Please Also List Any Significant Or Meaningful Military

I am proud to say that both my grandma and grandpa served in the military. The experiences that they have had are invaluable to learn about. Their stories keep the service they have done alive and helps to enrich others about what serving the country is like. They do not glout about their service, but are humbled to have been able to make a contribution to the nation’s security. If not for my grandpa’s service, I would not be here today as he met my grandma through it. I respect his service and sacrifice for the country of today.

In May of 2005 I finally accomplished something that really meant a lot not only to me and my family, but to the people of the United States of America. Even while being in Iraq from April 2007 to November 2007 and losing a brother in arms while I was there I still felt honor. After finding out I will be a dad in June 2008 I became a Non Commissioned officer July 1st and a married man by July 2nd. Once August 2008 came I found myself saying yes to four more years. Once August 2012 came I was a well-established family man who became a marine vet who is instilled with nothing but honor, courage, and

impacted my life in many challenging ways. The term military brat is usually misunderstood by

As per my father’s side of the family, the way in which his side immigrated to the United States differed slightly. My father’s grandpa, Grandpa Salvatore, served and died

I can remember when I escaped to Canada when the draft first started. That decision will never be regretted by me because if I hadn’t gone to Canada and met the man with the cabins I wouldn’t have been the lieutenant of the Alpha Company and met the great men who were in it. Probably wouldn’t be the person who I am now without the help of those men and my experiences at the war. The way how we all made the best of the situation from when people died to how mistakes were made.

At the core of every Soldier or Veteran is a family that is influenced by their service. Nowhere is more evident of this service and sacrifice, than

During an interview with Neal Lehew, my grandpa, I was pleasantly surprised to hear the reactions and responses to the questions that I asked. Neal was born in 1937 in Horton, KS; the same town that he has resided in his entire life. Growing up, farming has been a way of life for him; sometimes taking precedence over attending school in a one room schoolhouse. Despite being forced to farm when he was young, it became his lifelong passion. In 1955, Neal graduated from high school and joined the National Guard for nine years in order to continue farming at his home. He explained to me that during this time period, if a person did not join the National Guard or get married, they were to be drafted. While in the Guards, he attended Highland Community College, where he graduated with a business degree. In 1964, my grandpa and grandma, Joan, got married. They have happily been married for almost fifty-two years; as he says that that is the best decision that he has ever made in his entire life. Two short years later, Joan gave birth to my dad, Tim. One additional year later, my aunt Dawn was born. In 1999, Neal began driving the bus for the local school and continued to do this for sixteen years.

My father has been a significant role model and his service with the Marine Corps has helped me to become the person that I am today. I am able to easily adjust to new situations; my work ethic is outstanding, and I possess the same amount of sheer grit that my father displayed as one of the

Growing up I always had an admiration of the military and all the stories that went along with it. In grade school learning just briefly about the wars that happened in our past and ones that were going on in present day time. Watching tragedy’s happen right in front of me on live television and seeing our military take action in no time at all. To being in high school and doing in depth research papers about wars, that opened my eyes so much more to what really happened. I have always had an eye for the military and what goes on inside, where no one else can see.

When my grandfather decided to go into the military he choose to join the Navy. The first ship he served on was the USS Savannah. He was one of

Like a moth to the flame, I have always been drawn to the military. It appeals to me in many ways, but most prominently in the role of the military to protect individual’s freedom. As a US history major, my dad always regaled me with stories of the American Revolution and Civil War. The courage and passion shown by countless historical figures to preserve freedom amazed me growing up and set the stage for my ambitions with the military.

The toll of war on my unit was not something that I understood until I was well into redeployment. I remember vividly the redeployment ceremony and all of the new gold star families (families who have lost a soldier) that were standing on the bottom of the bleachers. The Brigade Commander began to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and I broke down into tears. I watched how lost and torn apart those spouses, children, and parents were with their now incomplete family. Furthermore, they endured a grueling and at times hopeless twelve months of uncertainty and emotion, only to endure a total loss of love for the remainder of their lives. During the wounded warrior walk, after the ceremony I cheered on platoon, after platoon of amputees who were making their way through the streets of Fort Wainwright. Ultimately, everything was quickly put into perspective after these two events.

My grandfather, Ellie Price, served in the 841st Engineering Aviation Battalion that was stationed near Kunsan, South Korea in 1954. He was assigned the job of light vehicle mechanic and heavy machinery operator. He spent most of his time during the day improving the condition of the North/South runway while guarding it at night. My grandfather’s service in the Special Category of Army with Air Force (SCARWAF) division has always been a highlight of my family’s history. His willingness to leave America to defend a completely foreign country is a quality that I admire and hope to have myself.

The toll of war on my unit was not something that I thought about until I was well into redeployment. I remember vividly the redeployment ceremony and all of the new gold star families that were standing on the bottom of the bleachers. The brigade commander began to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and I lost it. I watched how lost and torn apart those spouses, children, and parents were with their now incomplete family. Furthermore, they endured a grueling and at times hopeless twelve months of uncertainty and emotion, only to endure a total loss of love for the remainder of their lives. During the wounded warrior walk, after the ceremony I cheered on platoon, after platoon of amputees who were making their way through the

My great grandfather has served more than I could ever hope to. Five of the seven Schiebout boys were drafted to serve in World War II. All of them came home which, sadly, is more than most families can say. Chris spent his service in the Pacific Theater of the war and he actually brought a Japanese rifle back with him. You can still see the imperial insignia on the barrel by the sights, there are two score marks through the symbol so show that it was no longer for use even though the weapon could have been fired. One of my fondest memories of my grandpa was when we went down into his basement and looked at