Kathy Campbell applied to the Air Force Academy in 1976 knowing full well she would not be accepted. Women were not allowed. But her father, a military man himself, urged her to do it anyway.

He knew the defense authorization bill was moving through the legislature with a rider on it that would allow women into the academy.

At first, she received a form letter saying that women were not allowed in the Academy, but the following year, the bill passed. She was among the first six women chosen to attend.

The physical endurance requirements were just as difficult as the academic requirements. But unlike when women first attended The Citadel, plans were in place to accommodate them.

In the meantime, her future husband Don — whom she married in 1982 — was working his way through college. His father told him he could go to any college he wanted to, but the only school he was going to pay for his son to attend was The Citadel. So that's where he graduated from.

The couple met at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Don's Citadel roommate wanted to meet the new female lieutenants from the Air Force Academy, and since that first meeting, despite both of their lifelong military careers, the couple has only been separated a few times.

For Kathy, attending the Air Force Academy was not what she expected.

"No one can prepare you for that kind of experience, but it was great, and being in the military shapes you into a different person. You learn a lot about yourself and being on a team," she said. Her dream was to at least retire as a lieutenant colonel like her dad, and she was fortunate enough to earn the rank of full colonel.

She went on to work in the cost analysis and business administration side of the Air Force, where she helped plan for future advanced weapon systems. The couple later lived in the D.C area, where she became a full-time reservist.

As a member of the Air Force Reserve staff in the Pentagon, she worked on issues that went before Congress. One day as she worked in her fifth floor office, America changed forever. A plane crashed into the Pentagon directly across from where she sat. It is, of course, a day she will never forget.

After her retirement, the couple moved to Mount Pleasant, where Don grew up. Kathy has since received her master's degree in computer science and worked as a network security analyst.

Don also achieved the rank of colonel, having been promoted early in his career.

"I worked for fantastic generals and officers developing weapons systems under President Ronald Reagan," he said. "He began a big buildup of our defense capabilities, and I worked on weapons systems such as friend or foe radar and developing the Milstar Nuclear Command and Control, satellite systems and air defense systems."

He worked in the National Reconnaissance Office which at the time was classified and unheard of among the American public. He eventually went on to manage a very large computer system at the NSA and then was selected to serve as professional staff for the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee. There he worked with Congressmen to build and justify annual budgets for the CIA and NSA.

After 20 years in Washington, it was time to retire to the Lowcountry.

"There is a long tradition with the military in the south. I've never lived in an area more welcoming of that kind of service. The people here are always honoring the military and servicemen and soldiers," said Don.

Kathy is glad to be settled. She's lived all over the country, and for now, Mount Pleasant is home.

"I miss the people but not the traffic. I grew up in the military, so wherever you are is home."

Kathy still keeps in touch with the women from her graduating class at the Air Force Academy. "It's unlike any other graduating class because we were the first group of females. It's remarkable to be part of that group, and I am humbled by the rest of them," she said.

Her advice to young men and women considering the military: "Be appreciative of those before you and find a way you too can serve your country for the youth coming behind you."

Don is in real estate now and is just as dedicated to that career as he was being the head of acquisitions for the whole Air Force.

"Our country is the strongest in the world because we are leaders in the military and the economy," said Don. "We continue to need the best minds to enter into the military so we can remain number one. We need that advanced brain power to develop the systems necessary so we don't have to have World War III. We have to remain strong enough so that no one will ever challenge us."

Unless there is a draft, there is no American obligation to join the military. Don however feels it would be beneficial to create a two-year volunteer obligation.

"Serving in the military or some national service would help mature our next generation of leaders. Take for example the Greatest Generation — our father's generation, that did so much to ensure our freedom.  We need the next generation to follow in the foot steps that have come before them so they can base their life on that kind of selflessness," said Don.

Kathy agreed. "We were privileged to have served a career in the military. It is now up to the next generation to focus on what's important and be the best people they can be for themselves and their country."

(Sponsored by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Funeral Chapels & Crematory).