Retired Judge highlights his time in duty
Retired Judge Dan Bratka was the featured speaker at Monday’s Bellefontaine Rotary Club meeting. To highlight Veterans Day and to honor his service Judge Bratka was asked to share about his career in service. At a young age he enlisted in the United States Air Force while still in high school.
Bratka is a proud 1972 graduate of West Liberty Salem HS. He spent time in the Air Force in a military police unit and later served in the Air Force Presidential Honor Guard. While serving in the Honor Guard, Bratka estimated that he participated in more than 500 funerals for service members at Arlington National Cemetery and numerous other ceremonies.
He says one of the highlights of his time in the service was serving as the Air Force representative on the White House Color Team for America’s Bicentennial Year in 1976. In 1976, Bratka left active duty in the Air Force to return home to pursue his education. However, he continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve for 35 years, retiring from the service with the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2007.
The Rotarians enjoyed listening to the stories and looking back at the history of 45 years ago through the photos that were shared which include the Judge serving perfectly in position.