Hubbard graduate served in Army in Middle East
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What attracted Sean McFarland to the military was his passion for flying.
"I was flying small fixed wing aircraft since I was 16. I joined the Army because I love helicopters," McFarland said.
McFarland, who now lives in Canfield, grew up in Liberty. He transferred to Girard High School, moved to Pompano Beach, Florida, returned and graduated from Hubbard High School.
"I was a Leopard, an Indian, a beach bum and an Eagle," he joked.
He enlisted in 1983. After basic training at Fort McClellan in Anniston, Alabama, he was stationed at Fort Rucker near Daleville, Alabama, for aviation training. This prepared him to be a helicopter mechanic and crew chief.
He was in Stuttgart, Germany, for two years.
"I was 18 and living large," McFarland said.
"We flew all over Germany, and when we weren't flying, I traveled everywhere."
He noted that despite the fun, it was tense preparing to battle the Soviet Union.
After Germany and additional training at Fort Rucker to be an aeroscout, McFarland went to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as part of the 2nd Squadron of the 17th Cavalry Regiment.
Being in "Air Cav" in conjunction with the 101st Airborne was his proudest experience because of the professionalism shown by the entire unit, he said.
In 1988, he had to decide his next move.
"I didn't have money for college. We lived in a trailer park with holes in the trailer and ate potato soup and ramen noodles. On a good day, we'd have Domino's pizza. We hoped it would take more than 30 minutes so it would be free," McFarland said.
He was awarded a prestigious Green to Gold scholarship. He enrolled at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, located at Fort Campbell. He obtained a degree in aeronautics while participating in ROTC at Austin Peay State University, just a few miles away in Tennessee.
Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an officer. He commanded units in New Castle, Pa., and Farrell, Pa. They deployed twice to Japan. To keep the forces in shape, he had them climb Mount Fuji, which was so beautiful that three soldiers renewed their enlistments at the top.
Although paperwork was sometimes boring, he enjoyed caring for his troops.
"I helped people get into West Point and get scholarships like the people who took me under their wing," he said.
At home, McFarland worked as a Novell NetWare engineer building networks. Then in 1996, along with his family, he purchased a convenience store, the Highland Dairy in Girard.
"I maxed out my credit card. I worked 12 to 18 hours a day. I sliced a lot of lunch meat. I look back and wonder how we ever did it," McFarland said.
As the store became successful, he acquired the Expresso market in Girard, followed by the Pit N Git in Niles in 2003.
"A month after I bought it, I had orders to go to Iraq," McFarland said.
He relied on his mother and stepfather to maintain the business, and he quickly trained an employee to be a manager, telling her he expected to be back in three or four months. He was in Iraq for 18 months.
"It was hot," McFarland said. "You wore gloves to drive. I never drank so much water in my life. You're constantly under cover because the sun will burn you up. Then you've got sand everywhere. You take a shower and five minutes later, it's all over you. They throw you in a hell hole, but you get used to being miserable."
McFarland offloaded ships, moved ammunition and conducted convoy operations. His unit avoided casualties, although he knew people who were hit. He developed tinnitus as a result of being around generators 24 hours a day. "We had it better than most, but not as good as some."
He liked the early hours.
"I'd walk the perimeter and see the sun come up. I got to know the people in the kitchen. They'd bring me a cold Pepsi every morning. It never tasted so good."
He noted the attitudes of the inhabitants.
"You first get there and people would wave. Three months later, you drive under a bridge and get rocks thrown at you. A lot of people were just poor and hungry and desperate."
Back home, McFarland married Shiloh -- "like the battle."
He credits the nurse practitioner with being a great mother to their two children. Their son, Sean, attends Youngstown State University and works for the family business.
Their daughter, Teagan, is a senior at Canfield High School and plans to be a veterinarian. She has shown rabbits and a bearded dragon named Willow at the Canfield Fair.
McFarland built the SER Market in Mineral Ridge, named for himself, his mother Edie, and stepfather Rusty, who has since passed away. Edie is 82 and still works for the company.
Since last year, McFarland has owned Lou's Beer and Wine in Austintown, a departure from convenience stores. His son Sean runs it in the evening.
"I love working with him. He stepped up. He didn't get the party animal stuff from me." He admits he has a lot to learn about wine and has been tasting more to increase his knowledge.
McFarland said he is happy for his military career. "It was a great experience. I got to fly and work on helicopters. I met people from all over the world and traveled to places I never would have seen."
In his spare time, McFarland restores classic cars and bikes. He used to own a helicopter, but sold it this year as he was fixing it more than using it. But he still wants one.
"I'd like to get another helicopter and give tours. If I hit the Powerball, I'd be buying a couple helicopters and flying a lot."
Sean McFarland
AGE: 61
RESIDENCE: Canfield (Liberty native)
SERVICE BRANCH: Army
MILITARY HONORS: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Aircraft Crewman Badge, among many others
OCCUPATION: owner of four convenient stores and Lou's Beer & Wine
FAMILY: Wife, Shiloh; son, Sean II; and daughter, Teagan