Sergeant E5 Ray Helms, 36, is Findlay Living Magazine's October Soldier of the Month.   A 1990 graduate of Seneca East High School, Ray began Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia less than a week after graduating.

After Georgia, Helms started active duty with the 3rd Armor Division in Germany working with heavy mortar. He went on to serve in the Gulf War, after which he returned to Germany.  From there, he did a Permanent Change of Station to Fort Steward, Georgia with the 24th Infantry Division.  "PCS-ing" again to the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea, he then returned back to Georgia to change over to the 3rd again.  

A bad right shoulder caused him to leave active service in 1997.  For nine years, he tried to return and finally was able to join the National Guard, Unit Headquarters Company 1st of the 148th Infantry.  Earlier this year, Helms volunteered with Bravo Company out of Bowling Green to go Iraq. 

Leaving for Fort Dix New Jersey on his birthday this past June for four months of training, his goal was short-lived when he broke his ankle, among other injuries during train-up, and required knee surgery. 

Helms admits to being frustrated, but is patiently healing while waiting to return to duty.   In the mean time, his brother Thomas, 26, a graduate of Van Buren High School, is serving with the same Bravo Company out of Bowling Green.

In his civilian job, Helms works for Jenco in Findlay.  He expressed appreciation for the United States Armed Forces, especially Ohio's National Guard, and says that it's a "Great experience that gives you a real-world opportunities and great careers.  The National Guard of Ohio in itself offers one of the best educational programs in the nation"