OCALA, FL (352today.com) – For over two decades, Jeffrey Askew proudly served in the United States Navy, an adventure that eventually led him to Marion County. Recently, Askew, the county’s respected director of veteran services, announced his retirement at the Marion County Board of County Commissioners meeting on March 4, with his last day set for March 14, 2025. He was honored with a plaque recognizing his dedicated service to the community.

Askew’s inspiration to join the Navy came from his uncle, a World War II Navy veteran whose compelling stories fascinated him as a child. Initially, Askew enlisted seeking adventure and travel.

“Initially I joined the Navy to fly aircraft. I had a heart murmur, so I couldn’t do that,” said Askew. “I joined the Navy because I liked swimming, and I like to fish. They said, ‘you can swim all the time, and fish all over the world.’ I said, ‘sign me up.'”

Askew’s unique Navy journey began in San Diego, providing extraordinary experiences worldwide. He was transferred to Lakehurst, N.J., then Pensacola, Fla., and eventually stationed in the Philippines.

“I had a chance to go to Thailand, Australia, Hong Kong and Japan,” said Askew. “I had a good opportunity. When I lived in San Diego, I lived in North Island (Naval Air Station) San Diego. I could look over the hill from my apartment and see Tiajuana and people coming across the border, helicopters flying and this was in the late 1970s.”

He spent half of his naval career in Virginia Beach, known as the Tidewater area.

“I had the chance to get on a couple of ships, three different aircraft carriers—Coral Sea, Lexington, and Eisenhower,” Askew shared humorously. “I say to everybody, don’t get on anything nuclear. A nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the only reason I say that, is because they never have to refuel. They can stay at sea forever and ever.”

Askew’s service also brought him to Sicily, Maine, Norway, Newfoundland, Germany, Switzerland, and Israel. However, his last Navy assignment was in the Ocala National Forest, where he was an operations officer.

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“I had 32 sailors working with me. We worked with about 40 different squadrons, different types of aircraft,” said Askew. “We trained special forces, simulated hostage rescues; we did rope propel from helicopters and they did strafing runs. I retired in 1999, and I decided to stay here.”

After retirement, Askew initially intended to fish, but after six months, he sought more meaningful engagement.

“I was new here, and I didn’t know anyone here,” said Askew. “The people who we went to church with, they were older people; they were afraid to go out on a boat because they were afraid of alligators and snakes. The younger people, they worked. I decided I had to do something.”

He soon applied for a position with Marion County, transitioning seamlessly into civilian life.

“I started a job as a human resources specialist,” said Askew. “I did the recruitment side of the house. I said, I’m going to sign up for that because I was a recruiter at one point. I was a career counselor, and I know how to interact with people. So, I came and signed up for that job, and I got it.”

After two years, he transitioned to veterans’ services, a role he excelled in for over 22 years.

“I did the Florida Retirement as part of my human resources specialist job,” said Askew. “My job was to help people with their Florida Retirement papers. I would go around to the different departments where people were retiring. This guy, he was retiring, and he was telling me about the job. I didn’t know anything about the VA until I talked to him. He said, ‘I think you’d be really good for this job because you interact really well with people.’ He said, ‘I’m going to be leaving here in about six months, and I’m going to talk to the assistant county administrator,’ who was Mr. Smith at that time. He said, ‘I’m going to talk to him and see if I can get you over here.’ I paid no attention, you know, because that wasn’t what I was looking for. When he got ready to leave, he did recommend me, and I interviewed, and I got the job – and the rest is history.”

During his tenure, Askew achieved significant milestones, including establishing a satellite office at the VA Clinic on SR 200.

“That way, those individuals that live in that corridor don’t have to drive all the way over here across town,” said Askew. “Elderly people, they don’t want to deal with all that traffic. I think that was good – and moving into the new building where we are now, the Veterans Resource Center, I think that was nice too.”

In his role, Askew built connections with numerous local veterans’ organizations

“There are a lot of veterans’ groups here, from the American Legion to the DAV, VFW, the Military Officers’ Association and the different gated community associations,” said Askew. “I got a chance to know all those people “

Askew, whose father served 30 years in the Army, feels deeply connected to veterans’ families, especially widows.

“My father was in the military for 30 years; he was in the Army,” said Askew. “He tried to get me and my brother to join the Army. He was in Korea and Vietnam. He told me the stories. I said, ‘I don’t want to be on the ground or in the woods.’ The most significant thing is to be able to interact with widows and make sure they have their benefits, because I have a mother.”

In retirement, Askew plans extensive travel abroad, reconnecting with international friends, and exploring iconic U.S. destinations.

“I’d like to see Mt. Rushmore, and I always wanted to go there in person, and I always wanted to drive my truck through those big Samoan trees—trees as big as houses. I want to go see that in person,” said Askew. “They say those trees have been around 2,000 years or more.”

Askew also intends to deepen his involvement with his church, Gospel Fellowship, particularly its food ministry.

“I’m going to be more involved with the church,” Askew says. “They have a food ministry there. I’m going to give out food to people twice a week, the Gospel Fellowship. I’ll get more involved with the church; that will be meaningful for me.”

After nearly half a century in government service, Askew plans to prioritize family, faith, and health. His interactions with World War II and Korean War veterans at the Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park taught him the secret to longevity.

“They said, ‘Always have a reason to get up in the morning, if it’s no more than getting up to drink a cup of coffee and read the newspaper,'” said Askew. “Have a reason to get up; just don’t lay there, because you’ll deteriorate mentally and physically. Always have something to do. That stayed with me: have a purpose in life.”

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