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This is ThinkAdvisor's ninth annual Advisors Who Serve(d) compilation, in which we highlight stories of veterans in the advisory world, told in their own words.
This year was unusual, not just because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also because we received more than 100 submissions from advisors. We suspect all of those who participated are working from home and have a little extra time, or desire, to dig into some of their memories in these unprecedented times.
Since we couldn't fit all of them in here, we used just 37, though that is double what we normally publish. We promise to roll out the rest over the Fourth of July and on Veterans Day.
So what is Advisors Who Serve(d)? Well, it's just what it says: Financial advisors who have served or are serving in the military. Each year's initial compilation has debuted over Memorial Day weekend.
ThinkAdvisor understands that Memorial Day is meant for those who have died in battle serving in the military, not just for anyone who has served (honored on Veterans Day), or for those actively serving (recognized on Armed Forces Day).
ThinkAdvisor initially chose Memorial Day, since that's when most of America focuses on the military and thus might pay extra attention to what we feel is an important compilation of stories.
This group is arranged in alphabetical order and numbered from 1-37, so you can keep track of advisors as you scroll through their stories, and maybe even recognize a few faces along the way.
1. Name: Mark E. Amberg
Title/Company: Wealth Management Advisor / First VP / Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Branch: US Air Force / DC Air National Guard
Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Airman Basic (E-1) thru Lt Colonel (O-5)
Service Dates: 1986 -2015
Work you did: Aircraft Electrician, Honor Guard, Maintenance Officer, Cyber Officer, Executive Officer, Commander
Brief story that stands out from your service time: There is no doubt that the most endearing part of being in the Air Force is serving with the caliber of people who can and will serve in the USAF. As any student of air power knows, the men and women of early military aviation were ridiculed, misunderstood and even court martialed. They are my heroes for their vision, tenacity and sacrifices.
As we approach Memorial Day, I seek to honor the legacy of the men and women who gave all for our nation. But I cannot remain silent on the battles our warriors fight silently, seemingly alone. The Veterans Administration reported that each year from 2008 to 2017, more than 6,000 veterans committed suicide. The rate for suicide among uniformed personnel is 50% higher than that of civilians. The reasons are not well understood, and infrequently discussed. I will use Memorial Day to educate and encourage those around me to become aware and act within their communities.
2. Name: Scott Armacost
Title/Company: Financial Adviser / Cetera Advisors
Branch: US Navy
Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Ensign / Lt. Commander
Service Dates: November 1982 – March 1994
Work you did: Division Officer, Department Head, Surface Warfare Officer
Brief story that stands out from your service time: On my first watch as Officer of the Deck, my ship was approaching one of the busiest chokepoints in the world in the middle of the night: the Straits of Malacca. I reported a bright light on the horizon directly in front of us and asked our radar operators to "Mark the Contact" and keep an eye on it. They quickly reported that no such contact appeared on radar and yet, I could see the light growing larger and brighter by the minute. I called out on the Bridge-to-Bridge radio for the contact dead ahead of us to identify herself and state her intentions. Nothing. I tried again.
Nothing — and nothing on radar either. Fearing the possibility of a head-on collision with one of the many 100,000-ton cargo vessels in the area, I called the captain (who was sound asleep) and requested his presence on the bridge immediately. In the time it took him to burst onto the bridge half-dressed and wide-eyed, we could both see a good portion of a new crescent moon rising above the horizon – directly in front of us… Not my finest hour.
3. Name: Kenneth R. Blackmon
Title/Company: Private Wealth Advisor / Blackmon & Associates Wealth Management
Branch: US Navy
Rank held at beginning of service and at end: I was commissioned an Ensign from The George Washington University Naval ROTC program and currently hold the rank of Rear Admiral Lower Half in the U.S. Navy Reserve, while also running my Ameriprise Financial Planning practice for the past 27 years.
Service Dates: May 1989 – Present
Work you did: I was a Surface Warfare Officer while on active duty, serving as Navigator aboard a U.S. Navy destroyer during Desert Storm. In the U.S. Navy Reserve, I have commanded five units, mobilized in support of U.S. Pacific Fleet in 2003 and in support of U.S.
Brief story that stands out from your service time: When I mobilized in 2003, I was fortunate to have my wife Debbie and 15-month old twin daughters Alyssa and Chloe join me in Pearl Harbor for six months of my nine-month mobilization. I did shift work in the Fleet Command Center, so we would have a couple days off each week. We capitalized on that time to spend together as a family. Chloe and Alyssa learned to walk in the courtyard of the military housing area.
There were a number of other Navy personnel also mobilized that became "uncles" to our daughters. One of my best friends was a Navy Seal stationed in Hawaii at the time. While his wife and children were visiting family on the mainland, he was very willing to babysit the girls for us. It was very assuring when a Navy Seal watched my daughters. They were probably never safer than at that time.
When we left Hawaii, we flew space-available on a military flight back to the East Coast. This was a nine-hour flight and quite an experience for all of us. There were no windows in the plane and the seats faced backwards in the cargo area. My daughters cried most of the trip, but because it was so loud inside the plane, no one really noticed. My wife said she felt like we were on a covert mission.
At one point in the flight, someone with a flight suit walked by and my wife caught his attention and asked him if he would discard some trash for her. It was a one-star general she asked, which mortified me. Thankfully, he was very understanding and took the trash without hesitation. My daughters have no memory of the trip, but my wife and I will never forget it.
4. Name: Louis DeCuir
Title/Company: Financial Advisor / Investor Securities Group
Branch: US Navy
Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Ensign / Captain
Service Dates: 1979 – 2009
Work you did: Surface Warfare Officer
Brief story that stands out from your service time: I met my wife three months before my last tour of duty ended. At the time, I thought I'd never see her again after I moved. We now have a daughter, age 4.
5. Name: Michael Delorey
Title/Company: OSJ / Prism Financial Group
Branch: US Navy
Rank held at beginning of service and at end: E-1, O-3
Service Dates: 1963 – 1977
Work you did: Enlisted, then Commissioned
Brief story that stands out from your service time: During my service time, I knew several friends that died in combat or in training, but the person I remember the most among those departed friends was LCDR Dick Shand. He was my fellow pilot on this mission when our helicopter crashed.
I was certain that day, when I was trapped on the outside of the helicopter, I was going to die. My thought, as I was on my back looking up, through the turning rotor blades, to a perfectly clear blue sky was; "At least I won't see it happen. When we hit, the lights will go out."
To this day, I still remember in vivid detail, how calm and logical my thought processes were during the event. There was no panic or "freezing up." As the situation unfolded and I was presented with different circumstances, I simply made what seemed to be logical choices and proceeded. In each decision, I knew that if I did nothing — I was dead.
To this day, whenever the day-to-day pressures start to overcome me, I just remember that I should have died that day, and every day is truly a "bonus" to me. At the time of the accident, no one had heard of PTSD. I buried and compartmentalize my feelings about that day. Even today, whenever I am reminded about it, I tense up with emotion. Whenever I hear Taps, I have to control my emotions because I think of those who "gave the last full measure of devotion"; but in particular, I remember – Dick Shand.
6. Name: Melissa Dennis
Title/Company: Executive Assistant / Monarch Wealth & Retirement Strategies
Branch: US Navy
Rank held at beginning of service and at end: E1 / E5
Service Dates: September 2011 – October 2016
Work you did: Personnel Specialist
Brief story that stands out from your service time: NA
7. Name: Tim Doehrmann
Title/Company: President / Eagle Ridge Wealth Advisors
Branch: US Air Force
Rank held at beginning of service and at end: E1 – E5
Service Dates: 1997 – 2005
Work you did: Crew Chief
Brief story that stands out from your service time: We were activated in 2003 and sent to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. We had some stressful times but we made the most of it!
We were mobilized and they sent us to a hotel outside of Scott Air Force base by St. Louis to wait for our C-5 Galaxy cargo jet to take us overseas.
So, there were over 100 of us from our base at this hotel for around 3 weeks. They kept telling us we were leaving tomorrow. And since we had no idea how long we would be gone or how long the war would last, let's just say those 3 weeks were pretty crazy to say the least.
The photo is of myself and my sister the day I returned. It was a good day!
8. Name: Harold Evensky
Title/Company: Founder / Evensky & Katz
Branch: US Army Medical Services Corps
Rank held at beginning of service and at end: E2 to Captain
Service Dates: July 1968 – April 1981
Work you did: Industrial Hygienist
Brief story that stands out from your service time: Having the commanding General at Fort Dix pin on my Captain's bars raising me from an E2 to Captain and then going to visit my basic training cadre. Watching their faces as I entered the barracks was the BEST!
9. Name: Harlan J. Fischer
Title/Company: President / Branch Financial Services, Inc.
Branch: US Air Force
Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Airman Basic – Staff Sergeant
Service Dates: May 1966 – March 1970
Work you did: Inventory Management Specialist
Brief story that stands out from your service time: President Nixon came to visit his daughter, Julie, at Smith College in Northampton, MA, not that far from Westover AFB. The base was on alert for over a week. Everything was painted, scrubbed, scraped and cleaned.
The whole base looked brand new and all the barracks were spotless.
Finally, Air Force One arrives with the president on it. The cabin door opened and President Nixon stepped out, waved, stepped down the stair ramp, proceeded to the awaiting limo and was promptly driven off the base. He never looked at anything.
10. Name: Gary Frisina
Title/Company: President / Atlantic Advisors
Branch: US Marine Corps
Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Private / Sgt.
Service Dates: 1968-1972
Work you did: Com/Nav ECM tech on A-6a Intruders
Brief story that stands out from your service time: My time in Vietnam was made more tolerable by visiting and helping at the China Beach Orphanage. These children were banished from their villages because they were children of Vietnamese women and US servicemen. It was a rewarding experience in a terrible war. 
11. Name: Scot Hanson
Title/Company: CFP / EFS Advisors
Branch: US Navy Aviation
Rank held at beginning of service and at end: E-3 / O-2
Service Dates: 1981-1988
Work you did: General Aviation
Brief story that stands out from your service time: My US Navy training made me the success I am today. I was taught dedication and commitment to excellence. No one works as hard to prepare, it carries with me to this day. Nothing in the civilian world compares to my US Navy experience.
12. Name: Hunter Hart
Title/Company: Equity Planning
Branch: US Marine Corps
Rank held at beginning of service and at end: PVT/ SGT
Service Dates: 2003 – 2007
Work you did: Supply/ Fiscal
Brief story that stands out from your service time: In 2004 while participating in Operation Cobra Gold, our unit was tasked with some community outreach programs. We helped out at schools in the area and were able to interact with many locals. I was only 18 at the time and had little worldly experience. It taught me a lot about how the US military is respected around the world and made proud to be a part of that. Also, it helped me understand that it was my responsibility to uphold that standard.
13. Name: Christopher Hellie
Title/Company: Financial Advisor / Morgan Stanley
Branch: US Army
Rank held at beginning of service and at end: O1 / O3
Service Dates: May 2005 – July 2009
Work you did: Armor Officer
Brief story that stands out from your service time: We had an accident with a young Iraqi girl on the side of the road. We stopped and provided emergency medical care and then evacuated her to our main base. The young lady suffered extensive facial lacerations and went under medical care. During the entire course of the incident she did not utter a single weep. As a unit, we adopted her and her sister as we learned that they were the sole breadwinners for their family. I've never witnessed as much courage and bravery as I did in that young girl.
14. Name: Ken Herrington
Title/Company: First VP Wealth Management / Morgan Stanley
Branch: US Marine Corps
Rank held at beginning of service and at end: 2d Lt / Colonel
Service Dates: 1971-2001
Work you did: Infantry Officer
Brief story that stands out from your service time: I had the honor to serve with our Nation's heroes and had an incredible experience. 
15. Name: Robert Kailes
Title/Company: Financial Planner / Robert Kailes, CFP
Branch: US Army
Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Specialist 5 E5
Service Dates: September 1966 – September 1968
Work you did: Highly Classified Document control
Brief story that stands out from your service time: I was stationed in the Pentagon. On 4/5/68 Martin Luther King was assassinated. I got caught in the riots the next day. Two months later on 6/5/68 Robert Kennedy was assassinated and there was fear of another riot. The SCLC was camped out in front of the Lincoln memorial and was a quagmire. I was put on special assignment at police headquarters to answer the phones for the generals in charge. No riot in part because of people such as singer James Brown giving a free concert.
16. Name: Daniel Kopp
Title/Company: Founder / Wise Stewardship Financial Planning
Branch: US Air Force
Rank held at beginning of service and at end: 2nd Lt – Captain
Service Dates: June 2009 – February 2018
Work you did: Air Battle Manager
Brief story that stands out from your service time: I became a financial planner in part because of the work of getting to be a volunteer financial counselor while I was on active duty. Getting to see the transformations in peoples' lives as they paid down debt, saved for personal goals, and invested in their future was so inspiring I realized I wanted to help people with their money full time.
17. Name: Patrick B. Lough
Title/Company: Financial Planner / Charter Financial Planning
Branch: US Army
Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Enlisted: Pvt.-Sgt. / Officer: 2nd Lt.-Captain
Service Dates: 1977 – 1985
Work you did: Enlisted 1977-1981, 95B Military Police. Artillery Officer 1981-1985, Fist Chief, Battery Executive Officer, Battalion Fire Support Officer. Airborne Ranger.
Brief story that stands out from your service time: When we jumped into Grenada as Part of Operation Urgent Fury in 1983, there was a Brig. General on our plane that was making his first jump in 20 years. He said to us, "Hell of a refresher course, huh, men"
18. Name: Colin Mackenzie
Title/Company: Regional Director / Cetera Advisor Networks
Branch: US Marine Corps
