‘We all served our country’
Veteran stationed in nation’s capital
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WARREN -- Kim Floyd spent time in the 1980s serving her country in the U.S. Army with the military police stationed in Washington, D.C.
Floyd served from 1986 to 1988, signing up at age 18 right after graduating from Boardman High School in June 1986. She said her brother, Jack, is a Navy veteran who served during the Persian Gulf War, and their father, John, was an Army veteran.
"We all served our country," Floyd said.
She went to basic training that fall at Fort McClellan, Alabama, which also included police school where she learned use of weapons, physical training, police techniques, and basic military and police laws.
"At first basic training for someone who is 18 can be hard. It is something completely different. We had to learn different police tactics," she said.
Floyd was then stationed at Fort Belvoir near Washington, D.C., and then also at Fort Myer, Va., which were in close proximity.
One of her duties was guarding President Ronald Reagan and also providing protection at Arlington National Cemetery, which was near the barracks.
"We were assigned to protect the planes and those getting on and off. We were always on high alert with all the dignitaries coming in. The president and Nancy Reagan would talk to us. It was unbelievable how nice they both were," she said.
Floyd was stationed in Washington, D.C. where she provided protection to ambassadors, heads of state, and also at military funerals serving gate duty at Arlington.
"It was emotional at the funerals when the horses would bring in the casket. We were there for Memorial Day services," she said.
Her hours were often 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., seven days a week for guard duty. She often would have to check people's credentials before they came onto the bases and sometimes do vehicle searches and provide protection to officers. She also had to check to make sure buildings were locked.
She said she remembers when two young men, both 19, were on duty and playing around with their weapons and one shot the other one.
Floyd said other women also served as military police.
"Women today still do not get the same recognition as men for military service. It is disheartening and sad to me. I would go places with my husband and we would both be wearing veterans hats and people would shake his hand, but wouldn't shake mine. My husband would tell people that I was also a veteran. Too often women get pushed to the side and don't get the recognition they should be. We did what the men did while serving our country. My husband gets thanked for his service, but I usually am not," Floyd said.
Floyd's husband, Phil, also is an Army veteran and served during the Vietnam War,
After the military, Floyd studied criminal justice at Youngstown State University and then got a job at Easco Aluminum, where she met her husband.
Kim Floyd
AGE: 53
RESIDENCE: Warren
SERVICE BRANCH: Military Police, U.S. Army
OCCUPATION: Laborer at Easco Aluminum
FAMILY: Husband, Phil, who also is a veteran