Oklahoma Veteran’s 28 Years Of Service Spans 3 Branches Of The Military

One Oklahoma man spent a third of his life serving his country. But Chuck Lane didn’t stick to just one branch—he served in three.

In four months, Chuck Lane will turn 90. And if he could, he’d probably still be serving in the military.

"I had to get out,” he said. “I couldn’t serve more than 26 years total, but I got 28."

In 1953, Chuck enlisted for the first time in the Navy Reserves.

"I enlisted first because I wanted to serve my country and help out in Korea."

They didn’t send him overseas, but he remained dedicated to serving. So he enlisted again, this time in the Army.

"I went to the Army and wanted to go to the Far East, to Korea. They said, 'No, you’re going to Germany.' I came back, got out, and got discharged," Lane said.

Then, nine months later, he enlisted in the Air Force.

"That was in '58. We had a slight recession, so I said, 'Sam, can I come back?'"

Chuck served in all three branches, traveled to more than 10 countries, and experienced major historical events.

"I’ve got pictures in Berlin of the Brandenburg Gate before the wall, then I also have pictures of it after the wall. That wasn’t history; it was just current events."

Among all his decorations, the biggest one he wears is his humility.

"I’m just one cog in a whole big wheel. I don’t try to look for anything special, although everyone else says, 'You are.' No, I’m not; I’m just another cog in the wheel."

One cog that inspired a few others to keep turning the wheel.

It’s now become a long-standing tradition for the Lane family to enlist. Chuck and his four sons have served a total of 95 years altogether.

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