GLASGOW — Billy Furlong has lived in Barren County his entire life, except for the three years he spent in the military.
Furlong is a Vietnam veteran.
He describes his time in Vietnam as being “different.”
“I filled my patriotic duty then and I’m filling my patriotic duty now,” he said, as he sat beneath a shade tree in front of the Barren County Courthouse. Furlong was just returning to the courthouse from lunch. He had jury duty last week.
In Vietnam, he worked as an engineer, building bridges and roads.
“I did different things for different units,” he said.
Furlong admits he doesn’t talk about his time in Vietnam very much.
“It was something I did for my country. If I’d done it for myself, I’d never done it,” he said.
He has both good memories and bad memories about the time he spent in Vietnam.
Furlong has not kept up with his fellow soldiers over the years, something he now wishes he had done. He admitted he had forgotten a lot of their names.
“That’s been 30 some years ago,” he said.
Furlong said he has a tremendous amount of respect for men and women who are in the armed forces.
“I hope this conflict we’re in now doesn’t turn into another Vietnam,” he said.
When Furlong returned to Barren County from Vietnam he went to work for Kenneth Motley’s trucking company.
“He was one of the best men I ever knew,” he said of his former boss.
After working for Motley for a while, Furlong switched jobs and went to work for RR Donnelley and Son. He has been with the company for 29 years and works in the shipping department.
“I have one of the better crews that work at Donnelleys,” he said. “I’m proud of my people.”
He recommended one employee for a Presidential Citation this year.
“He does things that other hoist operators won’t do,” Furlong said. “He can fill in for my spot or do whatever they need him to do.”
When Furlong isn’t working, he’s spending quality time with his grandson, 2-year-old Jackson Lance Taylor.
“I babysit him one or two days a week, whenever they’ll let me,” he said. “He’s well-mannered and does what Papa asks him to do.”
Furlong has only one grandchild and one daughter, Tonya Renee Furlong.
Furlong has been married twice. In addition to his daughter from his first marriage, he has a stepson, Andrew Guffey, who is a student at Western Kentucky University.
One thing he says he would like to pass on to couples who may be going through a divorce, and that’s to always be friends. He and his first wife remained friends after their divorce, he said.
“I’m proud of my family. They’ve all been saved. They are all good people,” he said.
Furlong jokingly said he doubts he will ever really retire, because his wife has a honey-do list so long he’ll never be able to complete it.
On a more serious note, he said, “I enjoy working and I can’t get out in the sun and work. I enjoy where I’m at.”
Features
Related Photos
-
GINA KINSLOW
Discussion
Vietnam veteran shares memories
WHAT'S YOUR STORY?
- Features
-
-
VIDEO: 'Ring of fire' solar eclipse
The solar eclipse that took place Sunday evening was an annular eclipse, one in which the moon blocks almost all of the sun. Some of the best viewing was in Asia, as with this video filmed in Japan.
-
Comedian Lee Cruse to perform Saturday at Plaza
When Lee Cruse isn’t working doing the morning and mid-day programs for NBC affiliate LEX18 in Lexington, he is on a stage somewhere making people laugh.
-
Viral video: Zoo lion goes crazy over zebra-striped baby
A baby boy wearing black and white stripes -- like a zebra -- looked awfully tempting to a lioness at the zoo in Portland, Ore. this week. His parents captured video of the big cat pawing at her glass cage, trying to eat him.
-
Series books popular with younger readers
Books in series have typically been adults’ favorites for many years, but now they are becoming a favorite among younger generations.
-
Viral video: Tornado touches down on sunny day
Storm chasers frequently capture video of tornadoes touching down in dark, stormy weather. But this video of a bizarre tornado in the French town of Toulouse was captured amid sunny, blue skies.
-
Viral video: Family sings 'Bohemian Rhapsody' on way to school
One dad starts the weekdays off right by staging a sing-along to Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" with his three kids during their morning ride to school.
-
Viral video: Bears interrupt weather report at Pa. TV station
A mama bear and three of her cubs were caught on camera at a northeastern Pennsylvania television station seconds before a live weather report was about to begin.
-
It happened on an island: GHS’ new production
For a crowd of high school students, a musical about embracing differences is something they can relate to.
-
Ready for the big time
Tristan Arnett has high hopes of playing the Grand Ole Opry one day.
-
WEB ONLY REPORT: Crowd greets 'The Hunger Games' in Glasgow
- More Features Headlines
-
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
