• “...I was 10 years old when 9/11 happened…”

    “I was 10 years old when 9/11 happened. I found out about it during school. Seeing everything that was happening was crazy and I didn’t really understand everything going on at a young age. Now, as a member of the military and a firefighter I draw inspiration from the sacrifices all the first

  • “...If you aren’t trying to evolve, you are falling behind...”

    “When I graduated college I didn’t receive any job offers so, I decided to join the service. I am happy with my decision. The Air Force enabled me to see the world through a different lense and helped me grow. I have learned about responsibility, accountability, and discipline. When I go back to the

  • “...I like to prove people wrong...”

    “I have never met my biological mother because I was born addicted to drugs and immediately placed into foster care. I had one foster family who raised me and eventually adopted me at six years old. My family provided me with a home and so much love. I never felt like I wasn’t a part of the family.

  • "...I live by 'mind over matter'..."

    "I'm a very dedicated and motivated individual. I live by 'mind over matter.' My dad used to say it to me anytime I got stumped by something or if he knew I wasn't giving 100%. He knows me like the back of his hand. Even to this day, we have a connection and he always pushes me and reminds me I can

  • “…Seeing their progression…”

    “When I initially came in the Air Force I was security forces with the intent of retraining into a medical career field. When the opportunity came up I chose to go into physical therapy. It was the best decision; I love physical therapy. My favorite part of the job is when we help someone who comes

  • "...My second home..."

    "My husband served 32 years in the military and it allowed me to work here in the late-80s and again in the mid-90s, ive been here ever since. Working here that long has made this place a second home, I enjoy working with military service members. Everyday they have a new challenge for me at the

  • “…The opportunity to do something with a higher impact…”

    “When I was younger I wanted to join the Air Force and be a pilot, once I went to the recruiter and failed a color vision test I realized that wasn’t going to happen and I put the military on the back burner. As time went on I got married and we had a child, I got older and wizened up a bit. I

  • “...Given me structure and taught me professionalism…”

    “My older brother joined the Marines and he encouraged me to join the armed forces, but I wanted to get a feel for what college classes were like. I decided to take classes at a community college. I was working at the same time and living with my parents. It was getting boring and I didn’t want to

  • “…My dream to be a Catholic priest…”

    “I immigrated to the United States in 2001 from Nigeria. While I was in Nigeria I attended seminary college so I could become a Catholic priest. In Nigeria you have the super-rich and the indigent poor, so there is not a large middle class due to the lack of equitable distribution of resources. My