In his own words, Dr. Paul Hanson is a man who “lives on the edge”. A retired United States Army veteran and professor of history at Neumann University, Dr. Hanson’s life experiences from childhood to serving his country have shaped the person he is today. Dr. Hanson describes his early family life as warm and loving but also unique since he and his family lived in various places. One of five children originally from Idaho Falls (Correct me if this is wrong), Dr. Hanson and his family moved to Nebraska when his father, who was also a veteran, began attending dental school at the University of Nebraska. Nebraska was an unfamiliar place and Dr. Hanson shared there was “not a lot of anything,” however he described his family life as “wonderful” nonetheless. After his father completed dental school, Dr. Hanson and his family returned to Idaho Falls. Returning to Idaho Falls was special for Dr. Hanson because he was able to reconnect with his large family after living in Nebraska.
By the time he reached fifth grade, Dr. Hanson’s father was drafted into the army, which at that time was in need of medical professionals. After this, Dr. Hanson and his family lived in Germany for four years. Dr. Hanson attended an Army school in Stuttgart, Germany, which he described as just like any other…show more content… Hanson moved to Inglewood, California where he attended high school. After graduating high school in 1963, Dr. Hanson had no desire to go to college and instead worked in the oil fields in southern California until 1968 when an oil spill dried up the oil fields. 1968 was also the year that Dr. Hanson joined the army during the Vietnam War. Dr. Hanson spent a year and a half in Vietnam and went on to serve in the army for twenty-three more years. During the Cold War, Dr. Hanson spent eight years in Germany. Throughout his time in the army, Dr. Hanson trained reserves and other units and served as Sergeant Major, which is the highest rank in the
