In this recurring special feature, Nonahood News recognizes and honors those everyday heroes who have served or are currently serving our country and making a difference in our community. Those who reside in the Lake Nona and surrounding area are our Nona Heroes

This month’s featured hero is Rick Boyd. Boyd has lived in the Lake Nona area for 29 years. He joined the United States Air Force (USAF) when he was just 18 years old.

“Growing up, I was infatuated with aircraft. I would buy all the latest model aircraft and with a friend would create mock dogfights based on the different fighter types. A real genuine NERD,” Boyd continued. “I knew that I would have to serve based on my low lottery number in the draft, so I decided that I wanted to make the decision on which branch I would actually serve in versus being drafted and not being involved in the decision-making process to decide which branch I served. The USAF was a natural and comfortable decision for me based on my father retiring as a Major in the USAF and coming from a military family background made the decision fairly easy.”

Boyd served for four years active duty and two years on reserves. He was the crew chief on KC135A Aircraft 62-3549 with a specialty code of 43171E and was in the 416th Bombardment Wing, which was stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base (AFB) in Rome, N.Y. Boyd also had the experience of being stationed at Eielson AFB in Fairbanks, Alaska, at Hickam AFB in Honolulu, Hawaii, at Andersen AFB in Guam, at Clark AFB in the Philippines, at Kadena AFB in Okinawa and at U-Tapao AFB in Thailand, along with McCoy AFB right here in Orlando. “I deployed wherever the aircraft went to,” Boyd explained. “[My favorite location was] Hickam AFB [in] Oahu, Hawaii. [I] lived at the beach after work … beautiful beaches … and body surfing … and great nightlife.”

Boyd attained an E-4 (Senior Airman) rank as an enlisted man and broke down how that rank is earned. The average sew-on for an E-4 is 28 months, which is also the earliest sew-on. An E-4 has a total of eight years of tenure.

Some of Boyd’s best memories from serving in the Air Force include a natural phenomenon that most never get to experience. “I was on a temporary duty assignment in January 1974 at Eielson AFB just outside of Fairbanks. Seeing and experiencing the northern lights [aurora] when it was dark was and still is amazing.”

Outside of the military, Boyd began a career with Delta Air Lines Inc. in September 1977. In January 2006, he retired after 28 years at Delta as an international coordinator in the Airport Coordination Center right here at the Orlando International Airport.

In April 2006, Rick and his wife, Lisa, went into a partnership with Kathy Day and James Mulvaney. They leased two buildings in downtown Orlando and built and opened the Harp and Celt Authentic Irish Pub and Restaurant. “In November 2017, we actually purchased the building where the Harp and Celt and The Great Escape Room are located, thus ensuring the continued partnership with our patrons, The Harp and Celt and the City of Orlando.”

If you would like to nominate someone for our next Nona Heroes feature, please send an email to nicole@nonahoodnews.com or complete the form here: nonahood.to/nonaheroes.