MADISON – “Once a Marine, Always a Marine Veteran.” That slogan describes John J. ‘Hutch’ Hutchins’ experience in U.S. military service.

He enlisted in United States Marine Corps in November 1966 and reported to Boot Camp in San Diego, Calif. He completed training in Tank Mechanic School at Camp Delmar, Calif. and was assigned to 5th Tank Battalion Camp in Pendleton, Calif.

From November 1967 to December 1968, Hutchins served in Okinawa, Vietnam and the Philippines with 3rd Force Service Regiment, 3rd Marine Division FMF PAC.

In January 1969, he returned to the states at Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, Ga. He then completed I&I duty with C Company, 4th Tank Battalion in Boise, Idaho. Hutchins returned to the Far East in August 1973 with H&S Company, 3rd Tank Battalion in Okinawa and Japan.

Hutchins was assigned to H&S Company, 2nd Tank Battalion at Camp Lejeune, N.C. His last assignment was as Marine Corps System Command Project Officer (GS 13) at Quantico, Va. His highest rank was E6 Staff Sergeant.

Raised in Milwaukee, Wis., he had 12 siblings. He moved to Huntsville in May 1993 with Chrysler Defense Electronics, where he worked for 20 years. Currently, Hutchins works for as a Senior Management Analyst with Logisys Technical Services Inc.

He and his wife Elizabeth Boria have four children: Michelle, who works with COTA in Florida; Jon, Managing Partner, IT company in Minnesota; Jamie, General Manager, Croft Industries, Kansas City, Mo.; and Nicole, NASA engineer, Huntsville.

“We have six grandchildren — Jacob, Chris, Victoria, Jamie, Cory and Cora; and two great grandchildren, John Luke and Liam Jacob,” John Hutchins said.

John is a lifetime member of American Legion and participates in the Honor Guard. “I love golf and spending time with my family,” he said.