“I have no regrets about joining the military. None at all.”

Those are the words of Benny Barrow – an Andalusia man with a military career spanning 37 years – who encouraged service in the Armed Forces.

Barrow, who served as a two term mayor for Andalusia, joined the National Guard in 1947. He was 17.

“I volunteered,” he said. “They had a National Guard unit here at the time, and they were asking for volunteers, so I did. I didn’t regret it in the least. The military has been nothing but good to me.”

And while Barrow will admit that it is easy to say that about his time in the military, considering that during its peak the U.S. became involved in the Korean War. At that time, Barrow’s field artillery unit was mobilized as part of the U.S. Army.

“All my time was served stateside, and that’s always been a bitter pill for me to swallow,” he said. “But (his wife) Esther said something that changed my thought. She pointed out what a burden it was on the wives when their husbands had to go to war.”

Esther was quick to point out that was the truth, considering she would’ve been left at home with two small children to raise.

After the war ended, Barrow continued his National Guard service and later served in the reserves. He went on to earn a business degree from Auburn and worked as a State Farm Insurance agent before opening his own recycling business. During Barrow’s second term as mayor, he closed his business so that the city could offer recycling services to its citizens.

“The Army was great for me,” he said. “I encourage it. In fact, I’m sorry for those who don’t get to serve their country. Me, I loved the regimented lifestyle and the good training they provided.”