Air Force veteran worked as electrician, had help from two mentors

Our Veterans, Their Stories

  • Kirk Bertolet joined the U.S. Air Force in Sept. 1979 and served as an electrician in the 1827 Electronic Installation Squadron. He was originally from Costa Mesa, CA, and now lives in Bethel. Bertolet is also the Activities Director and incoming Sergeant at Arms at Shawnee's Gill-Mattox American Legion Post 16. Photo provided
    Kirk Bertolet joined the U.S. Air Force in Sept. 1979 and served as an electrician in the 1827 Electronic Installation Squadron. He was originally from Costa Mesa, CA, and now lives in Bethel. Bertolet is also the Activities Director and incoming Sergeant at Arms at Shawnee's Gill-Mattox American Legion Post 16. Photo provided
  • Air Force Veteran Kirk Bertolet is shown in 1983 while stationed in the Federal Republic of Germany. He served in the 1827 Electronic Installation Squadron and traveled the world updating electronic equipment on Air Force bases. Photo provided
    Air Force Veteran Kirk Bertolet is shown in 1983 while stationed in the Federal Republic of Germany. He served in the 1827 Electronic Installation Squadron and traveled the world updating electronic equipment on Air Force bases. Photo provided
  • Kirk Bertolet of Bethel poses with his service dog Heidi on Oct. 27. Bertolet served as an electrician in the U.S. Air Force with the 1827 Electronic Installation Squadron. From 1979 to 1984, he traveled all over the world and learned from a couple of his superiors who took him under their wing. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun
    Kirk Bertolet of Bethel poses with his service dog Heidi on Oct. 27. Bertolet served as an electrician in the U.S. Air Force with the 1827 Electronic Installation Squadron. From 1979 to 1984, he traveled all over the world and learned from a couple of his superiors who took him under their wing. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun
    Kirk Bertolet, who now lives in Bethel, joined the U.S. Air Force in September 1979 when he was 22 years old.He graduated from high school in Costa Mesa, CA, and had been working at minimum wage jobs for a few years.“I was floating around working minimum wage, and I realized that, if I didn’t do something to enhance my value to employers, that I was going to be minimum wage th...

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