May 20, 2003 By Patty Shultz 4 min read

The early lessons learned while milking the family’s dairy cattle and caring for his mother and siblings after the death of his father, laid the groundwork for a former Perryopolis resident’s rise through the ranks of the state’s Army National Guard. “You develop a good work ethic when you have to milk cows twice a day,” said Col. Robert P. French, as he reflected on his 30-plus years in the military.

French will be the keynote speaker at the May 26 Memorial Day program in Connellsville.

A 1968 graduate of Frazier High School, French earned his bachelor of science degree in education from Mansfield State College and then taught English at Wellsboro High School.

Shortly after graduating from college, he enlisted with the Connellsville unit of the Army National Guard.

“There came a time when someone said I was doing a pretty good job (with the National Guard) and should consider doing it full time,” said French. “I liked what I was doing, so I did it.”

His continued military education and training advanced him to a variety of positions and locations throughout the state.

Today, he serves as chief of staff to the adjutant general of the Pennsylvania National Guard.

“My job is to keep things organized, to make sure the soldiers are properly trained,” he said, adding that the Pennsylvania Army National Guard has achieved national recognition for its well-trained force.

With the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the role of the civilian/soldier has expanded and will continue to grow as the war against terrorism is fought, speculated French.

“The war on terror is going to take troops, and the National Guard will be asked to supplement the active duty military,” he said.

Over the past year, the state’s guardsmen have provided security forces for several U.S. military bases overseas and throughout the commonwealth, along with taking part in a multinational peacekeeping force in Bosnia.

More recently, the state’s Air National Guard has taken part in Operation Iraqi Freedom and several units are being trained to participate in a NATO peacekeeping force in Kosovo.

French speculates that the Guard will eventually be called to take part in a peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan.

“And we will be ready for that duty,” he said, adding that approximately 3,700 of the state’s National Guardsmen are mobilized.

French said the most difficult thing for a civilian/soldier is being at home one day in the role of a parent, son or daughter and on the battlefield the next day, carrying out the mission of his/her military unit.

“There is never an issue of competence with the soldiers; they are committed to their duty and responsibilities,” he said. “It is the things that are taking place at home that cause the majority of problems for the soldiers while they are away.

“The washing machine that has been working wonderfully will suddenly break down; a missed birthday or anniversary can cause problems.

“Our goal as officers is to mitigate those problems and give them a good environment to work in; if you do that, the soldier will handle the mission.”

French said he has enjoyed his tenure with the National Guard and does manage to return to the family farm four or five times a year to visit with family and friends.

“Southwestern Pennsylvania has so many good, hard-working people,” he said. “I always look forward to coming home.”

The parade will begin at 9:45 a.m., on the city’s West Side, with American Legion Posts 762 and 301 conducting a memorial service along the Crawford Avenue Bridge at 10 a.m.

The program will be conducted at the Connellsville Veterans’ Memorial at the conclusion of the parade.