Veteran shares lessons learned

RITZVILLE – In 2017, after serving 23 years in the U.S. Army, Jeff Kissler retired. For a few years he remained in Georgia where he worked for a private IT security contractor, volunteered at a homeless shelter, and ministered at a church.

But Ritzville beckoned.

“I got tired of living so far away from my parents in Ritzville, so I moved back in May 2019,” he said. On his return, one of his friends, Grant Weber, invited him to work at an organic farm for veterans in Spokane. Kissler also took farming jobs with Bill Telecky and Derek Schafer, high school classmates.

He rekindled a relationship with Summer Beckley, a girl he had known in high school. Two years ago they bought a house and married.

Not prone to inactivity, Kissler started an EMT course last spring and is currently training to be a medical assistant. He also does extern work at the local hospital. “Next summer I’ll graduate and hopefully get a job at East Adams Rural Hospital,” he said.

“I promised myself two things when I retired from the military: 1) I was never going to move again, and 2) I was not going to commute. Maybe I’ll get a job at the hospital and walk to work.”

Kissler continues to volunteer at every opportunity.

“I’m interested in how everything works at our city and local government,” he said. He’s on the Ritzville Planning Commission, and serves at the Fraternal Order of Eagles and VFW Post 11446. He’s also scoutmaster for Cub Scout pack 73.

What changes has Kissler observed in Ritzville since he left over two decades ago?

“A lot of small businesses are gone,” he noted. “We had a flower shop, a car dealership, two drug stores, Jack’s Grocery, and more taverns and restaurants downtown. There’s less entrepreneurship, less volunteerism.

“There’s also less social interaction among young people,” he said. “I noticed this during my last three years in the Army. When I enlisted in 1994, 18-year-old boys behaved a lot differently when left alone in the barracks. It was noisier. In 2017 it was quiet. Everyone was on an electronic device.”

He noted that social organizations are hurting. “Technology has been great in some ways. But it can also become a crutch,” he said. “We have things so easy. We’re all so busy. You see it in the decline in church and community organization membership.”

Nevertheless, he remains optimistic. “I’m seeing some traction. Our town will grow, but we need the social interaction that’s so vital for our community. We need to teach life balance to youth, to show them what’s really important: family, God, community, caring for one other.”

“Life is not about other people’s opinions of you or how much money you have,” he said. “I’ve lived in the American South, Asia, Germany, Iraq, and Afghanistan. People everywhere value their families and kids. We all have similar natures, but outside influences and societal norms shape behavior.”

Kissler remains grateful for the opportunities the Army provided. “I wouldn’t take it back for the world,” he said. He’s also thankful for life in this small rural community. “People pulling together, helping each other out, sharing the same ideals—that’s what I love.”