Stories of War: From failure to purpose

There may be many people in this world who struggle with failure.

But how many people can get over the hurdle of failure only to find purpose?

George Vogul, affectionately known as “Big George,” did just that, all while serving his country.

After being drafted into the United States Marine Corps after high school, Vogul gave up his dreams to play music and baseball.

“I learned to play accordion for 20 years but I went to work for a gentleman named Tommy Mingo and he was kind of like my father figure,” said Vogul.

Vogul remembers struggling with his new life in the military.

“The first night in boot camp, I got there in San Diego and followed the yellow footprints with somebody yelling at me 24/7 and I went to sleep at 12 o’clock and I can remember just crying in that bed from 12 to 5 in the morning saying what in the world have I gotten myself into,” said Vogul.

After being accustomed to his new life in the Marines, Vogul also remembers the good times.

“I was stationed out here, and about two years before I retired there was a Colonel Norton and I fixed one of his aircraft, an F4, and so there was a backseat. Enlisted don’t get to fly very often but he gave me a flight and we got in this jet. We took off here in Yuma we flew over the Grand Canyon, it took me 20 seconds from end to end in the Grand Canyon. He turned around and did a barrel roll, came back, and flew and then we landed out here,” said Vogul.

After a year serving in the infantry as a truck driver, Vogul re-enlisted in the Marine Corps Air Wing as a hydraulics man.

Somehow, he always found his way back to Yuma.

“I was stationed out in Yuma five different times throughout my career, so I was stationed here in 1970,” said Vogul.

While serving in Guam, Vogul felt he had finally found his purpose.

When he returned, his purpose turned into failure.

“I came back from Guam and my ex-wife decided to leave me and that was a very difficult time in my life. I had been in the higher class and got promoted way above my peers all throughout my time in the military and then got divorced it was kind of like the first time I ever failed at anything and it was difficult,” said Vogul.

But one thing that was constant during his struggle was his military brothers and sisters.

“The military took care of me. I had a nervous breakdown and some other things that happened to me at that time but I had a family that would watch over me,” said Vogul.

Through healing, he began to feel his purpose again, to secure the freedom of his country.

“I’m very fortunate to live in the United States where we do have the freedom and we have the freedom because of the military prior to me and me and all the services. The military, they protected me. They taught me, they gave me a career, and really the Marine Corps gave me a purpose in life,” said Vogul.

Vogul said his brothers always had his back, no matter their nationality

“In the military, everybody had your back we have black Marines, brown Marines, there are all different colors. We have dark green Marines, light green marines, but we are all Marines the blood on the inside is all the same color,” said Vogul.

The brotherhood continued, even after his retirement.

“All my military friends were right there for me and even though I have been out for 30 years. They were always supportive,” said Vogul.

To the veterans who may not know their purpose, Vogul said to find a support system.

“First of all, I would thank them for their service and let them know that there are military people no matter where that is there for them. I’ve used the VA center here with for counseling. I go to monthly meetings. If I see somebody struggling, I would take the time to take them to the vet center,” said Vogul.

He said though you may feel you are failing now, there is always hope for a purpose.

“When I got remarried and got kids, they were my kids. They were my daughters and my grandkids, and I have three great-grandkids and they all live here in Yuma and they are my joy right now. They’re my purpose in life,” said Vogul.

From failure to purpose, “Big George”, like other veterans look to military brothers and sisters for understanding.

To get more information on the counseling services at the VA, you can visit tucson.va.gov.