Mike Grogan has seen the world in his 41 years.

After all, with 22 years in the Army Reserve, he has had two stints in Iraq and had also been to Germany on six occasions – not to mention the spots throughout the U.S. he has been stationed.

His latest move, which occurred in August, was not military-related. It was strictly business.

Grogan went to Euless, Texas, located between Dallas and Fort Worth, when he was hired by General Motors.

He works at a plant in Arlington that produces bodies for GM sport utility vehicles – Escalades, Tahoes, Suburbans and Yukons.

“At one time, there were two plants that made the SUVs, but one has closed,” Grogan said. “So we are the only one in the world and those vehicles are in demand.

“I like the life that this job provides for me, but it is a really intense and physical job. We work five 10-hour days each week and will be going to six days in the near future.”

Grogan said that before he went to Texas, he worked at the former Fisher Body Plant in West Mifflin. It shut down in November 2008.

“At the time, I was in Washington, D.C., recovering from an injury I suffered while in Iraq,” Grogan said. “After I came out, I was unemployed for a little while before I found this opportunity.”

Grogan said even though he has been in Texas for less than a year, he has already fallen in love with the state.

“The weather is a lot warmer here, and there is just so much to do,” he said. “And celebrities and entertainers love Dallas, so there are so many celebrities who come through Dallas. The entertainment venue here is really amazing.”

Grogan has a three-year assignment at the GM plant in Arlington.

“After that, I can stay, be transferred to another plant or pick another vocation. We will see.”

He lives in Euless with his son, Cameron, 16.

“I give him a lot of credit, because my moving around has caused him a lot of hardships. But he has maintained,” Grogan noted.

Grogan, a staff sgt E-6 in the military, said he hopes he will not be deployed again, but thinks there is a good chance it will happen.

“My goal is to stay in until I can get my son in the Army,” he said of the military. “He is 16, so that’s about two years for me.”

Grogan said that even though he lives in Texas, he considers Monessen to be “home.”

“I love my hometown,” he said. “I was home for Christmas, and I will come home every chance I get.”

His parents, Oliver and Carol Mays, still live in Monessen.

Grogan said that 2009 was a good year for him and wished he could “do it again in 2010.

“However, in my life, things are subject to change. And change is good for me,” he said.

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