Army Veteran Turned Elvis Impersonator Reflects on Years of Service: Remembering Our Veterans

Before he started impersonating Elvis Presley, Kurt Nova served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War era. His decision to join the military was the result of another difficult decision.

"I got expelled from school when I was seven, 16 years old, and I had to do something with my life. So my 17th birthday, I joined the U.S. Army. I went to Buffalo and got my physical. And then from there I went to my boot camp training in Fort Dix, New Jersey, went to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for artillery training, and they sent me over to Germany," said Nova. 

He spent the bulk of his military career in Germany. 

"The reward system was, is that all the troops in Europe, across the world, I should say, Britain, the United States and NATO's nations," said Nova. "We all came together in Germany and we took over the fields. The cities, the woods, the crops. We literally used our tanks, our our motorized vehicles."

He’s always been a big fan of the late Elvis Presley and years ago, he started impersonating the King on stage. This year alone, he will make over 60 appearances.

"I was asked if would I do a benefit for cerebral palsy? And it just turned into what it is today," said Nova. "I did a benefit then. I think it was a major club here in the city. Asked me to come in. Then the second largest club in the city asked me to come there and I've been in the clubs for many years. Elvis, I didn't believe, was someone that could die. It was like, it's like the air you breathe."

Kurt Nova, thank you for your service.