By Andy Diffenderfer
Correspondent
CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. -- Terry Gunter's memories -- more than 40 years of serving in the military or teaching those who will -- now can be seen by others.
Retired U.S. Special Forces Sgt. Maj. Gunter's decades of service are highlighted in a display at the Walker County Regional Heritage Museum in Chickamauga, Ga. But they're also ingrained in the many cadets who learned under his tutelage as a high school JROTC instructor and now serve all over the world, he said.
"I was a career soldier," he said. "I chose it, and that was my lifestyle. When you get orders, you follow them. You have to follow the plan."
He lent the military items to the museum about four months ago. The large glass-encased display includes uniforms, Special Forces coins and a regimental flag, survival kits and awards.
Originally from Gastonia, N.C., Mr. Gunter, 70, enlisted in the Army in 1958. With Special Forces he served two tours in Vietnam -- one in 1964 as a combat medic and another in 1969 as part of a mobile strike force.
When it came to survival, "I learned early on you are playing a game of percentages," said Mr. Gunter, whose honors include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal, among many others.
He reached the rank of sergeant first-class in seven years and master sergeant in 13 years. After his second tour, he was a recruiter in New York City and served in Germany before he became ill.
"I had lost about 80 percent of my body function on my left side and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis," he said.
He served at Fort Bragg, N.C., and worked for the Veterans Administration before retiring from the military in 1982. Beginning in 1984, he taught JROTC at two high schools in North Carolina and at Ooltewah High School.
He and his wife, Judith, have three children and will celebrate their 48th anniversary in January.
Cale Queen, a student of Mr. Gunter's at East Burke High School in North Carolina, recalled the profound effect the veteran's teachings had on him.
"When I started in the program, I was 14 and very quiet, not very self-assured," Mr. Queen said. "When I left, I was a cadet colonel and had led troops through federal inspections. ROTC was where you were treated like an adult.
"Even if I had never gone into the Army, it would have been useful. Everything I learned in that class had applications in the real world," said Mr. Queen, who served four years in the Army and 10 in the National Guard.
Mr. Gunter stopped teaching in 2001 and was diagnosed with lung cancer the next year, but he said hearing from his students serving all over the globe is very rewarding.
"They still send letters, postcards and come to see me," he said. "The students who have stayed in touch with me and serve this country, well, I can't imagine it being any better for me."
Andy Diffenderfer is based in LaFayette, Ga. Contact him at andydiff97@comcast.net.