing physical training, I was in the kitchen making breakfast. Cooks were expected to do PT on their own time and on days off. Even though my experience was that cooks were not expected to get top marks in PT – passing was good enough. I did the best I could to stay in shape, but I did not enjoy running.”
Farley’s initial active duty enlistment was for two years, plus training, and she completed that that assignment, and received an Honorable Discharge, and returned to Neponset.
After returning to Illinois, she enrolled in college classes and joined the National Guard in Kewanee, where she continued her service and sills as a cook. She remained in the Guard for an additional eight years.
Her military career also introduced Farley to her husband, George. They met in 2001 when her unit attended a training exercise at Fort Bliss, TX….”They were using contractors for meals and since us cooks were not needed, we were sent to Camp Atterbury, IN, to support a training school. George was one of the instructors for the school and we met in the chow line –I was serving and George was eating.”
The couple married and lived in Columbus, IN, not far from where they met,” Farley added. “When we became pregnant with our daughter, Eliza, I requested discharge from the National Guard. This was shortly after 9/11 and we did not want the chance of us both being deployed leaving our daughter to family.”
Eliza is now a junior at the University of Illinois – Chicago (UIC). When the couple was stationed in Alaska as part of George Farley’s career, their son, Perry, was born at the Army Hospital in Fairbanks. He is now a junior at Geneseo High School.
Gail Farley continues to be involved in the Military as a member of the Neponset American Legion. She also continues with her work as a nurse, at Unity Point.
When asked if she would encourage other young women to consider joining the Military, she said, “Although I know the Military lifestyle is not for everyone, I would encourage anyone interested to consider the Military. It is one of the only opportunities in a short life where one can see new and exotic places, meet a diverse group of people, do new and exciting things that many never know exist. Some of the greatest people I have ever met, I met while in the Army. The Military is a great way to grow up and learn more about yourself, before you spend money on a degree you may not use, or start a career you do not like.”
“The Military taught me to be part of a group and to do what is best for the group. Whether it is volunteering for my kids’ activities or work, if someone needs help or a task needs to be done, then do it.”
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR GAIL FARLEY
My interview with Gail Farley included asking her to comment on Geneseo’s Aisle of Flags display in City Park, and she said:
“It is very impressive and lots of work for the volunteers that take care of it. It makes me feel proud to have served knowing that this community cares enough to support its veterans in such a manner.”
During the time of your service, did the meaning of the American Flag and Freedom become more important to you?
“I don’t think serving made my feelings about the American Flag and Freedom change, as I grew up with a strong sense of patriotism. I think my patriotism is one of the reasons I joined the Army. I grew up in a family where my Dad, one of my brothers, uncles, great uncles and several male cousins served in various branches of the Military. Additionally, I had an aunt that was a nurse in France during WW II. I always thought that was very cool. Finally, I had an uncle that was shot down over France during WW II. A local family hid him and helped get him back to safety. My family never missed a Memorial Day celebration or service and my Mother has always had a flag displayed. My husband and I are keeping that tradition alive at our home.”