Executive Summary
Veterans Day gives us an opportunity to recognize the men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces and to listen to the experiences they carry with them.
At Joyce Windows, Sunrooms & Baths, we are proud to recognize five members of our team:
- Bob Fanell, U.S. Army
- Cole Bernard, U.S. Navy
- Paul Rondeau, U.S. Army
- Travis Britt, U.S. Navy
- Randy Stillings, U.S. Army
Their service spanned more than three decades and included assignments aboard aircraft carriers, aviation-fueling operations, safety leadership, and overseas service in Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world.
Their experiences are different, but several common lessons appear throughout their stories: discipline, teamwork, perspective, empathy, responsibility, and pride in serving others.
This Veterans Day—and throughout the year—we thank them and all veterans for their service.
Meet the Veterans on the Joyce Team
| Joyce Team Member | Military Branch | Years of Service | Selected Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Fanell | U.S. Army | 1990–1995 | Served during the Desert Storm era and developed lasting teamwork and life skills |
| Cole Bernard | U.S. Navy | 2012–2020 | Aircraft-fueling operations aboard the USS Carl Vinson and safety leadership for helicopter squadrons |
| Paul Rondeau | U.S. Army | 2015–2023 | Eight years of service and travel that strengthened his patience, empathy, and understanding of others |
| Travis Britt | U.S. Navy | 1992–1994 | Aviation-fueling work aboard the USS Saratoga |
| Randy Stillings | U.S. Army | 1975–1997 | Twenty-two years of service, including assignments in Germany and South Korea |
Bob Fanell — U.S. Army, 1990–1995
Bob Fanell entered the Army about a year after graduating from high school.
College was not financially realistic for his family at the time, and military service offered an opportunity to pursue something larger, experience new places, and build a future.
Bob served from 1990 through 1995 during the Desert Storm era.
Looking back, he credits the Army with teaching him practical skills and showing him how to work effectively as part of a team. His service also gave him a broader understanding of life and the importance of depending on the people around him.
Bob remains proud of his decision to serve and says he would make that choice again.
What Bob’s story shows
Military service can create opportunities that extend well beyond a person’s time in uniform. Bob’s experience reflects the importance of teamwork, shared responsibility, and learning through challenges.
Cole Bernard — U.S. Navy, 2012–2020
For Cole Bernard, military service was connected to family history.
His father and grandfather had both served in the Navy, and Cole chose to continue that tradition.
From 2012 through 2017, Cole worked on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson. His responsibilities centered on aviation-fueling operations, including fueling aircraft and helping keep the ship’s fueling systems operational.
Flight-deck work requires coordination, focus, communication, and close attention to established procedures. Each person has a role in maintaining a safe environment while supporting complex aircraft operations.
From 2017 through 2020, Cole served as a safety program manager supporting 13 anti-submarine-warfare helicopter squadrons throughout the Pacific.
His overseas service also changed the way he viewed daily life in the United States. Seeing how people lived in other parts of the world gave him a lasting appreciation for the freedoms and opportunities that can be easy to overlook.
What Cole’s story shows
Cole’s experience connects family tradition with service, technical responsibility, and safety leadership. It also demonstrates how time overseas can give a person a wider perspective on home and community.
Paul Rondeau — U.S. Army, 2015–2023
Paul Rondeau dreamed of serving from childhood.
He looked up to relatives who had joined the military and saw service as an opportunity to challenge himself, travel, and test his courage.
Paul served in the Army from 2015 through 2023. During those eight years, he traveled to numerous states and countries and met people from many different cultures and backgrounds.
His experiences included visiting churches, mosques, monasteries, and temples. He shared meals and conversations with government officials as well as people living very different everyday lives.
Those encounters taught him patience, kindness, and empathy.
Paul describes military service as a defining part of his life. The experience helped shape the person he became and continues to influence the calm, lighthearted perspective he tries to bring to civilian life.
What Paul’s story shows
Paul’s story demonstrates that service can involve more than physical courage or technical training. It can also develop curiosity, compassion, and a deeper understanding of people whose experiences are different from our own.
Travis Britt — U.S. Navy, 1992–1994
Travis Britt completed basic training in Orlando, Florida, before reporting to the USS Saratoga, based in Mayport, Florida.
He served in the ship’s aviation-fueling division through the Airman Apprenticeship Program.
Travis remembers the experience of working near fighter aircraft as they landed and took off from the flight deck. He was proud to be part of the larger team supporting those operations.
One of his strongest memories came shortly after boot camp, when he flew out to meet the ship while it was already underway.
Although he understood that an aircraft carrier was large, he did not fully appreciate the ship’s scale until the Saratoga returned to port three months later.
Travis served for two years, but he considers the discipline and life experience he gained in the Navy to be a foundation for every job he has held since.
What Travis’s story shows
The length of a person’s service does not determine its significance. Travis’s two years in the Navy provided discipline, responsibility, and a lasting understanding of how individual work supports a much larger team.
Randy Stillings — U.S. Army, 1975–1997
Randy Stillings joined the Army in 1975.
At the time, the country was experiencing a difficult economy, and stable work was hard to find. Military service offered a way to provide for his family.
What began as a practical decision became a 22-year career.
During the Cold War, Randy served in Germany and South Korea. Those assignments gave him a direct view of geopolitical tensions and reinforced his appreciation for the freedoms he was serving to protect.
The Army also helped Randy develop a wide range of lasting skills, including:
- Discipline
- Teamwork
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving
- Public speaking
- Leadership
- Training and developing others
Randy found that military life suited his strengths and gave him opportunities to grow personally and professionally.
What Randy’s story shows
Randy’s career demonstrates how service can begin with the need to support a family and develop into a long-term commitment. His experience also shows how leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills developed in the military can continue to matter in civilian work.
The Lessons Our Veterans Carry Forward
Every veteran’s experience is personal.
Bob, Cole, Paul, Travis, and Randy served during different periods, held different responsibilities, and entered the military for different reasons.
Still, their stories share several themes.
Teamwork
Military operations depend on people completing their responsibilities while also supporting one another.
Bob learned how to work effectively as a teammate. Cole and Travis worked in aviation environments where coordination and attention to procedure were essential. Randy developed leadership and training skills over a 22-year career.
That understanding of teamwork continues after military service ends.
Discipline and Attention to Detail
The military teaches people to prepare carefully, follow procedures, and remain focused when the work is difficult or the stakes are high.
Those habits can carry into civilian careers, family responsibilities, and community involvement.
Travis views the discipline gained during his Navy service as a foundation for the jobs that followed. Randy also identifies discipline and attention to detail among the lasting skills he developed in the Army.
Perspective
Service can place people in unfamiliar environments and introduce them to communities they might never otherwise encounter.
Cole’s time overseas strengthened his appreciation for life in the United States. Paul’s travels and conversations with people from many cultures deepened his patience and empathy.
Their experiences are reminders that perspective often grows when we take time to listen and understand how others live.
Leadership
Leadership is not limited to rank or job title.
It can mean protecting the safety of others, completing an assigned responsibility, training a teammate, staying calm under pressure, or setting an example through consistent work.
Cole’s safety responsibilities and Randy’s leadership and training experience are direct examples. Each of the five veterans also describes lessons that continue to shape how they approach work and life.
Service
Military service requires a commitment to something larger than one person.
That commitment does not necessarily disappear when someone leaves active duty. It can continue through work, family life, mentorship, community involvement, and support for fellow veterans.
At Joyce, we are grateful for the perspective and experience our veteran employees bring to the team.
What Is Veterans Day?
Veterans Day is observed each year on November 11 to honor people who served in the United States Armed Forces.
The date traces back to the armistice that ended major fighting in World War I on November 11, 1918.
President Woodrow Wilson commemorated the first Armistice Day in 1919. Congress made November 11 a legal holiday in 1938, initially recognizing veterans of World War I.
Following World War II and the Korean War, the observance was expanded. In 1954, legislation changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day so the holiday would recognize American veterans of all wars.
The observance was temporarily moved to October under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. It returned to November 11 beginning in 1978.
Veterans Day and Memorial Day Are Different Observances
Veterans Day recognizes everyone who served in the United States Armed Forces.
Memorial Day is dedicated to remembering members of the military who died while serving the country.
Both observances deserve respect, but they have different purposes.
Understanding that distinction helps people recognize veterans appropriately and preserve the meaning of each day.
How Can You Respectfully Thank a Veteran?
There is no single phrase or action that will feel right to every veteran.
A simple, sincere acknowledgment is usually appropriate.
You might:
- Thank the person for serving.
- Ask whether they are comfortable sharing something about their experience.
- Listen without pressing for personal or painful details.
- Recognize military spouses and family members who also made sacrifices.
- Support reputable organizations serving veterans and military families.
- Learn the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
- Respect that some veterans prefer private recognition.
The most important step is to treat the person as an individual rather than making assumptions about what they experienced or how they feel about their service.
Honoring Veterans Beyond November 11
A Veterans Day article should not be the only time an organization recognizes the people who served.
Meaningful year-round recognition may include:
- Creating a workplace where veterans’ skills are understood and valued
- Encouraging veterans to share their experiences when they choose
- Recognizing military service without defining someone only by that service
- Supporting employee growth and leadership
- Making career opportunities easy to find
- Listening to veterans and military families in the community
Joyce’s veterans bring experience in teamwork, aviation operations, safety, leadership, training, discipline, and communication. Their military backgrounds are part of their stories, but each person also contributes individual skills and perspectives to the company.
About Joyce Windows, Sunrooms & Baths
Joyce Windows, Sunrooms & Baths is a third-generation, family-owned home improvement company founded in 1955 and headquartered in Berea, Ohio.
Joyce serves homeowners in supported areas of Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and South Carolina with replacement windows, sunrooms, baths and showers, entry and patio doors, and other services where available.
The company’s history is built on the work of many individuals, including employees who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Explore Joyce’s history, family ownership, services, locations, and commitment to helping homeowners make confident remodeling decisions.
View current opportunities and learn more about working with a team that values growth, collaboration, learning, and individual experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Joyce employees are recognized in this Veterans Day article?
The article recognizes Bob Fanell, Cole Bernard, Paul Rondeau, Travis Britt, and Randy Stillings.
Which military branches did they serve in?
Bob Fanell, Paul Rondeau, and Randy Stillings served in the U.S. Army. Cole Bernard and Travis Britt served in the U.S. Navy.
When is Veterans Day observed?
Veterans Day is officially observed on November 11 each year.
Why is Veterans Day on November 11?
The date commemorates the armistice that ended major fighting in World War I on November 11, 1918.
Is Veterans Day the same as Memorial Day?
No. Veterans Day recognizes everyone who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Memorial Day remembers military personnel who died while serving.
Was Veterans Day originally called Armistice Day?
Yes. The observance began as Armistice Day and was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to recognize American veterans of all wars.
How should I thank a veteran?
A brief and sincere expression of appreciation is appropriate. Follow the veteran’s lead if they choose to discuss their experience, and avoid asking intrusive questions.
Does Joyce hire veterans?
Joyce publishes current employment opportunities on its careers page. Add a specific statement about veteran recruiting or a veteran-hiring program only if Joyce has a documented policy or program supporting that claim.
Thank You to Everyone Who Served
To Bob Fanell, Cole Bernard, Paul Rondeau, Travis Britt, and Randy Stillings, thank you for sharing your experiences and for the service you gave to our country.
To veterans throughout our communities—and to the families who supported them—thank you.
Your experiences remind us of the lasting importance of teamwork, responsibility, discipline, empathy, leadership, and service.
At Joyce, we are proud to recognize the veterans on our team on Veterans Day and throughout the year.
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