After 32 years of service, Ringgold resident Lt. Col. Burt Fisher is retiring from the Army with full military honors.
During his Army tenure, Fisher served six tours of duty. His first operation was as commander of a Palletized Load System trucking company in the invasion of Iraq in 2003-2004 under Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also served as a joint information and network director in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015 under Operation Enduring Freedom.
He served for three four-star level commands during his time in the military, and culminated his career at Army Materiel Command in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. The command's mission is to build and supply equipment such as helicopters, tanks and trucks for the U.S. military and its allies.
Fisher credits his rise to the rank of lieutenant colonel to grit and hard work, and is grateful for the knowledge and experience he's gained during his service.
"It's a good way to get some experience and do some good stuff for the world," said Fisher of serving in the Army, adding that he believes everyone should spend some time in the military after high school or college.
Fisher also worked as a math teacher at the Howard School from 1999-2007 before being called to serve again in 2008.
"I believe in the red, white and blue," he said. "America has some of the best people in uniform, but we couldn't do it without the support of the community."
Contact Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6508. Follow her on Twitter @emcrisman.