How Mr.Foote explain Veterans Day

By: David Foote (Mr.Foote) Edited by: Talon Silvia

When people ask how my military experience relates to Scouting, I always say the biggest connection is service to others. In the military, it’s service to our country; on a smaller scale, it’s service to your fellow soldiers. Everyone is there to help each other with whatever is needed. Every single person, no matter their job, has one mission—to make the country a safer and better place to live.

In Scouting, I see that same spirit of service. Scouts learn to help others at all times. They develop a brotherhood (and sisterhood) where everyone looks out for one another. By learning to lead, they too help make the country a better place.

Why I Joined the Military

Honestly, my reason for joining the Marines wasn’t the most traditional one. I really didn’t enjoy high school and found myself bored with no clear plans after graduation. I went to a recruiter, found out the Marine Corps was considered the toughest branch, and thought, that’s the one for me.

It turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. I met people from all over the country—different races, religions, and backgrounds. Through those experiences, I began to understand what many young people were missing: direction, structure, and a sense of belonging—things Scouting provides so well.

Life in the Marines

During my four years of service, I was deployed to four different countries. I trained on NATO operations in Germany and Denmark and spent a year on Okinawa, Japan—a small island about 400 miles south of the mainland. Other stations included South Carolina, El Toro, California, and a few U.S. deployments to Yuma, Arizona, and Twentynine Palms, California.

Three of those years were with the Marine Corps Air Station, but my time on Okinawa was special. I served on an ammunition base and spent a lot of my free time snorkeling—something I never expected to fall in love with.

My Proudest Moment

One of my proudest moments was graduating from Boot Camp. I received a meritorious promotion for showing leadership during training. That recognition meant a lot because it reflected teamwork and resilience—values I see echoed in Scouting today.

Interestingly, one of our recent Eagle Scouts, Tyler Montgomery, joined the Marine Corps and also earned a meritorious promotion at the end of basic training. Not many people receive that honor. It’s something truly special.

Coming Home and Adjusting to Civilian Life

Leaving the military was actually pretty quiet. I had saved up vacation time, so I was able to leave just before Christmas and spend the holidays at home—a gift in itself.

But the adjustment was awkward. Most of my old friends had never left our hometown, and I felt like I had changed in ways they couldn’t understand. I had seen and done so much more than I ever imagined.

A Marine-Turned-Hairdresser

After the Marines, I bounced around a few jobs before deciding to go to hairdressing school—yes, you read that right. A former Marine became a hairdresser! It got plenty of laughs.

But the structure and discipline I learned in the Marines helped me succeed. Within a couple of years, I began teaching hair color for a manufacturer. I traveled around the country doing workshops for licensed hairdressers while working at my father’s salon during the week.

That career lasted 35 years—a lifetime of teaching, mentoring, and meeting incredible people. And I believe my military background gave me the discipline and adaptability to thrive in that environment. Living with people from all walks of life in the service taught me that we can learn something from everyone.

What I Wish People Understood About Veterans

When I served, it was shortly after the Vietnam War ended. The country wasn’t very supportive of the military then—it was a sad time for veterans.

Thankfully, over the past 15 years or so, the attitude toward veterans has changed. Today, people are more appreciative, and that means the world to those who served.

If there’s one thing I wish everyone understood, it’s that every veteran has sacrificed something—time, comfort, safety, and often a piece of themselves—to serve this country. Whether during peacetime, wartime, or conflict, every veteran I know would do it again without hesitation.

Final Thoughts: The Connection to Scouting

Both Scouting and the military are built on shared values: service, brotherhood, leadership, and respect.

Through Scouting, our youth learn the same lessons I learned in the Marines—how to lead with purpose, serve others, and make their community and country better. When Scouts grow into that sense of duty and character, the future of our nation shines a little brighter.