The staff of the View from Valehaven wish to recognize and thank the many Veterans who are part of our community. In honor of the holiday we've asked Andrew Disbrow and Henry Giasson to share some thoughts on what it means to be a veteran. Both Andy and Henry are available to support service members in need.
I have been tasked with the honor of sharing with you the meaning of Veterans Day, and what it means to be a Veteran.
Let me start by saying, there is often confusion between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a day dedicated to the memory, appreciation, and honor of those who have served and have died, especially those who have died while serving their country. Veterans Day is a day of appreciation to honor to those who have served or are serving, who have earned the status and recognition of being a Veteran by the Military and the VA. Veterans Day is a celebration of all Veterans, not specific to War Veterans, or specific branches of service.
I grew up on military bases. My grandfather was a WW2 Veteran who was wounded in combat. My stepfather was in the Air Force for over 20 years. As a child, I had no idea that I also would go on to serve in the United States Army. Veterans Day is a day that we thanked those service members for the sacrifices that they make day to day and honor who have answered the call to serve.
The military experience itself has a lot in common at first with the college experience. You are in a dorm like building (called a dorm, a ship, or a barracks) and there is a sergeant on the floor who basically acts like a RA at college. You work and train daily in your military tasks, are encouraged to take college classes, are encouraged to take military elective training, and as you mature the military starts to give you more responsibility. You transition into middle management, or a technical expert in a trade, and if you stay in long enough and hit your career marks, you may end up in senior management or higher. We use ranks to signify that, but the structure isn’t that much different from most civilian jobs.
We train for the possibility of going to War. A common misconception of the military is that everyone is a ‘War fighter’. While we all can be in extenuating circumstances, something like 10% of the military is actual ‘Combat Arms’ forces. The vast majority of the military is in ‘Service and Support’. I will freely admit that many combat arms guys have a bit of a chip on their shoulder. I will also admit that I have from time to time. It is like being on a sports team, or in a nation in the realms. You are proud of the history of your corps and your unit. It is also important to note that the service of those not in the Combat Arms is JUST AS IMPORTANT as the war fighter role in the military. Food, logistics, fuel, administrative support, mechanical support, construction, transportation, water purification, pay roll and finance, administrative tracking, parts ordering, communication, surveillance, intelligence, liaisons to host nations, legal counseling, even veterinarian service for support animals. Each piece of the puzzle is an integral part of a larger picture designed to move, support, engage, and destroy enemies of the nation for the welfare of the people and to maintain a presence for the preservation of peace.
In close, I will say that being in the service is both very rewarding and very taxing. There are times when it is thankless dirty work that you would not want to do. The term ‘VolunTold’ is coined in some of these less than charming tasks. There are times that it is physically taxing, emotionally stressful, and you wake up and say ‘what am I doing here’. The other truth is that there are many times that this is the most rewarding job that you can have. We make a difference in each others lives and most of our overseas service is to make a positive impact on the world. We have fed the poor, assisted in disaster relief at home and abroad, helped end atrocities in some parts of the world, and built legacies on selfless service and sacrifice. The service lifestyle is also difficult on our families who sometimes have move frequently or have to maintain the home front while we travel. It takes a special spouse to be a military spouse, and even the children have a service to their country in maintaining the standards of good citizenship and discipline. Veterans Day is a day to recognize those who have chosen this special but sometimes difficult lifestyle and have committed a portion of their lives to train for war while trying to make a difference in peace, and always be ready and committed.
Thank you for your service fellow Veterans.
Henry Giasson
Hello My Fellow Realmsies,
I was asked to write something on Veterans Day about service and it’s collation with Realms.
I enter the armed service for an expected 3 year service; I wanted to get my life straight so thought it would be a quick hangout in Italy, boom done. So why the Army why enter in to the armed service? Everyone enters with different goals and or reasons often as time goes on those things all change. People grow, learn, experience, and bond while in close proximity to others. Perhaps closer than others but every interaction alters one’s life. 10.5 years later I was in 3 United States combat operations abroad and 1 joint Allied operation overseas. I have been to so many countries it is very hard to count them all same with the States. Although we were very close and watched out for each other some people in my own squad I could not tell you all of their name now. However some are like a member of my family. Every so often you hear a term thrown around “brothers in arms”, such a true statement but rare. The armed forces way of life stateside or overseas it is much more than hanging out soaking up some rays someplace. The people you interact, support, and serve will remember your interaction for the good or ill forever.
I have been doing Realms since I exited the Army although much of my life has changed but there are many things you carry with you. You learn all sorts of new things you never would have thought and although you get very good with something there are always changes. People transition in and out of this game at about the same rate as the military but there are those you get very close to and even if they leave you never forget and or loose contact with. All the adventures, languages or runes, skills, and friends made are a huge experience.
Both myself and Henry Giasson Served with The 1st Infantry Division, in operations overseas, so I will close with their Motto “No Mission Too Difficult, No Sacrifice Too Great - Duty First!"
Andrew V. Disbrow