I am a Navy veteran. I have served my country for 10 years. As an active duty military member, I deployed to several different countries (Peru, Malaysia, Bahrain, Tahiti, Saipan, Guam, Australia), supporting a mission to maintain our safety and freedom. The decision to serve was on my own accord, and I am extremely proud of it.
Being deployed meant being out to sea for months at a time with numerous port visits and opportunities.
After completing my job-related duties in port, I was given the opportunity to participate in several community relations projects. These projects often times were to build homes for underprivileged families, feed the homeless, coordinate activities for special needs children and tutoring school age kids.
Taking advantage of every opportunity allowed me not only to be involved but also to have the fortunate experience of coordinating some of the projects. The joy I felt in being able to help someone else and seeing their gratefulness oftentimes brought me to tears. Being a blessing to someone in need is what life is all about for me, especially knowing the journey I have traveled to be where I am today.
I was honorably discharged from the Navy in 2009, where I continued working in my current field, as an information systems technology engineer. Bahrain was my last tour as an active duty military member, and it was also my first tour as a contractor. I lived in Bahrain for three years until several months ago when I moved with my son to the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area as an engineer for Technica Corporation.
Downtown D.C. is where I met Philip Black, a Street Sense vendor that was previously homeless. I took the time to stop and speak with Phillip, to learn his story on how he was no longer homeless due to resources that allowed him to get a housing voucher for his very own apartment.
I was inspired and instantly thought of different ways to help him. I was able to provide Phillip with a washer and dryer, kitchen and bathroom items, as well some art to bring a little character to his new place.
Phillip has been a blessing to me every morning since. Being able to see Phillip’s face light up when telling me that he has on clean clothes inspires me to give back and do more.
Discovering new ways to contribute and lift others by inspiring through words is just one of my primary goals. Writing has been my outlet for a long time: my way of expressing thoughts when feeling suppressed by life’s issues.
I would like to be a voice for all those that are afraid or challenged by encouraging them to take a stand in their life. I want people to hear life stories and motivate them to go out and get their life back, to find what awaits them when they take that stand.
Assisting others also strengthens one’s existence and develops room for growth while providing appreciation for others; that reward is priceless full-circle. I want people to feel wanted, loved and appreciated, and those types of positive emotions are amplified when humbling oneself to help someone in need.
I hope this conveys who I am and what I would like to contribute. Assisting humanity in any manner should be every person’s mission, even if it is through words that inspire change, as I would like to make my mission for this paper.
Thank you for your time.
