OKINAWA, JAPAN; Korea; the Philippines; Thailand; Australia; Singapore; Hong Kong; Saudi Arabia; the United Arab Emirates; Qatar; Kuwait; Iraq; Kosovo; Cuba; Greece; Italy; Spain; France; Germany; Norway; Scotland; Israel; Crete; Egypt; and Somalia. This isn’t a listing for a popular travel guide. These are the places Tommie Boleyn was deployed to from 1983 to 1996 while enlisted in the Marine Corps and from 2003 to 2023 while serving in the Army National Guard.
Boleyn said, “Both my mom and my dad came from very large families. All of my uncles on both sides were military veterans, most of them combat veterans. They served from World War II through Korea and Vietnam. My father and my uncles were a huge influence on me as a young man, and I joined the Marines to follow in their footsteps.”
He was born in Oxnard, California, at the Port Hueneme Naval Hospital. Boleyn said, “We got out of the Navy after my dad served two tours of duty in Vietnam. My dad moved our family to Iowa because that’s where his family was from. I graduated from high school in 1983 and immediately enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Since I came from a family that is strongly aligned with military service, they all supported my decision, and it just seemed like the natural thing to do.”
When he enlisted, the U.S. Marine Corps was conducting operations in Beirut, Lebanon, and Grenada. “I did not personally go to those two conflicts, but I had many friends that I knew who did. Those conflicts ended in 1983, and it seemed like after that, the U.S. just went from one conflict to the next. I participated in combat operations in Kuwait and Iraq. I’ve served in overseas contingency operations in the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, Kosovo, Cuba, the Philippines, and Egypt.”
Boleyn continued, “I absolutely loved every minute of it. For 33 years, I got to be a part of the greatest military force that this world has ever known. I wouldn’t trade one minute, good times or bad, for that experience. I believe every young man in this country should get the opportunity to serve something bigger than [himself ]. I have stood on every continent except Antarctica. I have literally traveled the world during my 33 years of service. I’ve crossed the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and crossed almost every sea on board ships. I’ve been above the Arctic Circle, across the equator, and across the international date line. I’ve been in the desert, the jungle, and the Arctic mountains, and have flown around the world. It would probably be easier to name the countries and places I haven’t seen.”
Throughout his years of service, Boleyn’s love of the military never wavered. The patriotism instilled in him as a boy who idolized his father, his uncles, and many others shaped the man who faced — and overcame — countless challenges. These strengthened his dedication to our country and encouraged him to lend a helping hand to his fellow “brothers.” Today, he continues this dedication as the commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5019.
“Patriotism is the knowledge of the origin of this unique American experiment in governance. It is the responsibility of each of us to understand how we came to be as a nation and what we must do to protect it. Patriotism is the honest, God-fearing application of our natural rights within our own communities. We take care of our families and our neighbors. We give our time to worthy causes. We don’t rely on distant politicians to solve our problems locally. When we get back to those basic principles, we will begin to solve all of the temporary problems that we face.”
Though he has traveled the world, tasted international cuisine, heard remote dialects, and met people from locations across the globe, his allegiance has always been to the United States of America. We are his comrades. We were worth his sacrifice.
“I learned this country is worth sacrificing for. I’ve seen with my own eyes how people live in other countries, and I can tell you [I’m] 100% sure that we have it made in the United States of America. The privileges that we enjoy come with a cost, and young Americans have to be willing to stand up and defend this nation to ensure the continuation of this thing.”
Boleyn has been married to his wife, Tara, for 31 years, and they have two daughters, Caitlin and Chelsea. Bedford County has been “home” for the last 26 years. “Tara is my rock. She is the one who kept our family together and handled absolutely everything when I was gone. She’s probably the toughest human being I’ve ever known, and I know a lot of tough humans. To say I’m proud of all three of them would be an understatement. I’m humbled that God put them in my life, and I couldn’t be more inspired by anyone else. They are truly the most important people in my life, and I’m grateful for them. They sacrificed more than I ever did and kept everything going when I was away.”
To those considering enlisting in the military, Boleyn said, “Be proud of our country and do not be ashamed to tell people why you are. Actions speak louder than words — put your skin in the game and give something back for all that we have.”
Boleyn encourages everyone to become acquainted with our local veterans. “Be a part of patriotic events. Talk to your kids at the dinner table and remind them of all those who have given their lives for this country,” Boleyn said.
In the end, Tommie Boleyn’s story reminds us that the strength of our nation has always rested on ordinary Americans who choose to serve with extraordinary devotion. GN
