Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor our fallen heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice, a day of remembrance for the 1.2 million men and women who answered the Nation’s call and protected the many freedoms that we have as Americans.
As a U.S. Army veteran with two combat tours and 20 years of active service, this day will always hold special meaning. I was 19 years old when I deployed for my first combat tour to Afghanistan. It was unlike anything I ever experienced — going on convoy missions, to being mortared on our fobs, I was and am always aware of how fortunate I am that I was one to make it back home.