Lisa Vannoy, from left, Adam Vannoy, Joshua Vannoy and Larry Vannoy were photographed before Adam deployed to Afghanistan. (CONTRIBUTED)

Veteran of the Week

MADISON – Before retiring as a colonel in the U.S. Air Force, Larry Vannoy had the honor of commissioning his son Adam as an Air Force Officer.

Growing up as an Air Force “GI brat,” Larry Vannoy earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of South Carolina in electrical engineering in 1977 and was commissioned as an Air Force officer through ROTC.

“I served on active duty for nine years and Air Force Reserves for 21 years. I reached the rank of colonel,” Vannoy said.

His active duty assignments included Wright Patterson Air Force Base (AFB), Ohio, where he received a master’s degree in electrical engineering. Then, Vannoy was assigned to Kennedy Space Center to work on the Space Shuttle. His third assignment was at Lindsey Air Station in Wiesbaden, Germany in intelligence collection.

“My fourth assignment was at the Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington D.C.,” Vannoy said. “While in the reserves, I held assignments at Space Command, Los Angeles; Wright Patterson AFB; Eglin AFB; Missile and Space Intelligence Agency at Redstone Arsenal; and Air Force National Security and Emergency Preparedness Office at Fort McPherson, Atlanta,” Vannoy said.

“Our family loves the Southeastern United States,” Vannoy said. After active duty, Vannoy pursued engineering jobs on “Star Wars” missile defense programs that President Ronald Reagan initiated.

Larry and wife Lisa have four children: Jessica, 37, of Franklin, Tenn.; Ashley, 33, Huntsville; Adam, 31, San Antonio; and Joshua, 11. “We have two grandchildren, Riley, 10, and Regan, 9 and are expecting a granddaughter in January,” Larry said.

Since living in Madison, Larry has been quite involved with volunteering as a soccer, baseball and softball coach; Madison Street Festival chairman; host of Trail of Tears commemorative motorcycle ride; and member of Madison American Legion Post 229.

Larry served on Madison City Council 12 years (2000-2012). For the last 10 years, he and Lisa have owned Posh Mommy & Baby Too baby boutique. An outdoorsman, Larry enjoys golf, motorcycles, fishing and camping.