Loyalty. Duty. Respect. Selfless Service. Honor. Integrity. Personal Courage. (LDRSHIP).
I wore these words on a dog tag the day I entered the United States Army. A freshly pressed uniform, the shine of new boots, my first military issued haircut. I was proud as hell to serve in the footsteps of patriots and heroes.
I will never forget giving my farewell to fellow graduates of Yarmouth High School as I shipped out to Basic Combat Training in 2003. My decision to serve in the Armed Forces was an easy one. Two grandparents, two cousins and a family of veterans encouraged my decision to fight for the values of "our" countr....