The lights of the White House ballroom shimmer across the polished floor as Vince Nash brushes shoulders with a mix of tuxedos, gowns, and royalty. Just a few short years after crossing the stage with the Class of 1975, he glances around a dance floor, stunned by where life has taken him. To his left, John Travolta. To his right, Princess Diana.
(Pictured above, Princess Diana dances with John Travolta at a White House party. Nash and his dance partner are standing in the back right with hands crossed)
For Nash, this journey across the globe began not in Washington or at sea, but in the band room at Maine-Endwell High School.
"My favorite teacher was Mr. Sam Cifonelli the music teacher. He was tough, and there were students who didn't like him. But he knew his stuff, knew how to get the best out of us, and taught life lessons that are still applicable. Ask anyone he taught the first thing that comes to mind when you mention his name. I 100% guarantee it will be ‘To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late.’ That was his mantra,” said Nash.
It's a mantra that followed him all the way to the Navy, not long after graduating with a Business Administration degree from Broome Community College and an Operations Management degree at Boston College. So how does this 1975 grad go from college graduate to Navy serviceman?
“The short honest answer is that I needed a job. Even though I graduated cum laude from an excellent school, good jobs were hard to come by. I was working as an overnight security guard at the old Vail-Ballou Press in Kirkwood when I saw an ad in the paper for Navy Supply Corps officers. Considering that I had a business degree, being a logistician in the Navy seemed like a perfect fit. Plus, I always thought that Navy uniforms were the coolest,” said Nash.
That decision would lead to a career full of adventure and responsibility - from being a 22-year-old Disbursing officer responsible for the paying of 5,000 sailers and marines every two weeks, to serving as a financial manager for a $3 billion missile program.
“I absolutely loved being in the Navy. The exposure to people and cultures from all over the world is one of the best ways to overcome ‘American exceptionalism’ and see that there are many different ways to solve problems, resolve disagreements and advance humanity.”
Eventually, Nash’s work brought him to places few ever see – inside the walls of the White House, and the presidential retreat at Camp David.
“Once you get over the shock of being at either place, it becomes a matter of pride to ensure you do everything perfectly. Particularly at the White House where I was one of ten junior Navy officers representing the Navy in public and private ceremonies, meetings, state dinners, and any other number of events. Our uniforms had to be perfect. I don't want to guess how many pairs of shoes I went through because I scuffed the top of one or the other,” said Nash.
At Camp David, serving as a department head, his responsibilities stretched from food service preparation to overseeing procurement of everyday items, as well as procuring specialized presidential items that were given to distinguished visitors.
“It's literally the only place that the President can freely walk outside his front door. An interesting side note is that when the president was at the facility, all crew members were instructed to avoid interacting with the President, First Lady or distinguished visitors. If we saw the Secret Service agents heading in our direction, we were instructed to go the other way simply because it meant the President was nearby and were to give him his privacy. There's nothing nefarious about this requirement - it's that everything possible is done to allow the President to relax and be him or herself. I was always amazed that I could drive up to a set of double massive gates and the Marines would allow me to drive through the first one. They would then close the first gate, inspect my car and then open the second gate for me,” said Nash.
Nash would serve nine years active duty, and 11 years in the reserves, retiring with the rank of Commander. His duty stations took him all over the world, from the USS Nimitz in Norfolk, VA, to Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm. It was during his time in the reserves that he’d meet his wife. Years later, after getting married and serving his own home country, Nash built a second career with our neighbors to the north.
He and his wife would later call Canada home, where Nash spent 18 years with an ultra-precision manufacturing firm in Ontario. That led to his work with the Ontario Government, spending time at an Agency that helped farmers manage risk and strengthen operations.
“Essentially the agency was an insurance company for farmers. When I started working in the agricultural sector, I was shocked to see how smart farmers actually are and the amount of science and technology involved in every aspect of farming,” said Nash.
He admitted the experience taught him humility.
“I felt so bad about my teenage attitude that I actually apologized to some of my farmer coworkers on behalf of all the things I said nearly 50 years ago,” said Nash.
Through it all, Nash never forgot the foundation that Maine-Endwell gave him, connecting it all back to his educators.
“In reflecting on my time at M-E, I can't help but believe that the teachers did a wonderful job in encouraging me to think, be curious and never stop learning. For example, Miss Lewis was my social studies teacher at the junior high. I recall very clearly her reading me the riot act when I submitted a homework assignment where I simply wrote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on all the questions. Trust me that ever since that day, I always gave complete answers to every question in junior high, senior high, college and throughout my professional career! Talk about being scared straight!”
Nash also credits M-E with helping him develop empathy and a sense of service that still guides him today.
“Endwell was (and I assume still is) a comfortable community with plenty of middle and upper middle-class opportunities. Now that I'm retired, I volunteer six days a week helping to feed children in the lowest income part of Guelph, deliver Meals on Wheels, and drive for the Canadian Cancer Society,” said Nash.
His advice for current students, especially those considering military service is as honest as it is heartfelt.
“If you're truly interested in serving, make sure you do it for the right reason. There are nearly unlimited opportunities in every aspect of life if you go in with the right mindset. But at the end of the day, you are there ‘.to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic’ and this can include giving up your life. (Not trying to be melodramatic, just honest.) Join because you believe in what the United States has historically stood for. And at least in my case, you'll have the time of your life,” said Nash.
From the Navy decks to the White House floor, Commander Vince Nash carried Maine-Endwell’s lessons of discipline, empathy, and excellence everywhere he went - proof that sometimes the most powerful life lessons come not from a commander, but that one special teacher in your life. We thank Mr. Nash and all veterans for their service.
(Pictured above, Vince Nash today)
In preparation of this Alumni Spotlight, Mr. Nash also sent along his report cards from Homer Brink, circa 1960s:
