LOCAL HERO

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

RUSS STABLER PICTURED FAR RIGHT.

Stabler prefers not to be called a hero. For him, that is a designation reserved for the 58,000+ names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.

of Stabler and would listen to Stabler's commands to lay down and stay put. "I would feed him white rats and he would curl up right next to me. He scared more than one supervisor when they came up the wrong way. Nobody would mess with me," said Stabler.

Back in the states, Stabler was a Security Response Force Leader responsible for securing the ammunition and weapons storage area at Langley Air Force Base. Due to his experience in Vietnam and Thailand, he was certified as Air Base Ground Defense. He quickly became a flight trainer, teaching individuals to pass their Quality Control exams. In the time that Stabler took over the training, the pass rate increased from 25% to 98%. Missile Squadron before moving into the role of Fire Team Flight Chief. Stabler became a Master Security Police Officer and eventually achieved his 9 level or superintendent skill level designation.

Among the many medals and recognition Stabler received from serving, the most impressive is the Air Force Commendation Medal. Still, Stabler prefers not to be called a hero. For him, that is a designation reserved for the 58,000+ names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.

AFTER THE VIETNAM WAR

Stabler met his wife, Nancy, in 1976 and married the following year, 1977. After living in Grand Forks, ND for several years, in 2009, the couple found themselves settled in Hunter, ND. Sadly, Stabler's wife passed away in 2015.

His marriage "A lot of our friends were saying our marriage wouldn't last a year. Well, they were right. It didn't last a year. It lasted 37 ½ years. I told her I wanted her for another 150."

"A lot of our friends were saying our marriage wouldn't last a year. Well, they were right. It didn't last a year. It lasted 37 ½ years. I told her I wanted her for another 150," said Stabler.

Upon retiring from the military in October 1987, Stabler earned a degree in teaching through which he taught middle school in western ND for two years. At the prompting of others around him to further his education and demonstrate progress in his career, Stabler went back to school for his Master's degree in Modern European History with a minor in Asian History.

Stabler is also an ordained minister. After earning his two degrees, Stabler "needed something else to study" and was naturally drawn to the field.

"I relearned my faith and my faith in God. Over in Vietnam, you get to thinking because you're doing things that you're taught by the Bible are wrong. But you're taught in the military to do them. And you do them without thinking. You ask yourself why God has abandoned you. He's supposed to help me with these things and the help is not there. But, I have learned that He's always been there. I just wasn't asking the right questions," said Stabler.

"I relearned my faith and my faith in God." "Over in Vietnam, you get to thinking because you're doing things that you're taught by the Bible are wrong. But you're taught in the military to do them. And you do them without thinking."

LEARNING TO BE A HUMAN BEING AGAIN

Returning to the United States after serving in Vietnam was challenging for Stabler. He sought to numb the negative memories and emotions that consumed him by drinking. individual. I had no faith in humanity whatsoever. I wanted nothing to do with people; the less I had to interact the better off I was. Sure, while I was drinking I'd forget. But, then I'd wake up the next morning and the problem was still there," said Stabler.

Through classes offered at the VA including anger management and behavior management, Stabler realized what happened is never going to go away. However, he made the choice to learn how to deal with it.

"Thank God I have my fellow veterans because I got folks I can talk to. We've seen things we didn't want to see and done things we didn't want to do, but we are learning to live with it. We're learning to be human beings again. This means not being a vengeful, angry

"Thank God I have my fellow veterans because I got folks I can talk to." "We've seen things we didn't want to see and done things we didn't want to do, but we are learning to live with it. We're learning to be human beings again."

person at everybody and everything. We've learned not to dislike somebody because of the way they think," said Stabler.

It's an ongoing process, one that Stabler works through daily. "I've got a dark side that I keep pushed to the back and I never want to let that individual out again. My joking around is hiding a multitude of sins. It's keeping that guy in the back of my head in check," said Stabler.

TAKING CARE OF ONE ANOTHER

For Stabler, the biggest takeaway from serving in the military is his sense of responsibility and commitment.

"It doesn't matter what kind of day it is; it's a wonderful day because you're still alive."

"If you're going to commit to doing something, you need to do it 100%. Be there when you're supposed to be there. Do what you're supposed to do," said Stabler.

Today, Stabler remains committed to taking care of his brother and sister veterans and their families. He currently volunteers at the Fargo Veteran Affairs Information desk on Mondays and Thursdays. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Stabler is at the Fargo National Cemetery fulfilling his duties as Chaplain and Squad Leader for the Memorial Honor Guard.

Furthermore, he serves as Region 5 Director for the Air Force Security Forces Association, secretary for the Vietnam Veterans State Council, a member of the North Dakota Veterans Legislative Council, a member of the Compassionate Contact Corps, and a member of the North Dakota Veterans Home Foundation Board, Inc.

Stabler represents the Vietnam Veterans of America on the ND Veterans Home Foundation Board. The ND Veterans Home Foundation was created in 1987 to build a permanent endowment for the North Dakota Veterans Home to enhance the quality of life of veterans. The Home is located in Lisbon, ND. The Board supports special programs and purchases equipment including aromatherapy, medical equipment, touch screen TVs, and a baby grand piano. Ideas in the pipeline include a memorial garden and a separate building for hosting BBQs and entertainment.

THE GOOD LIFE

Stabler places great importance on listening to and seeking to understand one another, even if points of view differ greatly. He also maintains that keeping a positive perspective is crucial.

"Every day that we get up, that day is our gift from God. What we do with that day is our gift to God. You go to bed at night and you thank God for helping you through the day. You get up in the morning and you thank Him for letting you get up and for letting you live your life. It doesn't matter what kind of day it is; it's a wonderful day because you're still alive," said Stabler.

For him, this is all part of how he embodies the good life. "The good life to me is showing how people should be and the good that people do in this world and in this community...to take care of one another," said Stabler.

•