• Veteran's Day Story. Going 2(3.14)

  November 9, 2010

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  Tags:  

  rotc   life   war   marines   veterans   travel   guard  

   As a kid, I frequented the American Legion post often with my Grandfather who was a Veteran of World War II. While I was in this the great hall, I had the privilege to interact with America’s best… its Veterans. I would listen and absorb the wisdom from the stories of these veterans as they socialized amongst their peers. Time went by and I reached the age where I had to decide how to set my future. It only seemed natural that I would join the military and serve my Nation. I was at the point to where I was debating on what branch I should enter… the Army, Navy, Marines, or Air force.
  On the morning of September 11th, 2001 I was in high school walking to a class when a classmate of mine said to me “Hey, we are being attacked by terrorists.” At the time I thought that the comment was meant to be some sort of joke and didn’t find it to be humorous. As I reached my class, the teacher had the news running on the TV. It was there where I saw the second plane hit the WTC. The first thing that crossed my mind was Pearl Harbor in 1941 and the quote “First to Fight.” I left class, walked out to my car, and drove to the recruiting station.
  I pulled in and walked up to the main entrance where it was placard with those all to familiar recruiting posters. I walked to the Marine’s door and introduced myself, signed up for the infantry and left for Paris Island as soon as I graduated high school. Upon completing Boot Camp and my respective MOS training, I entered the Fleet Marine Corps Force and served for four year with three deployments. Upon the completion of my last deployment I decided I would not re-enlist and that I would like to further my education. That is how my Marine Corps career ended…it is also where my Army career began.
  I enrolled in college seeking a degree in Aerospace Systems Engineering, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of desire to be in uniform. I talked to the National Guard and joined up because of the duality of their mission, of fighting for freedom abroad and serving the Nation in time of disaster. I also discovered the ROTC program on my campus, where I found that I could be enrolled at school as a Cadet while serving in my current National Guard unit. I eagerly joined and now enjoy the privilege of working alongside and leading America’s Best.

  submitted by Cadet Andrew Bower on Nov 9 2010

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