MADISON, Wis. — Retired Colonel and former secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Raymond Roland shares his rise through the ranks of the U.S. military and details his first-hand view of American history in his new book.
Boland recently released, “When the Bugle Calls: A Soldier’s Memoir.” It details his life experiences over 50 years as a soldier, military base commander and leader of veterans in Wisconsin.
What You Need To Know
- Boland recently released, “When the Bugle Calls: A Soldier’s Memoir”
- Boland said he was born for a life of service. He watched his father serve in World War II and knew he wanted to follow in his footsteps
- The book details his life experiences over 50 years as a soldier, military base commander and leader of veterans in Wisconsin
- The book includes some of his most difficult moments in the 50 years between Pearl Harbor and Operation Desert Storm. His hope is that readers can connect the stories of overcoming hardship, and better understand what military members go through.
Boland said he was born for a life of service. He watched his father serve in World War II and knew he wanted to follow in his footsteps.
“I had my first soldier’s suit when I was 5 years old,” Boland said. “I wore it a lot. I wore it to school.”
At 16 years old, Boland joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and the National Guard. He ended up going to flight school and left for the first of his two deployments to Vietnam in 1966. He also served as a fighter pilot in the Cold War and Desert Storm. He ended his career as the head of Fort McCoy.
“In my final assignment, I was a commander of Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, where I actually began in the National Guard 37 years earlier,” he said.
After retiring as commander of Fort McCoy, Boland was approached by state leaders about becoming secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. He held that position for nearly 12 years.
Now, at 86 years old, his mission to serve hasn’t ended. What started as writing down his history and life story for family members turned into a published autobiography.
“It was quite a journey,” he said. “Reflecting on peacetime, wartime and lots of things in-between. I learned a lot.”
The book includes some of his most difficult moments in the 50 years between Pearl Harbor and Operation Desert Storm. He said his hope is that readers can connect the stories of overcoming hardship, and better understand what military members go through.
“I think any reader can relate to the pattern of events I experienced because they are things that happen to all of us,” Boland said.