Face of Defense: Soldier Returns to Service After Two-Decade Break

In a room lit only by sunlight streaming in, a soldier bites through the plastic wrapper of a package of pencils. With children waiting excitedly in the adjoining rooms, there is not time to waste pulling out a knife. ...

After separating from the Army in 1986, Wilkerson, a Las Vegas native, said he missed being in the military, and that during his break in service he carried on the values of discipline and upholding standards that he had learned during his first enlistment. Wilkerson decided to re-enlist after the Army raised its maximum enlistment age to 42 [he's 43].

“I’ve got a 21-year-old son, and there are kids (serving) who are younger than him,” he said. “I’m still in shape and capable of doing a good job. Maybe my service will mean that another young guy his age will be able to return to his family.”

In the long run, Wilkerson said, he plans to serve his country until retirement. Meanwhile, back in the Bayrk schoolhouse, smiling children swarm around Wilkerson and his fellow soldiers as they pass out school supplies and stuffed animals. The “Old Man” returns the children’s smiles with one of his own.

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