LOCAL HERO | RUSS STABLER
LOCAL HERO: RUSS STABLER
Being human and taking care of one another WRITTEN BY: ALEXIS SWENSON PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
Russ Stabler, 72 year old Vietnam veteran, has lived more life than most. In October 1967, Stabler enlisted in the military 23 days shy of his 18th birthday. The transition was made easier because he'd already learned discipline and respect from having a good upbringing. "I did not like the idea of being drafted. I enlisted in the Air Force because my dad was in the Air Corps and my uncle was Air Force, so I figured that was the logical step: become Air Force," said Stabler. He originally applied to be an Air Traffic Controller. "The Air Force in their infinite wisdom said, 'You're going to control traffic son, but it ain't going to be in the air,'" said Stabler. As a cop on the ground, Stabler pivoted, making the decision to apply for K-9 school to become a Sentry Dog Handler. "My dog, Prince, didn't like anyone, including himself. I think he got up in the morning and bit himself just to prove how mean he was. I called him Devil. He bit me three times and I was his best friend; the one who fed him," said Stabler. Unfortunately, Prince was put down two and a half years later and Stabler then became a Security Police Officer. In his 20 years in service, Stabler served in Germany; Wyo.; Vietnam; Thailand; Hampton, Va.; and Grand Forks, ND. He held various roles including Airman and Missile Police Officer on a Security Response Team. In his two tours in Vietnam, Stabler served with the Marines for a year and then the Army for a year. As he was previously trained in explosives he assisted his team (first the Marines, then the Army) in blowing up enemy items including weapons and food. During his second tour in Vietnam, Stabler was shot in the leg and sent to a hospital in Thailand to recover. After recovering, Stabler was stationed on a base in Thailand issuing bedding and overseeing Change of Quarter duties. Stabler has always been fond of animals and even living in Vietnam couldn't change that. His 11 ½ foot "pet" cobra named Charlie was especially fond 30 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
