Veteran Salute: A brotherhood from the very beginning

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Through the military, many say they have gained a “brotherhood” and life-long friends. But for these Kansas veterans, they were fortunate to enter the service with a brotherhood and bond already. 

Robert and Randy Stuart are twin brothers hailing from Emporia. Robert Stuart chose to pursue college right out of high school and Randy Stuart enlisted into the United States Marine Corps to pursue his lifelong dream of being in law enforcement. 

After a few years at Emporia State University, Robert decided it wasn’t for him and needed a change in his life. 

“He called me from oh, I think you {Randy} were in, Lachlan,” Robert Stuart said. “And then I was like, you know, I’ve got to do something different,” Robert Stuart said. “I mean, the thing is, you know, the military is not for everybody, and I get that. But when you have no idea what you want to do with your life, it’s a good way to start. “

That decision led him to the best choice he’s ever made: eight years in the corps as a bulk fuel specialist. For his first deployment, he had a piece of home waiting at his back door. 

“When I got to Okinawa, I’d been there like seven or eight months,” Randy Stuart said. “And he told me, ‘hey, I’m getting sent.’ He had finished his schooling to be a bulk refueler on aircraft. At the time, I was already a certified law enforcement officer in the Marine Corps was doing my job basically, providing very basic law enforcement protection and safety for people lived on base. He shows up. And little did I know his barracks was going to be right behind mine. I could literally walk out the back door of my barracks, walk 50 yards, 60 yards. And I was at his room.”

Having a best friend with you in a time like deployment makes the tough times easier. But the two always made sure to have a good time when they could. 

“There’s a lot of things that I saw that 19 20, and 22-year-old kids shouldn’t have seen,” Randy Stuart said. “But, you know, I didn’t let it get me down. I had family and friends, and we worked hard, but we played hard just as well. A lot of softball tournaments too.”

For Randy Stuart, his 12 years of service, and Robert Stuart with his eight years, being a marine for them never ended; it continued 24/7. Wearing the eagle, globe and anchor across the chest is something to show pride in. But, more than that – it’s the ‘thank you’s’ that mean the most.   

“To hear people say, thank you for being here, it means the world,” Robert Stuart said. “I don’t think people say it enough. You are absolutely welcome from the bottom of my heart.”

The Stuart brothers now reside in northeast Kansas, where Randy Stuart has been with the Burlington Police Department for the last 17 years. Robert Stuart works at Michelin building tracks for farmers. 

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