That, of course, has led to not only plenty of ribbing among the family but a bond that extends through the generations.
"The thing about veterans is if you ever get them together, the one thing we have in common is we razz each other about our different services," Montgomery said. "The other thing is it's a fraternity that we all have the common shared experience. It doesn't matter what service you're in, what era you're in, it's a group that just clicks. And it's always interesting to hear the different experiences and the different stories of what they've gotten into."
A native of Chillicothe, Montgomery enlisted in 1989 and served until 1997. He was initially assigned to the 3rd Armored Division as a part of the Army's Cold War defense of West Germany, but in 1990, he was deployed to Saudi Arabia as a member of the US Army's 7th Corps in support of Operation Desert Shield.
He then participated in the invasion of Iraq and the liberation of Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm, for which his tank battalion was awarded the Valorous Unit Award. His other awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, and the Liberation of Kuwait medals from Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
It's a decorated career, one that Montgomery looks back on with pride given what he and his units accomplished as well as his family history.
"The military tie was always there," he said. "I think my parents were always encouraging of it. They thought it would be a good experience for all three of us (brothers), and they were right. We all got out of high school and none of us were ready to go to college, so it was a good break for us. But yes, they were always supportive and encouraging of it.
"It's a tough thing for parents. I have a letter my mother wrote the night the Gulf War started in January 1991 that a really special thing to me. It's hard to understand what this does for a parent when they support their kids to do this, and you learn, in my case, over 30 years, you look back on it and we ask our kids to do incredibly dangerous things."
For Montgomery, that meant having a key part in Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait, something he remembers to this day. While things like the camaraderie stand out -- in a tank battalion, there are just four members of each tank and 12 people in a platoon, which meant the relationships built then are so tight they continue on to this day -- Montgomery also views the war as a way for the U.S. military to both get past the Vietnam War but also honor its participants, as many of his battalion leaders were Vietnam vets.
"I think you look back on it and anything, with time you forget some of the bad stuff and you focus on the positive stuff, but as I recall it, it was incredible to have been part of what was the end of a type of warfare, I believe," he said. "When we finally moved into Iraq, we were going through that country, there were armored vehicles stretches to the far right and left of me as far as I could see.
"It was such a massive assembly of force, similar to the World War II era. It's something unlikely to be seen again, so it's a piece of modern history. It's something I've very proud of what we did there. When we got to Kuwait, you can see what happens when people's rights at a human level are suspended by an adversary that is very aggressive. That aspect has never left me. I'm grateful for what we have here."
Since leaving the military, Montgomery has settled in New Albany, and he was able to attend his military salute with his 88-year-old father, who lives just up the way in Gahanna. It's a pretty common trip for the Montgomery family, as they have been Blue Jackets season ticket holders for many of the franchise's 20 years, dating back to the very beginning.
That's what helped make this military salute a special night for the family.
"I was lucky enough to sit on the ice for the very first exhibition game against the Red Wings, the first game played on the ice, and we've been going since then," Montgomery said. "We've been all in since the beginning, through all the ups and downs. It wasn't hard to get addicted to it. It's such a fun game, it's a fast-paced game. Win or lose, it's our team. We love them."
