There are two main reason's I hold police and the military in high esteem, and it's because of my Dad and my Papa. My Papa was drafted and served in Vietnam. For a long time, he refused to watch anything war-related or talk about his time in Vietnam. It wasn't until I was around 17 or 18 that he sat me down to watch a documentary about Vietnam and the place he was stationed.
It wasn't really important that I watch the Vietnam documentary. It was important to me that he felt comfortable enough to share his past, even without saying a word. From the time I was young to become an adult, my Papa showed me and my sibling the true importance of family, love, compassion, and the will to never give up.
In showing me these things, my Papa gave me the medals he earned while his time overseas. The medals only drew his message for love, compassion, and family that much closer to my heart. In those moments, I knew what my purpose was and who I have striven to be. I wanted to follow in the footsteps of a man who never gave up, did all he could for friends, family, and even strangers. A man that up until his last breathe put everyone else before himself.
I want to make that man proud of not only me but my accomplishments in life. Without him showing me the true importance of family and the sacrifices you have to make, I couldn't tell you that I would be here today.
Along with my Papa, there is one other that instilled in me, the importance of family, friendships, and bonds that last a lifetime. That man would be my Dad. My Dad had it rough growing up, and I didn't get any easier when it came time to college. My Dad's father gave him only one option, and that was to join the military.
My Dad served six years, six months and 22 days in our United States Army. Throughout my life, my Dad would always tell me and my siblings' stories of when he was in Cuba, Hawaii, and other places. Most importantly, he shared to us the family-like bond he and his buddies from the Army. My Dad taught me what it's like to be a man, and the morals that come from pain, tragedy, and sacrifice.
I've only really ever had my Dad and my Papa, these two men are the sole reason I am who I am today. If it wasn't my Dad raising me, it was my Papa. They both taught me the true sacrifice of life and what it is like to be a man. They both also taught me that through thick or thin, there is nothing closer than family, and the bonds that we create with those we risk our lives with for the better good.
For me, it is an easy path in what I want to do in life. My life goal is to help as many people as I possibly can, and be that change in society that impacts not only the community around me but the rest of the world. I want to be a catalyst of hope, strength, and change. Everything I do is to make the memories of those who have given their life mean something and to make my Dad and Papa proud of the man I become.
The Military and police force will always be a part of who I am, and one day I hope I can make a difference, for I strive to be the man my Papa and my Dad would want me to be.
