PA Turnpike Honors its Service Members

Through the November, the Turnpike paid special tribute to many of its servicemembers. Here’s a look back at some of their stories: 

Steven Doughty, Design Services Coordinator

If it wasn’t for the Army, Steven Doughty’s life would be very different than it is today.

Back when he was about to enlist, Doughty was pondering what military occupational skill he wanted to pursue when his recruiter made a suggestion.

“He said, ‘How about field artillery surveying?’ and I said, ‘What’s that?’” Doughty recalled. After a quick explanation from the recruiter, “I told him, ‘Sure, I like maps,’ and I’ve been surveying ever since.”

That’s what Doughty does today for the Pennsylvania Turnpike, though it’s for roadways and rights-of-way rather than mapping out areas for artillery fire.

He enjoyed working with a tight-knit group of professionals at an organization steeped in tradition, and from his time in the Army, Doughty has taken with him important lessons in personal accountability, accomplishing goals as a group and what it takes to make the mission a success.

“We were working together do something greater than ourselves,” he said.

Doughty served mainly in Germany from 1984 to 1987 during the Cold War, when the threats of the Warsaw Pact loomed large.

“When you were back in the states, the Cold War was abstract, but when you’re there and you can’t go into East Germany, but can see the border, that’s something else,” he said.

He made lifelong friends in the Army. In fact, he’s still in touch with one friend from basic training who has also gone on to make a career out of being a surveyor, all thanks to scoping out artillery ranges in Germany 40 years ago. 

Rich Wrzesien, Cloud and Server Management Consultant

As a kid, Rich Wrzesien recalls going to air shows and just loving the whole environment, taking in the sharp soldiers and the inspiring atmosphere of patriotism.

The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 were what cemented it for him, inspiring him to enlist in the U.S. Army, serving as a military police officer before making the transition to IT.

“It was an opportunity to do something different,” Wrzesien said. “I feel lucky to have had that chance.”

Wrzesien rose to the rank of sergeant, and in his time of service from 2003 to 2008, he was deployed twice to Iraq with only a six-month turnaround between tours. For his service and team leadership, he was awarded the  Comat Action Badge.

Veterans Day is often a time for reflection, some of it good, some of it sorting out the issues that linger for many who served their country. But it’s a service that Wrzesien is proud to have been a part of.

“I think it’s one of those things you can share with others who serve,” he said. “There’s camaraderie in the experience that can’t really be duplicated in the civilian world.”

Though he has only been with the Pennsylvania Turnpike for a short time, he said it does resemble the Army in a lot of good ways with the way the organization is structured and the focus on being a part of a team. 

Chris Weber, Bowmansville Equipment Operator

It was 9/11 that inspired Chris Weber to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, where he served on active duty and as a reservist for eight years.

In that time, he learned many valuable lessons, like “adapt and overcome,” which will sure come in handy as his first winter with the Pennsylvania Turnpike approaches. 

As a Marine, Weber served as a scout observer, reaching the rank of corporal, and was deployed to Iraq in 2006 to 2007. While overseas, his job entailed many patrols, convoy security, and the training Iraqi police officers.

One of Weber’s favorite memories was when he was awarded the Navy and Marines Corps Achievement Medal, recognizing his exemplary duty during a Close Air Support exercise, and as the sergeant major and lieutenant colonel pinned on his medal, an F-18 roared overhead, low enough he could read the numbers on the bottom of the wings.

“It was one of those moments where you felt like you were in a movie,” he said.

When Veterans Day comes around every year, Weber often thinks back to his time in the Marines and serving with a those who will forever be his band of brothers, he said. He and his stepfather – a Navy veteran – often visit his son’s school for a Veterans Day program, and it’s a good reminder of the importance of the day.

“I’m thinking of all the sacrifices of those who have gone before us for the liberties and freedoms we have today,” he said.  

Brian Frock, Senior Technology and Innovation Specialist

Growing up, Brian Frock was a competitive, three-sport kid, so when it came to enlisting in the military, there was only one branch for him.

The United States Marine Corps.

“If I was going to join the military, I was going to do it the hard way,” Frock said. 

He served from 1991 to 1995, reaching the rank of corporal, and worked in communications, often operating a radio for reconnaissance and intelligence units.

While Frock learned many lessons during his time in the Marine Corps, like having the mindset to function in chaotic situations, perhaps the most important thing was the camaraderie. There’s the old saying, “Once a Marine, always a Marine,” and today, he is still in touch with many of his fellow Marines – those who served with him and an extended family of those connected by the same uniform. 

A big group of them will rent a cabin in Michaux State Forest every November to celebration the Marine Corps Birthday on Nov. 10 and Veterans Day the following day. They have active groups that reminisce and help their brothers and sisters when they’re in need.

“It’s really an extended family,” he said.  

Marisa Lucier, Engineer Project Manager

Growing up, Veterans Day for Marisa Lucier included celebrating her father and the sacrifices he made for his country and family through his service in the Air National Guard. 

Now, it’s a day they share together. 

“It’s really a special moment for him and me,” Lucier said. “We weren’t forced to serve – we chose to volunteer and do this big thing for our country. And, at times we served together.” 

After taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test on a whim while in high school, Lucier received nearly 20 calls from recruiters. When she was 19, Lucier officially joined the Air National Guard, serving alongside her father as part of the 211th Engineering Installations Squadron at Fort Indiantown Gap. She worked her way up and now serves as an active technical sergeant. Beyond juggling active duty with a full-time job, Lucier recently earned her degree from Penn State. 

“The growth you make as a person throughout time in the service is what makes me most proud,” Lucier said. “You learn a great deal about yourself and others when you pay attention and try to absorb as much culture and respect for others. Serving really opens your eyes and minds to treating people the way you want to be treated. It really takes you out of your comfort zone and helps you break into a fourth wall you never knew existed.” 

Lucier served three different deployments in the Middle East, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. She received handfuls of recognition for her service, including 2023 NCO of the Year, Humanitarian Service Medal, and the PA General Thomas J. Stewart Medal.  

“When you have good leadership, you don’t see the rank. You treat everyone with the same respect – nothing is beneath you,” Lucier said. “Behind any leader there is always a great team. Some of these achievements and recognitions I would never have gotten if it wasn't for the leaders before me and the team behind me supporting me.”  

Mark Strause, IT Technology Analyst I  

 Recently, Mark Strause was attending a Veterans Day program at his son’s school when he heard one of the speakers share that only 7% of the United States’ adult population are retired military members.  

Despite being shocked at the low percentage of Americans who have served in the military, he was also proud to be included in that number.  

“I truly am very proud, and I’m even more proud of all of the people that serve right now protecting our country. If it came to the call, no matter how old we are, how young we are, what shape we are in or whatever else that is impacting our lives, if we had to go out today and fight alongside our active duty military, we’d still take up the banner to go out there to protect this country and make sure that it’s safe for everyone else in the world.”  

Strause joined the military in 1985 and served 20 years, serving in both the Air Force and Air National Guard. During his service, he was stationed in in various places including Greece, Iceland and Florida. He received the Air Force Accommodation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, and two Humanitarian Medals.  

 "Going into the service at 20 years old, you don’t have the structure. But it gave me the structure, it gave me the guidance,” said Strause, adding that it also gave him the understanding of what veterans go through and the support they need.  

 “More needs to be done for our veterans to make sure they are safe and OK,” he said.  

While serving the air defense missions in Iceland, he eventually brought his wife and 2-year-old son at the time to live with him while stationed, which was a unique experience for them. After returning home, his second son was born in Tyndall Air Force Base. While a different base, he shares a Florida birthplace with his oldest brother.  

Strause is proud of the time he served and fell in love with everything the military provided while he was enlisted.  

“Friends, family, comradery and a self-pride knowing that what I was doing was to help protect America. I've had numerous jobs, which allowed me to grow as a 20-year-old to have guidance and understanding and a pride in doing a great job every day to the best that I could, which still continues today here at the PA Turnpike with friends, family and comradery.”  

Robert Blandy, Consultant, RADgov, Inc.  

Right above his computer monitor, a wood burning carving is proudly displayed on Robert Blandy’s wall. “God Bless America” is inscribed around an American flag with 48 stars.

 The wood carving was created by his grandfather in 1944 while he was serving in World War II and serves as a reminder to Robert on the military connection he shares with both of his grandfathers, who served in the Army Air Corps during WWII.   

“I was able to talk to them about what I experienced and the different things I had gone through, and that was something that helped me a lot,” Blandy said. “It really was a special connection.”  

Blandy served 29 years in the Air Force, including 22 years for special operations. He was deployed 13 different times that overlapped five different wars and included places like Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Panama, Egypt, Dominican Republic and Germany. 

“I was just trying to do the best job that I could with the people that I had. We don’t do this for medals or the ribbons. We are trying to stay alive and keep the people around us alive, while doing a great job for America and doing the mission that was asked for us.” 

Blandy continues to engage different veterans' groups and organizations, and he knows he is meant to be there.  

“Sometimes, it’s just a thumbs up to know that I’m still there. And sometime, that’s all you need, to know there is someone out there that still cares,” Blandy said. “Community is what it’s all about.” 

Next Month, Blandy will be a keynote speaker at the Wreaths Across America in East Berlin.  

When Blandy speaks, more than 30 different medals will be displayed on his rack while wearing his military blues. These are more than decorations, but instead serve as a symbol of the service, sacrifice and heroism for Blandy. 

“Knowing what our people have gone through as veterans of foreign war and combat, Veterans Day means a lot to me because I know what was sacrificed to protect the people of the United States. I think about those things, about what our veterans have been asked to do, and what younger troops who are being led into places of danger to get the job done are going through,” he said. “I was proud to serve the people of the United States and protect their interest and way of life. It was a privilege and an honor.”  

Stephen Guszick, Design Services Coordinator

It doesn’t happen very often, and Stephen Guszick is one of those rare people who made the switch from one branch of the armed forces to another.

And he served deployments in Iraq with each of them.

“I enjoy the Air Force much better,” said Guszick, who is now a senior master sergeant with the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 201^st REDHORSE (Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron). “I enjoyed the Army, but the Air Force is more focused on training us for doing our jobs.”

During his first deployment with the Army in April to December 2009, he was a geospatial engineer, making maps for the command staff. But in the Air Force a decade later from October 2019 to June 2020, he is proud of his team’s work in designing and building the parking apron outside of the airfield of the Eribil International Airport, all while the military was thwarting ISIS attacks and dealing with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those were trying circumstances for such a far-ranging engineering job.

“It involved a lot of attention to detail,” Guszick said. “If you don’t have all of the resources you need, you just do the best you can with what you have.”

He has a similar job with the Turnpike and is mostly involved with surveying rights-of-way, but one thing about the Turnpike that he’ll always appreciate was how supportive his coworkers were during that second deployment. They sent his unit care packages, and they also helped Guszick’s family back home during the holidays.

“Our department actually got a Christmas tree for my wife, and they bought gifts, which they didn’t have to do,” Guszick said. “It was really quite amazing.” 

Guszick is still active in the Air Guard with 19 years of service under his belt. And nearly two decades in, he still enjoys the camaraderie and is still learning important life lessons. 

“I think the military really teaches you the leadership aspect of how to treat people,” he said. “Whatever your differences are, you can work them out.” 

Mike Elliott, Newville Maintenance Assistant Foreman

Germany during the Cold War was an interesting time and place to serve in the U.S. Army, and Mike Elliott spend much of his time seeing the country as he drove a fuel-tanker truck for a field-artillery unit.

He saw the Berlin Wall, and in his off time, he got to visit historic sites like castles and monasteries dating back to before the United States was even dream.

While it was an interesting time historically speaking, Elliott was too busy to give it much thought in the moment as he kept the troops supplied with fuel and took part in live-fire exercises at the Grafenwoehr training site.

Elliott remains in touch with some of the people he served with and recently rode motorcycles with his old section chief, whom he had not seen in 30 years.

“It’s something I’m glad I did,” Elliott said about his time in the Army from 1987 to 1989. And it gives him a different perspective when reflecting on Veterans Day. “I remember staying in foreign country, protecting the flag there and at home, and I remember the guys I served with – some of them who are not here today.” 

Martin Latimore, IT Project Manager – Transportation Technologies

Martin Latimore was just 18 years old when he arrived in Giessen, Germany, ahead of his unit.

“It was a little overwhelming,” Latimore recalled.

He was fresh out of high school and new to the Army, working as a special electronic devices repairer. But he soon got to work and stayed busy through his three years in the Army, where he repaired everything from radios, to secure communications devices, to search lights, to computers with the 32^nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, 4/3 Patriot Missile Battalion and 518^th Combat Support Company.

“I just enjoyed working with a lot of different people who I never would have known before,” Latimore said. “Everyone was working together for the good of company.”

Though it was the Cold War, there were a lot of reminders of the dangers all around, like the bombings of the Rhein-Man Air Base, the Frankfurt PX and the West Berlin discotheque. Some members of his unit where there for the last one.

He served from 1984 to 1987 and is proud of that service, which set the path for him to come home and study electronics and eventually get into the IT profession. And Latimore still keeps in touch with a few members of his unit, getting together every five or 10 years for a reunion in Atlanta.

Veterans Day, he said, is a good day to reach out to those people in your life who have served in the military and to let them know that you’re thinking about them and grateful for what they’ve done for our country. 

Jon Ahrens, Bowmansville Assistant Foreman

Right after high school, Jon Ahrens followed in his father’s footsteps and enlisted in the United States Navy, and though he never set foot on a ship, he got to see the world.

Ahrens was a Navy Seabee, after all, and they go wherever the Navy and Marine Corps goes to quickly build bases and help protect the perimeter.

“We built bunkers, helo pads, and watchtowers,” he said. “We needed camps, we needed all kinds of stuff to live, and if it wasn’t for us, everybody would be in a bad mood and wouldn’t be living properly.”

Ahrens served from 1988 to 1993, reaching the rank of petty officer second class. He served in the Gulf War and the Somalia conflict, as well as in Guam, the Philippines, Spain, Italy, and around the United States.

Seabees often build something out of nothing in no time before moving on to the next location, and that expedited construction technique has helped Ahrens through his career. If a problem arises at Bowmansville, there is often a Seabee solution to fix it.

But for Ahrens, his time of service is about the camaraderie. To this day, he and his fellow Seabees get together every couple of years for a reunion.

“It’s always great to see these guys again,” he said. “It’s like you were in high school with them, and now you’re all grown up.” 

Tyson Clouser, Senior Engineer Project Manager – Environmental

Just five days after his 17^th birthday, Tyson Clouser went to his local recruiter’s office and enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

 “At that time, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do for a career, but I knew I wanted to serve my country,” Clouser said.

In the Army, he worked in automated logistics with 2^nd/112^th Infantry, 28^th Division, which was basically working in supplies and ensuring the motor pool had what it needed to keep the Guard running.

Clouser served from January 1997 to June 2003 while earning his engineering degree and starting his first job out of college with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Though a career in engineering was a different turn from his job with the military, Clouser picked up a few lessons from the Army that he’ll never forget.

“The biggest lesson was teamwork,” Clouser said. “If surround yourself with a good team, you’re destined for success.”

It’s a lesson he keeps in mind to this day at the Turnpike.

Looking back at enlisting at such a young age gives Clouser a different perspective on celebrating our nation’s veterans and being appreciative of those who honorably served. Beyond that, as the father of teenagers, Clouser hopes his children can also find something they’re passionate about at a young age, something near and dear to their hearts that will enrich them for a lifetime. 

Randy Prue, Newville Equipment Operator

Randy Prue was trying to decide what he wanted to do with his life when military service came to mind.

“I was young, and out in the country, there are not a lot of options,” he said. “My father had served, and I decided to go that way.”

He enlisted in the Air Force in 1988 and served for three and a half years. That includes serving in Desert Storm.

While most of the country was watching the war unfold live on television from their living rooms, Prue was there, refueling aircraft. It was a busy, chaotic time, he remembers, between his service and starting a family.

Looking back, serving in the military is something he is proud to have done, and during times like Veterans Day, he reflects on the friends he’s made and the experiences he’s had.

“It exposes you to a lot of cultures and lifestyles you wouldn’t see staying in your hometown,” Prue said. “It was a good experience, to be honest.” 

By Steve Marroni, PA Turnpike Commission, Communications Specialist