Jefferson County Commissioners award March Veteran of the Month

FAIRBURY - The March Veteran of the Month in Jefferson County is John Mitchell. 

On Tuesday, the Jefferson County Commissioners awarded Mitchell with the honor, as well as with a Quilt of Valor and a Vietnam Veteran lapel pin. 

In February, 1957 Mitchell and a couple friends decided to quit school to enlist in the navy using the "buddy plan" to ensure they remain together throughout basic training. Following boot camp in Great Lakes, IL., Mitchell was assigned to electrician's school as well as submarine school. 

Mitchell made several deployments to the western Pacific, spending time in Pearl Harbor and Portland, OR. In 1975, back in San Diego, he served as chief of a boat, and later became a recruiter in Georgia. 

After three years of recruiting, he finally retired to Navy fleet reserve in July of 1980.