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Serving Bulverde/ Spring Branch Since 2006Kathleen BanseState Farm Insurance Agent830-438-7025 33200 Hwy 281 NBulverde, TX 78163 www.kathleenbanse.comAuto • Home • Business • Life • RentersProvide A Safety Net For Your FamilyAFLAC HELPS PAY WHAT MAJOR MEDICAL DOESN’T!Medical Bills • Mortgage • Groceries Transportation • Other Daily ExpensesCall Today!Richard Tiritilli 210-872-2905 Richard_tiritilli@us.aflac.comCoverage is underwrittenby Aflac. In New York, coverage is underwritten by Aflac New York, WWWHQ-1931 Wynnton Road-Columbus, GA 31999 Z2200653 EXP7/23Let Me Hunt Down The Perfect Loan For You!THE LOAN HUNTERHermie TalamantezThe Loan Hunter Residential Mortgage NMLS 497087Offer A Full Suite of Products for Your Mortgage NeedsAsk Me About Homes For Heroes!Call Today!(210) 284-6185hermietheloanhunter@gmail.comHAPPY 4th Of July!Win A Personalized Cutting BoardEMAIL:HillCountryEngraving@yahoo.com with name and phone Deadline July 31, 2023Serving all of Comal CountyWood & Glass • Engraving Plaques • Custom Wedding Packages Custom Banners • Stickers • SignsSuite 103 830-946-1007 30310 FM 306HillCountryEngraving.com SpringBranchMilitary - continued from page 6Mike made an important decision to plant his roots in Texas. Since 2001 he has called Bulverde/ Spring Branch, home!Having developed a myriad of skills as an Intelligence Analyst and Senior NCO (retired Senior Master Sergeant/E-8), Mike chose to be his own boss as a civilian.He currently owns San Antonio Print Supplies (25 years), operates the Bulverde Mr. W Fireworks Superstore (11 years), and is a home-building consultant for Built Green Custom Homes (3 years).As a professional networker, connector, and servant leader, much of his time is spent helping others in the community.Mike has been very active in the BSB Chamber of Commerce since 2013,Currently: Vice Chair, BSB Chamber Foundation; co-chair Leadership Program;co-chair Veteran Council; chair Bingo Committee; Legacy AmbassadorFormer Chairman of the Chamber Board for 2017 and 2019.He serves on the board of several other non-profit organizations, including Acacia Medical Mission, which sees patients without insurance in Comal County.Mike has been married to Chery Johnson since 2010 and their blended family is comprised of 5 children, 6 grandchildren, 5 dogs, and 2 mini-donkeys. They enjoy relaxing on their front porch and spending as much time as possible with their family (including his parents who moved here from the great white north of Minnesota in 2019). His son, Shane Johnson, is a career Army man with 3 years left before retirement.My Grandson Chose To Enlist In The US NavyMSubmitted By Linda Reynoldsy grandson, SR Colton W. White lost his beloved stepdad to Covid in 2020. So, he moved inwith us, set up a private office and finished his Senior High School year completely online. Yet, he felt at a loss as to what his future was to bring.After much thought, he chose to enlist in the US Navy for his family and, to give back, he said.After flying through boot camp, he was stationed in San Diego. He takes his job seriously, loving its challenges and working hard to advance. He’s already taking college courses and, has recruited a friend.A Veteran’s Legacy in PhotosWhen the Navy Seals needed a volunteer to act as a drowning person in the ocean, he eagerly said “I’ll do it!”, not even knowing what it was for! He was dropped from a helicopter and spent over 20 minutes treading water in the rough seas!His first deployment overseas is June 19th. He’s anxious to serve his country and excited to see what lies ahead for him. As Logistics Specialist, long hours of preparation are involved daily; inventorying massive amounts of equipment supplies, then insuring they’re in good condition before loading onto the ship. Wish him well!SR Colton W. White57 Years and Still Touching LivesGBy Lou Duganeneral Paul W. Tibbets, pilot of the B-29 Enola Gay; Lt. Richard Cole, co-pilot for Jimmy Doolittle’sraid on Tokyo; Roy Acuff, musician; Elvis Presley, superstar; Christa McAuliffe, teacher and NASA challenger astronaut; Marilyn Monroe, actress; plus, more and more--- what do they have in common? Hair.... Yes. Hair.Hundreds of personalized, autographed photos adorn the walls of this unique, old Bulverde building, at one time a simple stagecoach stop between San Antonio and Blanco. Where you ask? The Gentlemen’s Barber Shop, 29102 Highway 281, owned by Gary and Margaret Rodgers. Plus, the common aspect of this veteran’s story is the fact that barber Gary Rodgers, while in the military, actually knew, met, or cut the hair of these people.“I joined the Army when I was 16 and later started cutting hair part-time to earn extramoney,”Rodgers,now83,says.“Ihada wife and two kids and needed extra income, so I went to barber college at night on the GI Bill to learn to cut hair. After basic training atFort Bragg, I was assigned to Recon for the 3rd Armored Division of Patton’s Tank Corps in Korea. About 1966 I came to San Antonio and continued to barber part-time at Fort Sam Houston, Camp Bullus, and Randolph AFB. I retired from the Army in 1972 and started barbering full-time at 5 Points in San Antonio near Baptist Hospital and then the Gunther Hotel. I opened my own barber shop in 1974 in Alamo Heights. My wife had a flower shop right next door to me.”“Almost all the photos in my Bulverde shop are of customers I have served through 57 years of military service and cutting hair,” Rodgers says. “Many just happen to be famous. At the shop I am surrounded each day by memories that are real. When I was young, I played guitar and ‘jammed’ with Roy Acuff and Chet Atkins. Elvis and I were at Fort Hood together and I also met Marilyn Monroe while I was in the Army.”“I was the first barber out here inBulverde and Spring Branch.” Rodgersadded. “I continue to do it in recognition ofthe warmth of the people I meet and myGary Rodgers joined the Army at 16.July 2023www.bsbhighlights.com 7ability to touch their lives.” “I dedicate my success to my wife Margaret. I call her ‘Boss’ to show my love of her.”