Cloth of the Nation

Ep 06 | Traveling the World with a U.S. Navy Veteran

46 min · 13 de may de 2026
Portada del episodio Ep 06 | Traveling the World with a U.S. Navy Veteran

Descripción

Don Hershey was born in Lancaster County and raised in the Lehigh Valley.  As the son of his high school principal, Don faced more than his fair share of social pressure from classmates. By the time he graduated, he was eager to get as far away from his hometown as possible and had little interest in attending college.  Instead, Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he trained as an Electrician’s Mate and attained the rank of Second Class Petty Officer.  Don served in the 6th Fleet aboard the U.S.S. Nimitz (CVN-68), an aircraft carrier, and the U.S.S. Vulcan (AR-5), a repair ship, from 1978 to 1984—during the Iranian and Libyan crises. He completed two Mediterranean, two North Atlantic, and multiple Caribbean cruises. His Navy service gave him the opportunity to see much of the world and to form lifelong friendships.  After his military service, Don earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from Kutztown University. He went on to spend forty-two years working in federal, state, and local government, as well as in the public sector.  Don is retired and currently lives in Hummelstown with his wife, Cindy.

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