Veterans Day is a time to honor the dedication, bravery, and sacrifices of the honorable men and women who have served our country. Each year on November 11, we come together to honor thes. One such hero is John Kubinec, a proud Spartan alumnus and distinguished U.S. Air Force Brigadier General, who exemplifies the spirit of American service.
During his high school years, John was an admirable student and a very active football and Track and Field member. His path took a significant turn when his then football coach, Coach Eppley, introduced him to the opportunity of attending a military academy—an option he hadn’t previously considered. Inspired by the chance to serve, John went on to study at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.. He went on to receive further education at the Maxwell Air Force Base (1998), The George Washington University (2000), Maxwell AFB (2006), National Defense University (2009), and the University of Virginia (2012).
John believes that each person’s experiences “shape who they become”. He’s learned that, while we can’t always predict what life will bring, “we can choose how to respond”—and that we’re never alone in facing life’s challenges.
“Service”, to John, can take many different forms, and can be unique to each individual. “It’s interesting,” said Kubinec, “I would come back home to Pennsylvania after being on leave to visit my parents, and people would ask, ‘Are you still in the service?’. That’s how people in western Pennsylvania refer to people in the military, is being ‘in the service’. Which I think is great because that’s what being in the military is all about, serving your neighbor. But all of us can be in the service one way or the other.”. When asked what words of wisdom he has for the future generation, he replied that he was encouraged by our younger generations. The younger generation is by far the most intelligent and equipped to lead us into the future, and he has great confidence that we will do our families and country proud in any way we can. As John’s story reminds us, service is truly a journey—a path shaped by unexpected opportunities, challenges, and choices that help define who we are. His experiences reflect how service, both to others and to our country, is a commitment that evolves over time, strengthened by resilience, support, and a dedication to something greater than oneself.
This Veterans Day, we honor all who have embarked on this journey, and we are grateful for the lasting impact of their sacrifices and service.
