Mark Hamer

I served from 1982 – 1992 on active duty. My duty stations were: 2nd Battalion 61st Air Defense Artillery, 2nd Infantry Division Korea (1982); 5th Battalion, 194th Armored Brigade (Separate) Fort Knox, KY (1983 – 1984); International Headquarters and Support Command, SHAPE, Belgium (1984 – 1986); 16th Air Traffic Control Battalion, Fort Hood, TX (1986 – 1988); International Headquarters and Support Command, SHAPE, Belgium (1989 – 1990); 1st Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery Battalion, Fort Bliss, TX (1990 – 1992).

I also served in the Army Reserves from (1994 – 2002). While in the reserves I was assigned to the 420th Engineer Brigade, Bryan, TX and to Detachment 1, 420th Engineer Brigade, III Corps, Fort Hood, TX. My military decorations include the Joint Services Command Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.

I started my civilian employment with Texas A&M University within the Athletic Department, working within the Marketing & Promotions Department. After that, I went to Papa John’s Pizza and went from making pizzas to becoming a Store Manager. From there I went to Advantage Rent-A-Car where I eventually became a Loss Prevention Manager, an Area Manager, and a Car Sales Manager. While at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport location, I was running over two hundred vehicles and handling 25 employees. I finished my career in car sales in different locations doing everything from sales associate to sales manager. When I left my last job at AutoNation, I was a Business Manager. Now I am happy to say that I have the best job of all….GRANDPA!

I am married to my wonderful wife of 34 years Khadija, and we have two beautiful children, Rabha and Mark II. Rabha is married with two children of her own; she and her husband live outside of Philadelphia, PA. Mark is single and residing in New York City, New York. I have one brother and three sisters, who live in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Texas. I enjoy walks through nature, bowling, traveling, cooking on the grill for family and friends and watching my grandkids playing sports.

Unfortunately, polycystic kidney disease (PKD) runs in my family affecting my dad, two of my siblings as well as myself. I have also recovered from kidney cancer and as of today I am clear for transplant. In January 2024, I started peritoneal dialysis (PD), which will keep me alive until I receive the gift of a kidney transplant.