Born and raised in Massachusetts. I joined the US Army shortly after graduating high school. I served as an infantryman for 71/2 years, with assignments at Fort Lewis, Washington, and Vilseck, Germany, before returning to Washington. After my active duty service, I decided to pursue a career outside of the military. While transitioning to civilian life, I joined the Washington National Guard and embarked on the challenging journey of finding a new career path outside the "blue cord."This period of transition brought many challenges. I struggled to find a job that I enjoyed or excelled at, and I found it difficult to connect with people outside the Army. As I faced failure after failure, I reached a mental and emotional low point. I began to experience symptoms of PTSD, with no outlet to release my stress or express my thoughts in a positive way. The contrast between my military success-where I was surrounded by comrades who were willing to die with me-and the struggles of civilian life was stark. I had to come to terms with two difficult truths: civilian life doesn't always recognize the value of our military service, and I would never again find the same deep bonds I had formed with my brothers and sisters in uniform. Amidst these struggles, I began to write down my feelings. Writing became a way to process my experiences, and I soon realized I wanted to share the stories of veterans like myself-especially in the wake of the Afghanistan withdrawal. My main goal is to provide an outlet for soldiers who have faced similar challenges, whether in the past, present, or future, and to bring us together. I want our voices to be heard and for our sacrifices to be appreciated. Too many of us have been lost to suicide, and I know the pain that comes with that loss. To those who read this, please know that you are not alone. Don't hesitate to reach out. Until Valhalla, brothers and sisters.
