Yesterday I decided to go and see American Sniper. It took a lot of thought and decision to go, because these types of movies move me, emotionally and physically. But I wanted to not only honor a fallen comrade, but also wanted to show my support for the movie.
I would like to first start by saying that I am already a proud American and not just an American, a proud American Veteran. But watching this movie made me even more proud to have served my country. Being able to see parts of what SEALS endure to be come the elite was a good part and seeing the passion of another solider as I had made my passion all so real. I remember the anger and bitterness of 9/11 and the visions of that day are still burned into my mind. Though I had already enlisted before it happened it is the reason I stayed and chose to continue serving my country.
It is out of passion and love for this country that so many serve. Chris Kyle’s story about what he endured in combat, family, and just being a man in this world. What he endured was more than any man should have to and he did it for God, Country and Family. No one will ever truly understand this except those that have sacrificed and endured for this country.
One of the hardest things that I have experienced that was portrayed in the movie is the motivation to be with your fellow service members. Chris protected so many soldiers, he saved so many lives and he knew he was the best at what he did and the idea that he wasn’t doing it anymore truly affected his life. I wasn’t in a role where I was directly saving lives, but just knowing that I was providing some sort of communication to those on the ground was close enough. So many soldiers experience this after they leave service or after a deployment. Over the past 5 years I have felt the loss of comrade and the relationships that I made over time in the service. Its a feeling you will never experience anywhere else in the world. I have talked to recruiters to go back in and have tried to push myself to overcome my disability so that I could serve my country once more. What I have learned over the past few months is that there are other ways to serve my country.
Chris learned this and used his skills to help Veterans where were disabled by war and those that had no hope found hope in Chris. This movie has pushed my ideas of wanting to help my fellow Veterans even more. I have skills that many can use and need in the work force and what I have learned is that I may have a disability and that he shouldn’t define me and even though mine is life threatening, there are other Veterans that have a worse disability than mine will ever be.
That is one of the reasons that I have started to work with the CVA, VFW and other organizations. I still need to do my part for my country. I may have ended my service, but the commitment I made back in August of 2000 didn’t end when my service ended.
I, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the Officers appointed over me, according to the regulations and the uniform code of military justice. So help me God!
Welcome 