Culpeper man accustomed to service

At the end of retired Col. Ian Phillips' circular driveway stands a flagpole with an American flag at the top waving to passers-by.
Inside his Culpeper home, Phillips - rocking back and forth in his bluish plaid recliner - reminisced about his military career last week.

Phillips, 76, served his country for nearly 30 years before retiring from the U.S. Army in 1974.

After enlisting in 1948, Phillips served in Korea, Vietnam, Germany, Austria and Italy. Back in the states, he lived on military bases in Fort Knox, Ky., Fort Benning, Ga., and Washington, D.C.

Phillips commanded two companies and has held several staff and operational positions in a number of places while in the military.

By 1988, the Pensacola, Fla., native was ready to serve the Culpeper community. He and his wife, Mary Lou, settled down in the area.

Phillips has been a member of the Culpeper County Planning Commission since 1993, served as vice president of the Commonwealth of Virginia Council of the Congressional Award, a member of the Culpeper Optimist Club and has served on a list of other local organizations.

And that's why Culpeper County Board of Supervisor Larry Aylor nominated Phillips to receive a Culpeper Colonel Award, which was presented to him Dec. 4.

The award is given to local residents who "serve their fellow citizens in a variety of ways including their actions, advice and donations of time, energy and money."

"He was the first person that came to mind when it comes to community service," said Aylor, who was elected to the board in 2005. "His commitment is very strong and he does all of his research and comes to all of the meetings."

"I try to follow his example," Aylor added. "We're lucky to have him because he's totally committed to Culpeper County."

Aylor even named Phillips as one of his mentors when they both served on the Culpeper County Planning Commission together.

"I felt like I gained a great education by listening to him," said Aylor, who served with Phillips for eight years. "I knew where he stood when a case came up. I would state my position and he would state his. And I found him to always be fair."

Supervisor Sue Hansohn agreed.

"He is very much a part of the community," she said. "He's a very good man and you can depend on him."

When Phillips learned about his nomination, he modestly said he was honored to receive such a "great recognition."

"My feeling is that there're a lot of other people that probably deserve this award more in Culpeper," said Phillips, sitting in his den. "It was a pleasure to be in Gladys Williams' company when you think of the things she does with the senior citizens in the county."

Above the door leading to the Phillips' sunroom is a sign that sums up Phillips' feelings about Culpeper.

The sign reads: "I wasn't born in Culpeper, Va., but I got here as fast as I could."

"I've traveled around the world for most of my life and when I finally settled somewhere, I got involved in the community," he said.

A lifetime of service
Phillips said when serving on all of the committees he has always taken something from them.

"You learn every day," he said. "The most enjoyable thing that I did in Culpeper was related to the Congressional Awards."
As vice president of the Commonwealth of Virginia Council of the Congressional Award for 10 years, Phillips said he helped to organize a committee in Culpeper.

"We were able to sponsor over a 1,000 student scholarships in Virginia," he said. "We used to take two bus loads of kids to the Capitol every year for kids to receive their awards."

Phillips entered the military right after high school. Meanwhile, he found time to earn his bachelor's degree in management from the University of Maryland. After that, he completed a transportation management course at Columbia University.

As a colonel, Phillips commanded a large organization.

While in the Army, Phillips earned medals of Honor, too. He was awarded two Legions of Merit, (one in Vietnam and one when he retired), the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal three times and other miscellaneous awards.

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or .