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Colleen Delery, a 1984 graduate of Mississinawa Valley and a retired
Air Force veteran returned home this week to
serve in a different
capacity. After serving her country, Tuesday, Delery was prepping and
serving food at the
tent in the infield at the annual tractor pulling
event. A Singer by birth, Delery was at the Great
Darke County Fair for
the first time in 30 years. CNO Photos By George Starks
Delery comes
home to help family serve
MV grad serves in a different capacity
By George Starks
GREENVILLE- A 1984 graduate of Mississinawa Valley, Colleen (Singer)
Delery served just over 20 years in the United States Air Force in
service to her country.
Following in the footsteps of her dad (Marines) and her grandfather
(Navy) Delery carried on the tradition of her family in the military.
“Ironically, we all spent time in Okinawa during our time in our
respective branches,” said Delery.
For many years, the Singer Family has provided a hog for the workers at
the pulls at the fair with the elder statesman, Carolyn, leading the
way.
Now with Carolyn unable to continue, the next generation of the family
has taken the reigns and Delery has decided to join them.
Tuesday, Delery returned to the Darke County Fair to help serve in a
different capacity.
To serve food to the workers at the annual truck and tractor pulls
between sessions.
“This is my first time to the fair for me in 30 years,” said Delery. “I
came back here to do this because of family. I’m at a transitioning
point in my life now. I’m an empty nester and a full time volunteer
(Habitat for Humanity in Florida). I’m a full time mom and grandma and
a full time volunteer and now I came home to volunteer to help the
family. I enjoy helping others.”
After 30 years of being away, the fair is still the fair and Delery
loves it.
“This fair is awesome and I’ve missed it,” admitted Delery. “I’ve been
to many different kinds of fairs throughout the world but there’s just
something about the Darke County Fair that make it special. You just
want to comeback, enjoy the animals and the food”
Even though Delery is enjoying her hometown fair, it’s all about
service.
“I enjoy serving,” said Delery. “We all have a special gift in life and
mine is to serve others. It can be very hard work but it’s very
rewarding also.”
So what the difference in serving the country and serving the family?
For Delery, it starts somewhere else.
“First and foremost, I serve the Lord,” said Delery. “That’s where it
all begins and ends every day. I spent a huge part of my life in
service to my country but you family, is different. They are always a
part of your life. These people out here that are working are a part of
my family.
“The Lord has shown me what it means to have and not have,” Delrey
continued. “He has shown me what it means to serve others and if we all
served in one way or another, we would be so selfish because there
would be no place for it and we wouldn’t have time for it. God has been
with me every step of the way in my life and it’s because of him that
I’m doing this today.”
Coming back to the fair after 30 years, Delery was allowed to get back
to her roots but one thing is for certain.
“You can take the girl out of the country but you can’t take the
country out of the girl.”
Oh how true!
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