By Alan Suderman
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Col. Bob Bullock has flown combat missions in two wars—and he’s not slowing down. Bullock recently started a new job as a newspaperman for Highland Springs’ very own resident-run newsletter, The Voices of Highland Springs.

The retired air force colonel has a regular feature called “Bob Bullock’s Bullets,” where he offers advice for new residents and shoots off his ideas about happenings on campus. He says he especially likes to interview staff members who aren’t always at the center of attention.

Though he’s never written for something like The Voices before, Bullock’s career path is suited for someone who likes challenges.

Bullock joined the Air Force in 1951 and was soon flying nighttime combat missions in a Douglas B-26 during the Korean War. Nearly ten years later, he was flying support missions for special forces troops in Vietnam.

After retiring from the air force and his ensuing career as a lobbyist, Bullock enjoys staying active in retirement at Highland Springs with his wife Betty.

He is chairman of the community’s Veterans and Spouses Group, which regularly brings speakers to campus. Last month he recruited Robert Charles, former marine machine gunner and author of Last Man Out, to talk about his experience as a prisoner of war along the infamous River Kwai.

Bullock also encourages discussion about current affairs—he plans to invite a professor later this year to discuss secret military codes and ciphers. “I didn’t want the club to be just about swapping war stories,” Bullock says. “For the group to remain viable, we need to talk about more current issues.”

Living at Highland Springs makes it viable for Bullock to participate in activities, serve on committees, and write for the newsletter. He looks forward to sharing his experiences in The Voices of Highland Springs. “I think that I can contribute to the community because I can tell it how it is,” he says.