Veteran of the Month: Joe Petro reflects on service, community and the value of hard work

Joe Petro joined the Air Force in 1968 because, “That was the thing to do back then.” He was nominated Veteran of the Month by a resident of Harrison County. 

Petro traveled around the United States and Germany before returning home to Pittsburgh.

“I was at Langley in Virginia,” Petro said. “They did a lot of temporary duty assignments. Could be 90 days, could be 120. You had a squadron, and they would send so many people in different directions and then they rotated. That was my only exit out of the States.”

Wherever he went, he worked in aircraft maintenance. “They put you where you’re going to perform and get the most out of you,” he said.

He served four years, attaining the rank of sergeant before returning home. He said he looked around and realized a lot had changed in a few years.

“A lot of people were gone and things—not everything—but half of the world changed. That’s just the way it is,” he said. “Not that it was bad. I really enjoyed myself when I got back.”

He worked at U.S. Steel, met and married his wife, Barbara, and had a son.

“My wife is originally from Powhatan,” Petro said. “There was an opportunity [in Harrison County] for work, so I came here, and that lasted about 11 years. Then I wound up back in Pittsburgh. Just another change of direction.”

Petro said he’s fortunate for the choices he’s made that led him to retire at age 62 and later settle in New Athens.

When he bought his house in the county, he got involved in the community, joining the village council. The mayor at the time said he was ready to spend more time with his children who lived out of state. When he left, Petro, as president, was appointed mayor. He was elected in 2018 and then re-elected after his first term. He said he has every intention of continuing as mayor for as long as the village will have him.

He is an active member of the Adena American Legion and serves as commander of the St. Clairsville VFW.

Petro lives by his values, believing hard work pays off and that people should take advantage of opportunities in life. His time in the military taught him many lessons.

“I think it made you realize how good we have it in this country as opposed to other places in the world,” he said. “You get training in a lot of different aspects of life, so it helps you as you go along. All those things stay with you. The more you know, the better off you are.”

He encourages young people to join the military.

“It’s a good experience, it’s a learning experience,” he said. “In many instances, you’ll learn things you wouldn’t in normal life. That’s something that will always be with you—you’ll never forget.”