This week for the These Dads Are Doing It Right series I am going to highlight some dads who served in the United States military. These dads have not only served our country, but they are helping out different communities. In addition, if there are any other dads that you think we should check out, leave their name and info in the comment section below.
Fantastic Military Dads Helping Communities
Mark Hertling
Lieutenant General (Retired) Mark Hertling served thirty-eight years in the US Army. In the Army he served as a tanker and cavalryman while also spending thirty-eight months in combat in multiple roles. During Desert Storm he was an assistant division commander in the 1st Armored Division in Baghdad. In additon, he was a commander of the 1st Armored Division in Northern Iraq. After retiring from the army, Mark became a senior vice president for a major health care organization and later became a professor of practice in strategic leadership at the Crummer School of Business at Rollins College. He is an active public speaker on leadership, national security issues, and health care.
From 2014 to 2024, Mark appeared as a military and national security analyst for CNN/CNN International. Today, he is a freelance analyst and writes extensively on national security and leadership issues for a variety of media outlets. His book If I Don’t Return offers reflections of life and service based on a journal he wrote to his young sons during Desert Storm. Mark is married to his best friend, Sue. They have two sons, five grandsons, and two granddaughters.
Gregory Prayer
Gregory Prayer was honored by the National Alliance for Youth Sports for providing more than 4,100 hours of volunteer service to the youth sports programs with the Camp Lejeune – New River community in North Carolina. Prayer volunteer service came natural to him after serving his country for nearly 27 years in the United States Marine Corps. “I think it’s very important for kids to have someone who is there for them, to help them with sports, and help teach them life lessons,” said Prayer.
David Franklin
In 2016, Sergeant First Class David Franklin was featured by the U.S. Army. They showcased his story as a hard-charging noncommissioned officer. David balanced his duty at Fort Lee, Virginia, with raising two children alone. In addition, he participated in the Single Parent Assistance Network. It is a forum designed to help military single parents connect and support one another. He was stationed at Fort Lee. There he spoke openly about the “triumphs and challenges” of maintaining military readiness while being a primary caregiver.
Brian Eisch
Retired Master Sergeant Brian Eisch was featured in the Netflix documentary Father Soldier Son. Brian has three sons and is currently in a relationship. His family life has been defined by both military sacrifice and significant personal tragedy. The documentary from The New York Times follows Brian Eisch and his family over the course of ten years. In the film you see the meaning of sacrifice, purpose and American manhood in the aftermath of war. In the memory of Joey’s passion, the Joey Eisch Memorial Youth Wrestling Tournament was set up to help others.