Hank Stratman's message to youth is to "be all that you can be."
"Not everybody's going to be a doctor or a lawyer, but whatever your talents will permit, push yourself and expect more of yourself than you do of others," the retired U.S. Army two-star general said.
Originally from Vienna, Stratman dedicated 33 years of service to the U.S. Army. He worked as a field artilleryman and has supported all military operations after Vietnam.
He was involved in the military operations of Desert Storm, the Cold War, the first Gulf War, the liberation of Kuwait, Afghan Taliban takedown, the collapse and defeat of Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq, as well as two terms in Bosnia during the 1990s conducting peace-keeping operations.
Stratman said one of the most rewarding moments of his military career occurred in 1990 during Desert Storm.
His battalion of 633 men all returned to base safely after traveling from Germany to Saudi Arabia to liberate Kuwait. While there, they supported three different divisions with field artillery fires.
"We were as much in the heat of the battle as you could be and didn't lose a soldier, so I'm proud of that," Stratman said. "If I had to pick one major contribution, I would pick that one because it wasn't just the soldiers - it was their future wives, wives and children."
Stratman is known locally as project leader for the East Side Business Association's Freedom Corner, which was adopted in 2013 at the intersection of East McCarty and High streets in Jefferson City.
Prior to the Freedom Corner, there was a memorial from 1976, but it needed to be restored and updated, he explained. Jefferson City offered businesses the opportunity to adopt the space, and the East Side Business Association took on the challenge. To get started, they solicited donations from local businesses and some contributed supplies at discounted prices, Stratman said.
The Jefferson City Council approved the project Sept. 1, 2013, and the ESBA dedicated it Nov. 11, 2013.
"It was a quick turnaround, but be we did it," Stratman said. "One reason we wanted to do this here is because a lot of students pass this land a lot ,and I wanted them to be encouraged to one day serve their country. This is a tribute, not a memorial - you don't have to be dead to get recognition. We want to recognize all those currently serving as well as those who have served."
Jefferson City's Freedom Corner is one example of how everyone can contribute to their country and community.
"It's a visible recognition of the need for good quality service members," Stratman said. "My advice to all youth, whether they serve in the military or not, is focus on 'ask not what the country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.' Don't look for entitlements or a free ride - that's not a sustainable America."