Honoring our Military

Veterans Day, self reflection.

In high school I was one of those kids that refused to stand for the pledge. It wasn’t out of a hatred or disrespect for our nation, the flag, or for all those that died for it. It was because at the time I didn’t full appreciate what all of it meant; the significance of those symbols and the sacrifices couldn’t be comprehended by my little hormonal brain. Looking back I feel ashamed of such actions.

I remember exactly where I was on September 11th, sitting in my morning history class. Ironic, considering that day was going to mark a period in American history, and it was profound. The school dismissed us after the first plane hit, and I made it home just in time to see the second tower hit. I remember being confused, this was America! We are untouchable, post-ww2 was an American world. We are the “good guys” why are being attacking us? How naive was I? I grew up in NY, so not only was my country attacked, but my state and my family. I was confused and angry.

Most of the people I met in the service joined because they either had nothing else going on for them, wanted free school, or just wanted to travel. I joined because i felt a deep sense of duty to do so. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

I left for the navy in 2005. Boot camp started for me in July, and finished up by the end up September. Hit my ship in October and deployed by thanksgiving. I experienced a level of imposter syndrome. It was all very surreal, here I was some dumb kid not even 21 yet and I’m steering a warship, headed off to Iraq. By st. Patrick’s day of 2006 I had my first taste of war. our ship saw combat with Somali pirates on the early morning of st. Patrick’s day. It was the first time I fired a weapon at another human, the first time someone was trying to kill me, and the first time I saw a very small taste of what war looked like.

Some years later I became a corpsman, needs of the navy, as it were. I spent my final years shuffled around from hospitals, and marine divisions. I’m nearly 40 now and I regret not doing my 20. It haunts me knowing that I left, I feel like I left people behind and let my friends down; in my mind, I didn’t do enough.

It isn’t all regrets, actually my memories are mostly good. I made life long friends, been to places I could never go to today, and learned lessons that most Americans will never learn.

I don’t see Veterans Day as a day to celebrate myself, it’s about the people I met along the way. The absolute hero’s that I was blessed to work alongside.

So, thank a veteran, not just on the few days a year we honor those that were willing risk it all to bring security to all of us at home. Thank them just because it’s a Wednesday, give them a hug, listen to their stories. Teach your children about these brave men and women that put on the uniform, never knowing what the future has in store for them.