Sarah and Andy Moffit retired from the Army in 2024 and 2025 with a combined 47 years of military service. Andy enlisted in the Army as an airborne telecommunications technician with an initial tour of duty at Fort Bragg, NC. Sarah began her Army career as a quartermaster specialist in Camp Smith, AR. They each applied to and later graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY where they first met. Andy commissioned into the Infantry and Sarah into Military Intelligence where they proudly served for several years. Andy later became a Special Forces Officer and he and Sarah served within 7th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, NC and Eglin, Air Force Base, FL. Andy and Sarah’s overseas assignments include Seoul, Republic of Korea and Stuttgart, Germany. Together, they have multiple deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and South America in support of overseas contingency and counter-narcotics operations. Their final assignments were with the U.S. Army Parachute Team (the “Golden Knights”) and XVIIIth Airborne Corps. Andy is a native of Maryville, TN where he and Sarah now live with their three daughters: Austin, Savannah, and Dakota and mother Sally. They are happy to be a part of a supportive military community in East Tennessee and look forward to serving God and others with a renewed sense of purpose in their next chapter.

Steve Buelow was born and raised in Appleton, WI. One of two children and the son of James and Joann Buelow. Being raised in a farm community Steve at a very early age hired himself out as a farm hand to earn a little money. Fondly, Steve recalls his father saying, “if you need a helping hand look at the end of your wrist, you’ll find two”. His family has a long history of serving in the armed forces, notably his grandfather served 31 years in the US Army. Gaining a field commission during WWII retiring as a Major. Interestingly, Grandpa John lied about his age (15) and joined the Army during WWI and was found out and told to come back when he was old enough. Steve’s Grandpa John if you count his short time in the Armybefore he was found out about young age served in three wars, WWI, WWII, and Korea.

Steve joined the Navy on the delayed entry program in 1970 after high school and attended boot camp in Great Lakes, IL; in January 1971. Aviation Machinist Mate A school in Memphis;and A6 (Intruder) Plane Captain school at Naval Air Station Oceana in VA.

Steve was assigned to the line division of Attack Squadron-75 as an A6 Plane Captain. In the spring of 1972, he deployed aboard the USS Saratoga to the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of Vietnam. Working in the high tempo of flight deck operations,Steve and his shipmates participated in two major campaigns –Linebacker 1 and Linebacker 2. These campaigns motivated the North Vietnamese to come to the table and release American POWs in the spring of 1973. Around that same time, the Saratoga and Steve returned to the States. Remembering the tragic losses of several air crews, Steve recalls the horrible feeling when his aircraft twice failed to return to the ship. In all, Saratoga had seven deceased and where a couple have returned nine P.O.W./M.I.A. were listed.

Steve reenlisted and was assigned to the Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River, MD. There he served with the Strike Aircraft Test Directorate. Completing his shore rotation, Steve returned to the USS Saratoga, achieved the rank of Petty Officer 1stClass, and served as the Leading Petty Officer of the line division of Fighter Squadron 103 until he left active duty inNov 1978.

Coming home for service members during the Vietnam era was tough for those in uniform. Steve recalls arriving to his hometown in his dress blues when 4 collage students spit on him and called him a baby killer. This experience has motivated Steve to never forget those that served and has dedicated himself to ensure no service man or woman ever has that experience again.

While serving in the Naval Reserve, Steve was employed full-time as a government contractor. At the same time, he earned a BS degree in Aeronautics from Embery Riddle Aeronautical University. Steve became the Director of Aircraft Service and Maintenance and later held other assignments in the Aero Space Operations Division of his company.

In 1993, Steve’s career moved to Information Engineering and Technology during a time when the IT industry was beginning to explode, and strong managers were in short supply, achieving the level of VP of DOD operations. Of significant note he oversaw the design and deployment of the Navy’s ONE-Net contract and later was responsible for the network management aspects of the Navy’s Next Generation Networkcontract. In total, Steve served the Department of Defense for nearly 50 years, most of which were with the US Navy.

Steve joined American Legion Post 256 six years ago and is currently serving as the Post Commander. He has also heldpositions as the Post Finance Officer and 1st Vice Commander. Additionally, Steve is a life member of VFW Post 12135.

Steve and his wife Betsy enjoy retired life on Tellico Lake in Vonore. They have five children and six grandchildren. He is an avid Green Bay Packer fan but also enjoys following the Vols.His real sports passion is high school, college, national, and international wrestling. Because he, his three sons, and his fourgrandsons are/were all wrestlers. Steve’s motto is — “Pain is just weakness leaving the body.”