Even though it has been 17 years since Kirby Barr, a local veteran, served in the United States Marine Corps, he said he is still as patriotic as ever.

Barr, a Marine from 1990 to 1994 and a lifelong Charleston resident, said he had always planned to join the forces and joined the Marines directly out of high school.

“When the recruiter called me, I asked him what took so long,” he said. “I had been itching to join.”

Barr said for him, joining the military is a family affair.

He said his uncle, also a former Marine, inspired him to join the Marine Corps.

“I’ve wanted to do it since I was a kid,” he said. “(My uncle’s) son and I played together and grew up idolizing the Marine core and listened to all the stories.”

Barr said during his time in the Marine Corps, he served mainly in Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, but also served a six-month term in Okinawa, Japan.

He said serving oversees especially made him value living in the U.S.

“It made me appreciate home a lot more,” he said.

Barr said throughout his time in the military, he had many significant moments, but boot camp completion is among one of his proudest accomplishments.

“Graduation from boot camp is always a defining moment in a Marine’s life,” he said. “You feel proud that you made it and the other guy started and didn’t finish.”

Barr said he credited research prior to boot camp in aiding his completion.

While Barr said most of his fellow soldiers are also no longer in the Marine Corps, he said he still knows some that are still active.

“The officers (still involved) are doing great things and having a good effect on the world,” he said. “I’m very proud of them.”

Barr said on Veteran’s Day, he both commemorates and celebrates his time as a Marine by watching war movies and spending time reflecting on his time as a Marine.

Barr said although he no longer sees his former Marines, he still stays in contact with them via Facebook and Internet communication.

When Barr decided to leave the Marines, he said someone recommended him to join the Emergency Medical Technician. From there, he also decided to join the Charleston Fire Department.

Barr currently works full-time as a firefighter and EMT for 15 years.

While he is now currently married, Barr said he was not in a relationship during his time in the Marine Corps, which he said he believes was emotionally beneficial.

“Being single made it easier,” he said. “I know a lot of friends that got married, and a lot that got divorced.”

Barr said even though he is glad to be close to his family, there are times he still longs to go back to the Marines. He said he especially felt this way after Sept. 11, 2001.

“It was tough for me,” he said. “I felt like I should have gone back in, but I also felt I had to take care of my family commitment.”

But for now, Barr said he enjoys spending time with his wife, 14-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son.

He said he has hopes that his son will continue the military family tradition.

“He likes to play with guns, so I’m hopeful he’ll follow in his dad’s footsteps,” he said.

Sara Hall can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].