Ahead of Veterans Day this Friday, FOX43 is shining a spotlight on local veterans and their lives afterward.
In the run-up to Veterans Day on November 11th, FOX43 shines a spotlight on local veterans and their lives afterward.
James Cornwell is the owner of Nine Pines Farm in York County.
Cornwell was a fellow nuclear mechanic in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program for nine years.
The machinist-turned-farmer says the witty skills he learned in the Navy are the skills he uses regularly in his new profession.
“Working with what you have is definitely one of the most important things I’ve learned, which means that in a submarine you can be at sea for a very long time,” Cornwell said. said. “When things break, you have to get creative.
But it wasn’t just the skills he learned on the job that helped Cornwell succeed after leaving the Navy. Cornwell graduated from his College of York two years earlier with a Master of Business Administration.
“I used GI billing for that, and I think it’s one of the most beneficial things that has contributed to our success here at Nine Pines.”
Jon Zurinskas is the owner of DTC Legal Group.
Zurinskas served in the Pennsylvania State Army National Guard while attending law school.
“Every day, I do a lot of writing and research, talking to clients and keeping them up-to-date on what’s going on in their cases.” At the time, the closest law school was Widener College, which is the Commonwealth Law School, and I actually went there part-time for three years.”
Zurinskas said one of the reasons he was able to attend law school was the support he received from the military.
“I took advantage of the tuition aid program, which was kept in the Carlisle barracks,” said Zrinskás. “Our business, He DTC Legal Group, is a group of lawyers. He has a case manager and several medical consultants who focus and specialize in DUI and traffic violation citations.
Zurinskas said the program isn’t just for entrepreneurs, it’s open to anyone who can benefit from a VA.
“Even if you are not looking to start a small business or anything like that, I highly recommend taking part in these programs. Learning so much about the benefits of VA can be very beneficial to many.”
Joe Yurick is the owner of JDog Junk Removal & Hauling.
Yurick served in the Army as part of the Air Defense Artillery Corps, operating the Patriot Missile System and deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
“When I made the transition from military to civilian. It was pretty rough and this was way back in 2004. There wasn’t as much support from the VA as it is today.”
JDog Junk Removal & Hauling is now a national franchise and its crew are local veterans. Yurick says it was his time in the Army that helped him succeed.
“My military experience prepared me 100% for this industry because when I was in the military it took a lot of gut fortitude to get the job done.” said Yurick. “There are a lot of jobs that we show up, but as soon as I walk into the house I am ready to be nauseated because just by smelling it I adapt, overcome, see the mission first and knock it out.” It’s just… something that was instilled in me in the military.”
Download the FOX43 app here.
