What does it mean to be a veteran?

Joining the Army 22 years ago was never in question for myself. When I was around 14 years old I knew I wanted to sign up. It felt right. I wanted to travel, earn money for college via the Army College Fund, and serve my country....yes...those three words....serve my country.

Today as we reach yet another year with the wars overseas I think about the kids who joined for the same reasons I did and wonder what motivated them? Serving in these wars cost us so much in so many ways. My heart goes out to the lot of them....so really, what does it mean to be a soldier?

For many it can mean different things. For myself I was proud to wear the uniform....to be part of something greater than myself. My strength, my character, fortitude was tested time and again on various levels...at times I honestly thought I would either physically or mentally break, wouldn't be able to follow through---however I did. I wanted my family to be proud....wanted to be proud of myself. Had to be part of history.

Being a veteran means you carry within you a slew of memories that most people simply don't have. You were a member of an elite camaraderie that poems, stories, movies were penned from. And when you are done You feel an acute sense of loss because you are no longer a part of that greater whole.

Being a veteran means you gave up a core piece of yourself for your fellow countrymen; and those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan gave up allot...their families, friends, personal freedoms for something greater--though we may all have our issues regarding these wars.....we must never forget that it was people like them that gave us the freedoms we have now....part of that grander generation from long past............part of what being an American is all about.