Photo By Sgt. 1st Class James Lally | Staff Sgt. Paul A. Salmi,110th Support Maintenance Company, 164th Transportation...... read more read more
WASHINGTON – After fifteen years in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, Staff Sgt. Paul A. Salmi continues to serve with the 110th Support Maintenance Company, 164th Transportation Battalion, because it gives him a sense of purpose, and he considers it his duty to ensure that his Soldiers are taken care of.
“I’m proud to put on my uniform and wear the nation’s flag on my right shoulder,” said Salmi “The camaraderie I’ve built with other Soldiers has endured for years. I’ve been fortunate enough to chew the same dirt overseas with some of the senior noncommissioned officers who still serve in my battalion.”
The 32-year-old Maynard, Massachusetts, native first came to the district in January to support the presidential inauguration. Now he’s serving as a platoon sergeant for an immediate response force supporting federal law enforcement agencies around the U.S. Capitol. Following the inauguration, National Guardsmen have been requested to continue to provide security, communication, medical, evacuation, logistical, and safety support to civil authorities through mid-May.
Salmi joined the Guard in 2006 and mobilized to serve in Iraq in 2010 as a motor transport operator.
“Driving over 10,000 miles all around Iraq in convoys was as exciting as it was exhausting,” said Salmi. “A convoy could last eight hours, or upwards of 20 depending on what obstacles you came across. Improvised explosive devices and small arms fire were a daily challenge but sharing those experiences with my friends made it all worth it.”
When he’s not on duty, the seasoned veteran likes to cook. “I love to prepare all sorts of dishes including chicken parmesan and homemade meatballs,” said Salmi. Cooking is a soothing outlet to a bad day and it’s the most relaxing thing I do.”
Salmi lives in Gardner, Massachusetts, and works as an exercise science salesman. “My experience in sales enhanced my military career by providing me with the tools to maintain a training schedule while being able to teach and mentor small and large groups,” said Salmi.
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| Date Taken: | 04.08.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 04.08.2021 11:25 |
| Story ID: | 393331 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Hometown: | GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 89 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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