David Oliver: Museum director heading to Afghanistan in troop deployment
David Oliver's two lives evolved from one unusual childhood habit.
"I didn't read about Dr. Seuss," he said. "I read about World War II."
Oliver, director of the Tinker Homestead and Farm Museum in Henrietta, will leave his historian's life for a military one when his National Guard unit mobilizes this month in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan.
After two months of training at Fort Bragg, N.C., members of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 108th Infantry, based in Geneseo, Livingston County, will travel to Afghanistan for the second time in two years to provide security for forward operating bases.
Oliver enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1984 at age 17 and served for four years.
"It was the Rambo years," said Oliver, whose love of adventure led him to the infantry.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, his National Guard unit has been deployed within New York five times.
After the 2005 London bombings, he was the non-commissioned officer in charge of subways, railroads and ferries in the New York City area.
When Oliver and members of his unit rode around the boroughs, grateful neighbors would approach their trucks and express appreciation," he said.
In his civilian life, Oliver intended to teach in a high school after receiving an American history degree from Monroe Community College and a master's degree in military history from the American Military University.
But he said his job at the Tinker Homestead offers more hands-on work....
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"I didn't read about Dr. Seuss," he said. "I read about World War II."
Oliver, director of the Tinker Homestead and Farm Museum in Henrietta, will leave his historian's life for a military one when his National Guard unit mobilizes this month in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan.
After two months of training at Fort Bragg, N.C., members of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 108th Infantry, based in Geneseo, Livingston County, will travel to Afghanistan for the second time in two years to provide security for forward operating bases.
Oliver enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1984 at age 17 and served for four years.
"It was the Rambo years," said Oliver, whose love of adventure led him to the infantry.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, his National Guard unit has been deployed within New York five times.
After the 2005 London bombings, he was the non-commissioned officer in charge of subways, railroads and ferries in the New York City area.
When Oliver and members of his unit rode around the boroughs, grateful neighbors would approach their trucks and express appreciation," he said.
In his civilian life, Oliver intended to teach in a high school after receiving an American history degree from Monroe Community College and a master's degree in military history from the American Military University.
But he said his job at the Tinker Homestead offers more hands-on work....