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Why Do They Serve?

photo by provided Pam Norton and one of the reasons she served her nation.

photo by provided Veteran Michael Wojciechowski keeps his focus simple. Family and country.

photo by Cookie Step Sueyen Chung celebrates his graduation from the US Naval Academy.

Tuesday November 7, 2017

By Cookie Steponaitis

To many Americans the idea of serving in the Armed Forces of the nation is a foreign concept. They wonder why people willingly put themselves in harm’s way, give up freedom and missing precious time with their family and children’s lives. While the answers may not be a surprise, the reality is that people serve in the Armed Forces for a myriad of reasons and unique to the individual choosing to put on the uniform.
Serving others and the nation
Pam Norton served her nation with two tours stateside and overseas between 1976 and 1983. While her time in uniform ended, her service has taken her across the country and into the lives of many veterans and their families. "When my time in the service ended I had a young family and my focus was on raising my children and working to help support my family," shared Norton. "Once they were older I joined the American Legion Auxiliary, went to a meeting and that was the beginning." Norton, within a year of joining the local Unit at Post 14 advanced through the leadership levels to become the Auxiliary President at the American Legion Auxiliary at both the unit and state level and understands the complexity of issues America's veterans face. "While at the Post I connected with some of our older veterans," reflected Norton. "Some spoke a little of what they experienced and others spoke of none of what they had experienced. What struck me was some of them had a very real need for help, some medical and/or monetary and some just needed companionship and while there are services available for them, they wouldn't seek it out. A common thread seemed to be that someone else needed it more than themselves, they didn't want to take a service and have someone else denied service before themselves. It made me want to help them. As a veteran I don't want to see anyone who has served not receive the help they deserve."
Following in his father’s footsteps and acting on a desire to serve
Michael Wojciechowski is a Purple Heart recipient and highly decorated soldier who served in the Army National Guard from 1986-2012 and did tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Michael Wojciechowski grew up in Pasadena, Maryland and joined the Army National Guard and while still in high school attended basic training between his junior and senior year. At 17.5 years of age Wojcieochowski joined not because of college funding or acquiring a trade or set of skills but because he wanted to serve his country as an Airborne Ranger. Serving in the Army National Guard from 1986-2012, Wojciechowski followed in his father’s footsteps and took his place in the military as part of his heritage. While he did not foresee the events that would befall his unit during their deployment to Iraq as part of Task Force Red Leg in 2004-2005 serving as military police he feels very fortunate to be alive to this day.
Protecting freedom
Sueyen Chung cannot really remember a time as a child when he did not want to be a Marine.  Attending Norwich University in Vermont and later transferring to and graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in May of 2017, Chung followed his goals with a passion. “I originally decided to join the Marine Corps because of the great deeds the Marines have accomplished in the past,” remarked Chung. “Now I am committed to serve due to the Marine Corps Ethos and to serve the people who sign up to serve a higher purpose then themselves. Veterans Day to me is a day of significant remembrance. It is a crucial reminder that to not only recognize those who serve but to also remember our commitment to the veterans alive for their well-being and care.”
    Echoing through all the comments is an underlying concept of service to others and putting the needs of the nation first. No matter the era, uniform or length of service, all America’s veterans and currently serving Armed Forces are connected by a belief that America must stay strong and each generation in turn must take up the role that has been passed from generation to generation since the inception of the nation in 1776.

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