Interviewed by

Mia Caldwell and Kara Moore

"Oh, it’s definitely changed my view of the world. So one of the things I knew would be different

after going over to the Middle East would be to see what life was like there

and understand a little bit about why we’re there and what’s going on... "

~ Edward Pesce (33:45)

Edward Pece's Story:

Edward Louis Pesce was born on a U.S Naval Air Station in Kenitra, Morocco into a military family. His father and role model earned the position of Captain, setting high expectations for his son. Mr. Pesce was raised in Massachusetts, and when he was of proper age went to Norwich University, a private military college in Vermont and the birthplace of R.O.T.C or Reserved Officers Training Corps program. This gave him the knowledge he would eventually need to lead and command men and women. Initially, Mr. Pesce did not want to join the army branch but was convinced by several factors that the branch was the best choice for him. He earned a degree in engineering and served in the Army Corps of Engineers, as well as several other areas.

Mr. Pesce was trained in Germany in the late 1980's and served on active duty until being transferred to the reserve in 1994 where he was able to spend a lot of his time with his wife and family. Then in 1998, he took a ten year break from service after serving the U.S. for 20 years straight. In 2009, Colonel Edward Pesce returned to the army so that he could serve his country overseas. He wanted to be deployed as he was one of few that had served for the amount of time that he did without being deployed. Mr. Pesce was sent to Kuwait, Afghanistan, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

During his time overseas, Colonel Pesce met several memorable people such as a Kuwaiti man that befriended him. He learned cultural values from the various countries that helped to widen his view of other countries.

When the day came, Mr. Pesce was excited and grateful to finally go home and see his family. He gradually resumed his civil business as a professional engineer and continues to help improve our country through volunteering and several veterans groups. In December of 2016, Ed Pesce was in Korea with a group to try and help his country. Although Lieutenant Colonel Edward Pesce never lay witness to any direct combat, his role behind the scenes was crucial.