Hubbard man works to help other veterans
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HUBBARD -- As commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3767 in Hubbard, Joe Warminski wants to make sure veterans are recognized and cared for the way they deserve.
He was among those who worked to get the Purple Heart Veterans Bridge dedicated in May to Purple Heart veterans from Hubbard city and township. Warminski, a U.S. Army veteran, said a few years after graduating from Campbell Memorial High School, he decided to join the military.
Growing up in Coitsville, he was a member of a military family with his father, Joseph, serving in the Army during the Korean War, an uncle serving in World War II, a brother in the Navy and cousins in the Army National Guard.
"Every male member of my family served in the military. Some Army, some Navy, some Air Force. Some served in wars and some did not. My father taught us to be patriotic and to have respect for the country," Warminski said.
He said he always had a desire to serve his country like his father.
He first went to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he received basic infantry training. Warminski served several years on active duty and then four years inactive duty. He then returned to active duty for more than 30 years.
"People say I am a patriot. I was born on the Fourth of July so I am very patriotic. I enjoy serving my country. I will always have good memories of serving," he said.
In 1987, Warminski went to Germany for more than two years, where he was assigned to the 42nd Field Artillery Regiment. He then went to Fort Stewart, Georgia, with the 24th Infantry Division.
His duty has encompassed participation in three military deployments and major military offensives. Warminski served as a sergeant during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield.
He was called to serve during Desert Storm in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He later went to Haiti, Iraq and Bosnia.
He said Operation Iraqi Freedom, when he was stationed in Iraq, was the most challenging and dangerous deployment.
"The camaraderie was important. You meet strangers and then after a month or two, you seem like you've known each other forever. There was a lot of bonding, knowing if we didn't have each other who would we have?'' he said.
Warminski has been a member of VFW since 2012 and has served as commander for two years.
"When I became commander, the number one key thing for me is veterans and community service. We need to be out in the community and helping where we can," he said.
Warminski said he wants the VFW to be active in the community, including the Honor Guard performing funerals for veterans, at local parades and festivals, educational programs and flag retirement ceremonies.
"Whenever someone thanks me for being a veteran, I have a shirt I wear that says 'Don't Thank Me, Thank My Brother Who Did Not Come Home.' That hits home for me," Warminski said.
He said he likes being a military instructor and being able to pass his experience and knowledge on to the next generation.
"I tell future generations entering the military to put 100% in and you will get 100% out," Warminski said.
He worked seven years as a military occupational skill instructor on the maintenance of military equipment.
From 2018 to 2021, he served as master sergeant and senior instructor at the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Training Center in Fort McCoy, Wisconsin.
Warminski began serving in the Army in 1987 and retired in April 2023 as a master sergeant.
A retirement party took place on April 29 at the VFW.
"I will always continue to support the VFW and help lead it into the future," he said.
In his spare time, Warminski is also a military re-enactor with Dog Company 5th Range Reenacted.
Joe Warminski
AGE: 59
RESIDENCE: Hubbard
SERVICE BRANCH: U.S Army, starting as PFC and ending as master sergeant
MILITARY HONORS: Bronze Star with Valor, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct, Army Reserve Commendation Medal, Army Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with three battle stars, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal and Order of Samuel Sharpe Award
OCCUPATION: Maintenance manger with 2nd Psychological Operations Group in Twinsburg
FAMILY: Wife, Dawn; daughter, Aubri