When Greg Stube enlisted in the U.S. Army Infantry in July 1988, he only wanted two things — a paycheck and respect.
Since his retirement after 23 years of service, Stube became the host of his own television show called “Coming Home with Greg Stube.” Since the end of the series, Stube has turned to public speaking, consulting and charity work with a focus on youth training and development. He currently services as a leadership presenter for the FBI and the FBI National Academy in Washington, D.C. and Quantico.
Stube shared his life with a packed house during Frankfort Main Street’s Celebration Night on Thursday which was called “Renew, Recharge and Reimagine.”
“The message I wanted to get across is we’re one team in one fight,” he said. “Even though I was in the military, that’s not a more important role than the people have on Main Street maintaining the fabric of the country that’s supposed to be worth fighting for. America’s great because of Main Street not because of the military. The military is chartered with the responsibility of protecting Main Street.”
Following the Army, Stube was selected for the Green Berets in November 1992 where he trained as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant, 18D, which included training in surgery, anesthesia, trauma, management, pharmacology, minor dentistry, veterinary subject and more to help maintain the ‘A-Team” function where there is no doctor.
While serving in Combat Operations in the Global War on Terror, Stube was wounded in Afghanistan during Operation Medusa. Stube’s A-Team encountered overwhelming numbers of Taliban fighters in The Battle of Sperwan Ghar, which lasted over a week. Stube’s wounds from a remotely detonated IED and enemy fire seemed fatal, but instead he survived to endure months of hospitalization and surgeries. Huge wounds to his abdomen, hip and pelvis eventually closed, his nearly severed leg was restored, and extensive full-thickness burns were grafted.
Stube added it is very important to be interactive with each other. He takes lessons learned from the battlefield and incorporates them into leadership, team dynamics and resilience.
“I’m impressed that a town like Frankfort comes together believing in what can be and produce and project to the state and the country around it,” said Stube. “I love to see the kind of power that comes when people, competitors and businesses in one small town can stand together for one purpose. I think it’s beautiful.”
Since retiring from the Green Beret, Stube has also become a best-selling author as his book, “Conquer Anything: A Green Beret’s Guide to Building Your A-Team” hit number one in 2018. Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action Chris Cox says the book “shows us how to stand up for freedom to become embodiments of the American dream. This is more than a Special Forces book, this is a guide to creating your own A-Teams to help us succeed in life and business.”
Frankfort Main Street Executive Director Kim Stevens said she heard Stube speak two years ago. She had been trying ever since to get him in Frankfort.
Stevens was asked what does a celebration night means to Main Street.
“I think it hopefully opens some minds about what Main Street is and I don’t mean Frankfort Main Street,” said Stevens. “The fact that as a community we have to come together to be Main Street. It’s up to each one of us to create a destination.”
The following is a list of award winners:
Premier Partner Award — The Farmers Bank and The City of Frankfort.
Dreamers and Doers — Whiskey Rose Boutique, Moxie Maven Boutique and Delilah’s Boutique.
BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) — Simple Thyme Antiques and Primitives.
Legacy Award — Milky Way and Ellis Jewelers.
Rising Star Award — Frankfort Nutrition.
Business Hero Award — Michael Stone of First Merchants Bank.
Spirit of Main Street Award — Over the Back Fence, The Bankable Building and Creekside Music.
Special Recognition Award — Joe Palmer and Cindy Chambers of Frankfort Main Street.