HAROLD "ROCK" EFFRON
Four-decade Carmel resident and U.S. Army veteran Rock Effron, as a member of Carmel Mayor's Advisory Commission on Veterans & Military and the steering committee who helped plan the city's new Veterans park, says he and other local veterans wanted a place where they could gather to bond, along with getting to know other park visitors. That future Veterans Park is expected to include a living room-style terrace with movable seats and a fireplace, lawn space for gatherings, six bubbling fountains and waterfalls representing each branch of the military, a promenade pedestrian entrance, interpretive signage and a boardwalk over a retention pond.
"Since the Army, I'm grateful for every single day we have and for what we have. I've seen things around the world that drive me crazy about how other people have to live. As Americans, we're extremely lucky," says Rock, who served in a MACV-SOG special forces unit that gathered intelligence.
Now as chaplain for Carmel VFW Post 10003 at 12863 Old Meridian St., Rock meets with veterans, takes them to the Department of Veterans Affairs, helps them secure veterans' benefits, serves on the local Honor Guard and presides over funeral processions.
PHILLIP SEAMAN JR.
Westfield/Carmel native and former U.S. Army Sgt. Phil Seaman says his military service left him with a sense of resilience and the life lesson that "you may not always like what you have to do but you do need to get things done."
His infantry service spanned 1991-1997 with deployments to New York, Kentucky, East Africa and Haiti. "We dealt with heavy weapons and there wasn't really opportunity or time to stay in touch with our families and friends. I could've scribbled a message on my MRE (meal, ready-to-eat) container, but that's about it," he explains.
In fact, about three months after Phil returned home, he says 200 letters addressed to him finally made their way to him.
He says his most memorable element from his service was teaching incoming U.S. Military Academy cadets at West Point about weaponry, how to properly camouflage and to build necessary items.
"It was hard to return to civilian life after having such a regulated routine in the Army. You have to figure out your new purpose and what you're going to do day to day," he recalls.
Now, the 56-year-old, semi-retired trade school teacher enjoys passing on his skill set that was bolstered by operating his own construction company for about 25 years. "In my first job out of the Army, a Marine taught me how to read blueprints forward and backward and in all ways. That helped me with handling retail buildouts for companies such as Sprint, Harbor Freight Tools, salons, Jiffy Lube and banks."
GAVIN GOODE
Former U.S. Marine Corps military police officer and recruiter Gavin Goode, of Carmel, says military service changed his life at a critical juncture. His five-year tenure from 1994-1999 took him to locations including Albania, Orlando and the Marine's Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina. However, it's where this experience took his mindset that might've been the most important aspect.
"I graduated high school early to enlist, with my parents signing my papers. Twenty folks in my family actually served, including my father and grandfather. I intentionally wanted to be in the Marines because that program is known to be challenging, hard. And they're tough, hard-core individuals," recalls Gavin. "The Marines gave me much-needed discipline and direction into becoming a real man, and that same discipline has served me well the rest of my life."
He believes his most memorable moment within his military service was graduating from Parris Island, with his parents there to witness he had indeed achieved "the title of Marine," officially transforming him from "a kid to a man."
The 50-year-old veteran confirms that once military discipline is ingrained into someone, it doesn't really ever go away. "Hard work pays off, but coming back into civilian life can be difficult for those who are used to regimented military life, which is all about maintaining higher standards than other people. Everyday life is more lax, and it's easy to fall back into old pitfalls. It's tricky."
Gavin says post-service, he tried jobs in bartending, retail sales and performing in 15 movies as a stuntman/body double for actors such as Orlando Bloom and James Franco, before landing in his longtime occupation for the past 22 years as a fine artist and commercial designer who specializes in handpainting on nontraditional surfaces such as stainless steel, copper and aluminum, along with canvas. In 2006, he established SemperFly Studios, which since has garnered global recognition through a portfolio that reflects nearly 20 countries.
...MORE WITH ROCK
The 79-year-old veteran served for six years from 1966-1972, which included two tours in the Vietnam War. He says before being sent to Vietnam, he was on duty that took him to embassies of 13 countries.
"It's important to remind others what war is really like. Nobody knew where you were most of the time, we had to avoid snakes that could kill us within the time it took to take two steps and receiving letters from home meant everything to us. My most memorable times were those when I could get back to my lines, to people that I knew," says Rock, who continues to explain Army-related history and experiences to local high school students as a guest speaker for annual Veterans Day convocations.
Rock's career path post-service spanned operating five different companies, performing as a licensed auctioneer and working in aerospace industry via a business that assembled aircraft and helicopters.
He says he got his nickname "Rock" when he was born 13 weeks prematurely at only 2 pounds, 13 ounces. After his attending nurse called him the Rock of Gibraltar, his rock-solid tenacity stuck with him, serving him well in life.
His advice to everyone based on his reflections? "Make sure you look at your surroundings, no matter where you are. Even if not a veteran, go to your local VFW or American Legion to see what it's all about. If you can't go physically, consider supporting our fundraisers because we serve all types of people in need, locally, such as Carmel's recent flood victims. We're all about helping the community."
"It's also important to keep history alive and remind others what we fought for and why," concludes Rock.
...MORE WITH PHIL
Phil says it's important to remember and honor that one's military service never ends after being discharged. "Your country still needs you."
Putting his sentiment into action, Phil has been in charge of Memorial Day services at four cemeteries throughout Hamilton County for the past 12 years. He sometimes serves as a guest speaker, and is involved with youth-oriented outreach efforts, such as the VFW-sponsored Voice of Democracy scholarship essay competition.
Held each year on Memorial Day, Phil says this meaningful community gathering in Carmel provides an opportunity to reflect on the courage, dedication and selflessness of those who gave their lives defending freedoms.
...MORE WITH GAVIN
One of his most notable art creations was a 10-by-5-foot painted portrait of the Statue of Liberty on a 9-foot copper sheet to honor 9/11 victims. He says it took more than 450 hours to complete, and was unveiled on Sept. 11, 2024, at One World Trade Center (Freedom Tower) in New York City.
"For the past 10 years, I've raised tons of money for charities, such as Corewell Health, Beaumont Children's Hospital and Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation. In 2023, I spent the entire year working with every charity that I could to learn how to make the best positive impact for their events," he explains. "I've even raised more money for veterans' causes than I made as a military officer."
Gavin encourages everyone to find ways to volunteer, either through time, skills, funding, products or efforts. "Part of humanity is coming together. We have a responsibility to do well with each other."
INTERESTING FACT:
Approximately 3,185 military veterans live in Carmel, according to recent U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts estimates. VA statistics indicate an estimated 325,000 to 420,000 military veterans live in Indiana, making up roughly 6% to 7% of Indiana's adult population.
Veterans Day honors all veterans, both deceased and living, regardless of whether they served in wartime or peace, as a reminder of their bravery, resilience and sacrifices. Carmel's Veterans Day Ceremony will take place on Friday, Nov. 6, from noon to 1 p.m. at The Tarkington Theater; all are welcome.