On the surface, Danny Thomas appears to be your average retired Southern grandfather. However, Thomas has a very special past: He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

Thomas was in the Marines from July 5, 1962, until Oct. 10, 1966. He served in South Vietnam, civil affairs and the First Marine Aircraft Wing. During his time Thomas was stationed in Cherry Point, N.C.; Parris Island, S.C.; Chu Lia and Da Nang, Vietnam.

The conflict changed the way I looked at my country that protects individual freedoms and offers so much opportunity to its people.Danny Thomas, Marine Corps veteran"Completing basic training at Parris Island was the first highlight of my service," Thomas said. The Marine Corps basic training taught him how to live in a disciplined and structured environment.

"At the time, I did not think that was a highlight, [but] I later learned to appreciate and put into pracitce those disciplines in my business and personal life," he said.

For Thomas, having the opportunity to use his training in the Marine Corps during the conflict in South East Asia was an unforgetable experience.

"The conflict changed the way I looked at my country that protects individual freedoms and offers so much opportunity to its people," he said.

When Thomas thinks of his time in the service the first thing that comes to his mind is pride.

"I am proud that I served in the Marine Corps," he said. Thomas believes that serving your country is the ultimate service a person can give.

Thomas does not believe most people understand the sacrifice a person serving in the military makes to serve their country.

"The time a person gives out of their lives, and in some cases the life that they give in service, can never be over appreciated," he said.

If age was not a factor I would serve with pride today.Danny Thomas, Marine Corps veteran Since his discharge in 1966, Thomas has gone on to accomplish many things.

"The first actions I took when I left the military were to find a job and marry my high school sweetheart," he said.

Thomas and his wife Brenda have two children and seven grandchildren. He completed his college degree in business and went on to be a business owner, personnel director and a regional trainer. He has also been a district manager for three Fortune 500 companies. Thomas retired last year and became a seasonal ranger in the Great Smoky Mountains.

When asked if he could go back in time and choose to enlist again, Thomas said he would still do it.

"If age was not a factor I would serve with pride today," he said.

Thomas encourages anyone who is considering service in the military to join. He believes that it is a learning experience that provides a chance to mature, learn discipline and structure and gain an appreciation for the country we live in.