Page 67 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2025 - Online Magazine

by Lucy Peterson

he word “veteran” means ever done, and the experience was
something different when both “a total shock” both physically and
Tof your parents served in the mentally. However, it also proved to her
military. To my sister and me, they are that she could do anything that she set
Mom and Dad, but when they start her mind to. Our dad remembers being
talking about their military experiences, in Basic training on September 11, 2001,
it is like being transported to a different and not realizing that in a short matter of
lifetime. When they were only two years time he would be in Iraq. It was during
older than I am now, they raised their their initial basic training that both Matt
hands and took an oath to defend and and Rachel realized that they had made
protect our Nation and, shortly after, left a life altering choice as they began their
their family and friends behind to begin advanced training schools.
training to become combat ready in their
chosen military occupations. Their military occupations required
extensive training, attention to detail,
Their stories are so important because and the ability to react and conduct
they tell us about a period in their lives operations in high stress, fast paced
that my parents will both say “was one situations. Matt enlisted as an Aircraft
of the best decisions I ever made.” It also Crew Chief, and Rachel enlisted as a
means observing firsthand how military Chemical Operations Specialist. Our dad
service impacts service members after loves to talk about AF aircraft and how
they leave the military and how it can he felt valued being an aircraft Crew
help contribute to future generations as Chief. Our mom talks about things like
they become families. MOPP (Mission Oriented Protective
Posture) gear, decontamination, and
Our mom, Rachel, served in the Army smoke missions. When they talk about
from 1999-2004, and our Dad, Matt, their military occupations, both agree
served in the Air Force from 2001-2004, that they loved the camaraderie shared
and later enlisted in the Army National between themselves and those they
Guard in 2011. Their military training served with, the importance of their
was a huge accomplishment for both roles, and how they contributed to the
of them and eventually brought them larger mission of the branches they
together in 2004. Our favorite stories are served in. They often reflect on the
the ones about what they experienced opportunities that their military training
during their training because we know provided and how they would not
that not everyone would be willing to have received those opportunities from
undergo the sacrifice or be capable of anywhere but the military.
doing some of the things that they have
done. These stories of their experiences, their
stories about the people they served
Our mom says that her military training with, and stories about the leadership
was one of the hardest things she has that guided them have given my sister

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