Reflections

Today, on Veteran's Day, the 4 short years I spent as a medic in the army are fresh in my mind.  The men and women I served with, and the ones I lost, are all front and center.  Leaving the service is the one regret I have in my life.  Though I left because of medical illness/injuries incurred while serving my country, I wish I could have served my full 20+ years.  I would gladly give back my medical retirement to serve again...though I don't see that happening.  There's a greater plan out there for me...I just need to continue down this path and figure out what it is...

I miss wearing the uniform.  Getting up before the sun rose to rally with my comrades and start the day with PT.  I miss the comraderie I had with some of the people I am lucky to call my best friends.  The bond between sisters and brothers in arms is one that most will never be able to understand.  While I admit I had some very  hard times after I got sick and my chain of command and those in leadership roles treated me like shit; I know that is not the "Army".  As with anywhere, you have good people who are poor leaders, and vice versa.  I miss getting up every day, being proud of the job I was doing; knowing that I was making a difference.  I loved my job as a medic.  I saw a lot of gruesome stuff, things that I will never be able to forget...but each experienced helped me be a better medic. 

Each and every day, I'm thankful for the experiences and the knowledge I gained as a combat medic.  I'm also thankful that I live to see another day, to awake each morning and take that first breath of the new day.  Some of my brothers and sisters weren't so lucky.  Every day, I think of them and wish the best for their families, hoping and praying that they are finding some form of solace and peace in their Soldier's ultimate sacrifice.  I love my family, and I love my country. 

On this Veteran's Day, I'm thankful that I have lived another day and been given the gift of life and the ability to awake each morning with a breathe of fresh air...for a new beginning.