“Freedom is the opportunity to live a productive and happy life.” These words from Gary De Kler were his response to the question, “What does freedom mean to you?” Gary served as a professional performing musician in the Air Force, and we are honored to tell his story.
Gary De Kler was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on July 11, 1955. His mother, Carmen Torres, is from Puerto Rico, and his father, Glen Herman De Kler, is the son of Dutch immigrants. Gary was also raised with two brothers, Randy and Roy, in Jersey City until the age of eleven. The family then moved to Wilmington, Delaware. When Gary was young, he enjoyed playing music, singing, fishing, and being outside.
Gary graduated from William Penn High School in New Castle, Delaware, in 1973 and then attended a few different colleges including an Air Force community college, Colorado State, and the University of California. He was eighteen years old when he joined the military and had thought about joining earlier in his life. He was not drafted, but he did decide to enlist in the military because he wanted to be a professional performing musician.
Gary received basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. After training at San Antonio, he was then stationed at McGuire Air Force Base near Trenton, New Jersey, and later stationed near Colorado Springs. Through his military experience, he traveled throughout the United States and to several foreign countries. He played for parades, formal events, other performers, and even five presidents. He requested the specific job of a professional musician, and as a musician, he was not specially trained by the military. When asked which placement he favored, he said he liked the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
Gary recalled some of the conditions during his training. Gary was given utility, concert, and cold-weather uniforms. He said the weather during his service was “normal,” as they went through all of the typical seasons. He had to be available twenty-four hours a day, and they were called at random hours. The rules included being at work on time, wearing the given uniforms correctly, and behaving correctly. The dwellings provided were barracks, which are dorm rooms used as military housing. When the question was asked how the meals tasted, Gary De Kler replied that the food was “good.”
During his service, Gary’s basic duties were to maintain proficiency and play every instrument that was listed. What he enjoyed most about his job was making good music with good musicians. He said he disliked performing at athletic events, though. Gary's primary instrument was bass, but he had to remain proficient with all instruments. He played for five presidents including Nixon, Ford, George H. Bush, and Reagan. He also met Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, and William Clinton. At one point, Bob Hope also came to the Air Force Academy. Gary described these experiences as “good times.”
During his time in the military, Gary made close friends who he still contacts. One was a flutist, another was a drummer, and lastly, the other was a saxophone player. Gary enjoyed playing with the saxophone player. There are, of course, other friends that he met while he was in the Air Force, but these are the first three that he said came to mind.
Gary stated that he had respect for all of his commanding officers, except for one of them. The commanding officer led in fear rather than certainty and justice. However, his favorite commanding officer made others try their hardest at everything.
During his time serving, Gary was awarded two well-deserved medals. They are the Air Force Commendation and the Meritorious Service Medal. When the tour ended for Gary, he felt very proud. When asked if there was anything else he would like to add about his experience, Mr. De Kler responded, “Performing is an important contribution to and part of the military.”
Gary met his wife, Emma, during high school in July 1972, and he married her in July 1975. He and Emma have been blessed with two daughters: Samantha Hicks, the oldest and a music teacher, and Catherine DiNuzzo, a counselor. Gary and his wife also have eight grandchildren.
After Gary was discharged from the military, he first lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He has lived in many places though including New Jersey, Delaware, Colorado, California, and now, Kansas. Gary first started work as a government civilian, and his first job was at Cadet Chapel, Air Force Academy. He later became a music director. Gary is currently working as a music teacher and an assistant trap team coach at Beloit Junior-Senior High School. He has been involved in professional choir, music, and educational organizations.
When asked, “What do you want my generation to know?” Gary responded, “There are many more things in life that are unimportant than important, and we need to live a life that focuses on the important things and make the world a better place.”
We thank Mr. De Kler for allowing us to interview him and would also like to thank him for his service.
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