WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) - A Wichita veteran's service extended beyond his own, continuing in the legacy of his efforts to help other service members prepare for deployments.

Wichita native Kirk Gibson was still in high school when he made the commitment to join the Army National Guard.

"I checked out the armory, the South Seneca armory and I joined. But my mom had to sign a waiver because I was under 18," Gibson said.

He served as an infantryman doing his weekend drills at Fort Riley. His first sergeant became his inspiration to lead.

"So I kind of watched him and saw the respect he got and how he kept the company together, and I just told myself, 'That's who I want to be,'" Gibson said.

He later became a first sergeant, and his commitment to learning kept him in the guard for more than

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