In every neighborhood, there are stories quietly woven into the fabric of daily life—stories of dedication, sacrifice, and service that may not be widely known but deserve to be celebrated. Here in Marietta Country Club, one such story belongs to Reuel and Virginia Hamilton, a couple whose lifelong commitment to our country reflects the best of what it means to serve.

Although Reuel Hamilton did not see combat, his career in the U.S. Army Dental Corps spanned decades, crossing both active duty and reserve service. It was a career built on skill, honor, and the steadfast belief that every role in the military matters—whether on the front lines or behind the scenes.

Reuel was born in 1936, entering the world at a unique moment in history—between major conflicts but still during a time when America maintained a strong military presence to safeguard freedom. By the time he was finishing dental school in 1958, the country was not at war, but the possibility of future conflict was always present.

Recognizing that all dentists and physicians were subject to the draft, Reuel proactively volunteered by requesting a commission and was appointed as first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Dental Corps in April 1959. Inspired by his older brother-in-law who was a career Army officer several years into what would become a 30-year service - Reuel embraced the military with respect, determination, and a desire to contribute in his own way.

He entered active duty as a captain on July 3, 1959, beginning with three weeks of basic medical officer training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. That training included a three-day field exercise, crawling under barbed wire with machine gun fire overhead—an unforgettable introduction to military life.

After training, he was assigned to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where he served as the post oral surgeon for two years. His patients included active duty soldiers, retirees, and their families. The work was challenging and fulfilling, and Reuel built strong professional relationships, particularly with his first commanding officer. At one point, he even considered applying for the Army’s oral surgery residency to make the military a long-term career.

But when a new commander arrived and their working styles didn’t align, he decided to transition into the Army Reserves after completing his two years of active duty.

While completing his residency in Houston, Reuel served in an active reserve unit. Later, after opening a private oral surgery practice in Louisville, he continued his reserve duties. At the time, the service obligation was eight years total, and in 1967 he was honorably discharged.

When Reuel and Virginia moved to Marietta, his practice grew quickly, leaving little time for additional military commitments. Still, the thought of completing enough service years for retirement stayed in the back of his mind.

Once his practice was firmly established, he applied to return to the Reserves. This time, he was commissioned as a lieutenant colonel and later promoted to colonel.

His reserve duties largely involved providing oral surgery services at the Naval Air Station in Marietta several days a month. He also participated in quarterly field exercises at Fort Benning, setting up simulated field hospitals and practicing combat casualty care. Extended training took him to Fort Stewart and Fort Gordon for 15-day exercises, further honing his readiness skills.

Two notable assignments stand out in Reuel’s memory. In 1991, during the Gulf War, he was called up for five months to fill in for the active duty oral surgeon at Fort Jackson, South Carolina who had been deployed to the Middle East. Then, in 1995, when the Army oral surgeon in the Panama Canal zone suddenly became ill, Reuel was asked—and ordered—to take over for three weeks, returning later for another two-week assignment. These moments underscored the vital role reservists play in keeping the military mission moving forward.

Though he was never in combat, Reuel’s role was clear: “As an Army medic, my mission was to be a guardian of the fighting strength.” It was a responsibility he took seriously, knowing that a healthy, ready force was just as critical as any weapon in the arsenal.

Reuel retired from the military on his 60th birthday, earning the benefits of a long and honorable career. One of those benefits was “space available” military travel, which he and Virginia embraced wholeheartedly. Their adventures took them to England, Germany, Spain, and Italy—where they enjoyed a particularly memorable two-week stay in Sicily. They often stayed in temporary military lodging, both abroad and at bases in the U.S., deepening their lifelong connection to the military community.

Virginia shared in every chapter of the journey, providing the kind of steadfast support that is the hallmark of so many military spouses. Together, they experienced both the sacrifices and the rewards of service, building a life filled with purpose, travel, and community.

Looking back, Reuel says his years in uniform broadened his life in ways he could never have imagined. They taught him discipline, gave him a sense of mission, and connected him to a network of people who share the bond of service. “I may not have been in combat,” he reflects, “but I served my country to the best of my ability—and I am proud of that.”

Here in Marietta Country Club, we are proud to call Reuel and Virginia Hamilton our neighbors. Their story is a powerful reminder that service to our country comes in many forms. Whether on the frontlines or behind the scenes, every role is vital, every commitment respected.

We thank Reuel and Virginia for their contributions, for their sacrifices, and for the grace with which they have carried their service into a life of community, family, and friendship. They represent the quiet strength and honor that define so many veterans in our neighborhood—true heroes, right next door.