Veteran Stands Guard At Fort Bragg To Send Off Troops And Welcome Them Home With Honor

Whether it’s serving as a military officer or stepping up as a first responder, it takes a rare combination of dedication, resilience and heart to take on these roles. And for many of these individuals, that same drive carries over into life beyond the badge.

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U.S. Marine Corps veteran Roland Rochester, who served in Vietnam from 1970 to 1984, now dedicates his time to ensuring today’s soldiers never deploy — or return — without the unwavering support of those who’ve walked the path before them.

As reported by Task & Purpose, Rochester can often be found at Fort Bragg’s Green Ramp, a staging area where troops gather before boarding planes for overseas deployments. Clad in simple attire, he moves quietly among the young service members, offering encouragement, conversation and steady presence. “I don’t leave until they all leave,” he said.

Since 2002, Rochester has served as the senior vice commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10630 and as the national VFW representative for Fort Bragg. For him, it’s personal: “You’ve got some young kids that are scared to go … We take care of them.”

Whether it’s a handshake, a heartfelt “be safe” or simply standing watch as soldiers board their planes, Rochester’s quiet tradition is a powerful reminder: for many veterans, the mission of service—of showing up—never truly ends.

Want to know more? Read the full Task & Purpose interview with Roland Rochester.

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