The Bethany Bomber: From Small Town Dreams

Hey y’all, welcome to my little corner of the internet. My name’s Gene U, and I hail from Bethany, Illinois – a town so small, you could blink and miss it. Growing up, school wasn’t exactly my forte, but I found my groove on the athletic field. Basketball, football, baseball – you name it, I played it. I was a pitcher from the tender age of 10, and in my senior year, I had the honor of being part of the only team in our high school’s history to make it to the state playoffs. That’s small-town glory for ya.

Baseball was my real passion. I dreamt of the big leagues, and at 19, I even got a taste of it. Fresh off a grueling 12-hour factory shift, I tried out for the Atlanta Braves. I clocked in at 89-90 mph, fast enough to earn a rookie league contract… almost. A college kid edged me out, throwing just a bit harder. A few years later, at 22, I gave it another shot with the Cincinnati Reds, hitting 90 mph again. That’s when I met a 16-year-old phenom who casually threw 102 mph. They turned him away for being too young! Should’ve gotten his autograph. Looking back, those near-misses still sting a bit, but they’re part of my story.

Life in Bethany was… let’s just say “eventful.” Small-town living can breed a certain kind of creativity when it comes to finding trouble. My friends and I roamed the streets, cooking up harmless (mostly) mischief. No drugs or alcohol back then, just good old-fashioned adolescent shenanigans.

After high school, I dedicated 20 years of my life to serving in the US Army, retiring in 2017. My military career took me all over the world: five years in Korea, two in Germany, deployments to Iraq and Bahrain, two years in Qatar, and stateside tours in Georgia and Texas. I saw a lot, experienced a lot, and carried a lot of responsibility, leading over 100 soldiers at various forward operating bases in Iraq. I rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class in just eight years, a testament to my dedication and hard work.

My time in service wasn’t without its scars. The loss of friends in combat left me with PTSD, a battle I continue to fight. I also grapple with sleep apnea, a consequence of long periods on high alert, and diabetes, which went undiagnosed for the last ten years of my military career. The memories of over 70 convoys through hostile territory in Iraq, the constant fear of roadside bombs and hidden dangers – those are things that stay with you.

This blog is a place for me to share my stories, my struggles, and my triumphs. It’s a space to connect with others who understand the complexities of military life, the challenges of PTSD, and the importance of finding strength in vulnerability. Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, and join me as I navigate this next chapter of my life. There’s a lot more to tell, and I’m just getting started.