As a country boy from the southeast, Alabama Robert Reeder always knew he wanted to serve his country. Back in 60’s, it was the Army that caught his attention, however, he ended up serving more than 20 years in the Navy.
"Right after Christmas in '63, I went to join the Army, nobody was there and this guy behind me said I could wait in his office until they got back from lunch," Reeder said. "It was a Navy recruiter, and I’ve been with the Navy ever since."
Reeder served in the Vietnam War and worked as a boatswain mate, his job was to help maintain the ships while out at sea.
He’s since retired and now works in the same field but his uniform has slightly changed as the Port Master at Naval Station Mayport. His job is to direct the ships on where to park when they arrive.
"When they come into port and they need certain services tugs, pilots, shore services everything provided for them I'm the guy that sets it all up," he said.
It’s a job he’s enjoyed for the past 32 years and he doesn't plan on slowing down anytime soon.
"I love watching a gray hull getting underway and waiting for a gray hull to come back. I also enjoy watching sailors standing on deck, knowing where they are going or what they are going to do and wanting to be there with them in a way but not wanting to be there in a way you know it’s just a good life," he said.