Don’t confuse Ed Chavis with the “Six Million Dollar Man,” the 1970s television show that starred Lee Majors as a bionic operative. Nevertheless, Chavis’ military service in the U.S. Air Force did bring him into contact with the Office of Special Investigation (OSI), the agency that was the real life backdrop for the make-believe agency that created Major’s bionic character, Steve Austin. The last eight years of Chavis’ military service was as an intelligence investigator for OSI.

Chavis, a Pensacola native who has lived in Elberta the past 10 years, served in the Air Force “20 years, two months and one day,” or 1973-94. He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant.

As he puts it, when he joined the military, Vietnam was winding down, and he was involved in moving military equipment out of the country or destroying it so it couldn’t be used by the North Vietnamese Army. He was later in bomb navigation, which Chavis describes as being the classified portion of flight simulators.

“I loved it,” Chavis said of bomb navigation.

In connection with his work with OSI, Chavis is a graduate of the FBI Academy.

After retiring from the Air Force, Chavis was a general contractor until he became a Home Depot manager. Today he is installation manager for Home Depot, and his company responsibilities include the entirety of the Interstate 10 corridor in Florida. His home office is in Tampa.

Chavis has been a member of American Legion Post 99 for approximately 10 years. He serves on the Post’s executive committee and is a past Junior Vice-Commander. As a member of the executive committee, he helps oversee funding for projects and denies or approves requests for funding.

Asked why he is a member of Post 99, Chavis said, “I love these veterans, and I’ve lost too many brothers to war. I know how these veterans feel when they see that flag go up the pole.”

Chavis said the worst feeling in the world comes with seeing a flag-draped coffin.

He urges area veterans to join Post 99 in Foley for the sake of camaraderie and community service to God and country.

Chavis has been married for a year and has three children from a previous marriage.

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization dedicated to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest veterans’ service organization, committed to mentoring and sponsorship of youth programs in communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security, and continued devotion to fellow service members and veterans.

Those interested in joining Post 99 or getting more information about the American Legion should contact Post 99 at 943-3114 or Post Commander Harold Bryson at 989-2485.