Air Force Capt. Brandon Stanley, left, is sworn in to his new rank by his grandfather, Ken Stanley, on a recent trip to the mountains. Because the elder Stanley is a retired Army lieutenant colonel, it’s legal for him to swear in his grandson and other members of his family when they advance through the military ranks. Brandon Stanley and other family members say Ken Stanley was a huge influence on their lives and decision to enter military service.

Stanley says grandfather steered service

‘He said our sacrifices were for something greater than ourselves’

By Jennifer Shrader

Staff writer

Newly minted Air Force captain and LaGrange native Brandon Stanley admits he didn’t have to go far to be encouraged into military service.

After all, his grandfather, Ken Stanley, was just down the road.

“We moved in with my grandparents when my dad was called up for Desert Storm,” Brandon Stanley said. “It was there that my grandfather imparted his wisdom and living example of ideals like service and the necessity of defending freedom. Throughout elementary school, I sat at ‘Papooh’s’ feet as he told stories of helicopter battles, death-defying sorties and friends he’d lost. He’d ‘knuckled through the ranks’ with hard work and discipline, earning a degree and then a commission.”

Brandon Stanley’s father, Wayne, was an Air Force major in Desert Storm, who may best be remembered when a parade was held in his honor upon his return to Troup County after his service. While Wayne Stanley was away at Desert Storm, wife Kim oversaw construction of their house and arranged for a parade, complete with community leaders and LaGrange’s “parade lady,” Annette Boyd, on hand when he saw it the first time.

“While my father was deployed in Desert Storm, (my grandfather) reminded us that our sacrifices - missing our dad at baseball games, birthdays, holidays - were for something greater than ourselves - our country,” Brandon Stanley said. “I will never forget his sense of pride and my sense of pride when my dad finally returned home to yellow ribbons and people waving signs, support from the community welcoming my dad, the hero, back home.”

Four of Ken and Kitty Stanley’s five children have served or are serving in the military. Brandon Stanley is one of three Stanley grandchildren to serve.

Ken Stanley, now 82 and a retired Army lieutenant colonel, can legally swear in his children and grandchildren when they advance in rank, and did so for Brandon during the Fourth of July holiday. Brandon Stanley is a dentist in the Air Force and soon will become an oral surgeon. His sister, Amber, also in the Air Force, will enter the Medical College of Georgia.

“After growing up with the stories and experience of both my father and grandfather, it was natural for both myself and my sister, Amber, to follow in their footsteps and commission into the military,” Brandon Stanley said. “In our own small way, we hope to carry on our family tradition of military service to our country.”

Jennifer Shrader may be reached at jshrader @lagrangenews.com or at (706) 884-7311, Ext. 236.