story10584.xml

story10584.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2004-05-08

Being 3 hours earlier in the morning that day.... I was still fast asleep as the devastating attacks occured. My roommate woke me up when he found out about the attacks and I eagerly sat in my living room to watch the news broadcasts. Replay after replay of the second airplane hitting the trade center, images of a burning Pentagon, and interviews of worried New Yorkers had me sitting there most of the afternoon and evening. I had never been to New York, and hadn't really seen that many pictures of the World Trade center. I could tell, that day was the beginning of a new era in the way we as an American Society live.

As the following months proceeded... The US Military deployed several aircraft carriers, and other submarines and ships carrying vast amounts of troops over seas. The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) stayed out to sea for 159 consecutive days supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

In July of 2002, I enlisted in the United States Navy and volunteered my efforts to help support the strongest military in the world. I was deployed to the Medeterranean Sea in March of 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

I enlisted for several personal reasons... but knowing that I, as an American citizen, who will not stand for the loss of freedoms, the loss of undeniable rights to liberty, or terrorizing the lives of innocent people who represent equality and opportunity in the world. I am helping to defend a great nation - home to my friends and family... and I would make the decision to enlist all over again if I had to.

The military works very hard to serve its beloved country. Every single citizen of this great land deserves the utmost secure feeling that we're doing our best to provide the protection, the freedoms, and liberties we so gratefully experience.

God Bless America