I Kissed a Veteran and Liked It...

2018-11-11T11:22:36-05:00

Maj Alea Nadeem and VA Secretary Robert Wilkie at The Nation: Served: Wreath Laying Tribute to the States and Territories, 8 November 2018

I Kissed a Veteran and Liked It…

I walked into a room full of World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam Veterans from a Southern Colorado Honor Flight that came to D.C. I was asked to speak about my experiences growing up in Iraq and how I came to join the U.S. military.

I was intimidated because of the generational gap, an all male veteran ensemble – except one female, and what is a Major in the Air Force going to tell this group of veterans? They faced war when it was at its rawest and I’ve faced war from a deployment in front of a computer. To make matters worse the Veteran I was seated next to said typically for Honor Flight speakers they bring in Senators or public officials. I didn’t say it out loud, but in my head I thought, no sir you get a Major tonight.

I made it through my speech and a few veterans came up to me after to tell me their stories of how and why they ended up in the military. I realized I relate to these Veterans better than anyone else. The generation gap, the majority male audience qualms vanished. Sitting in a room with a male dominated venue I never felt more comfortable than at that moment because all things were relative as fellow Americans.

We are living in a time where polarization is rampant, but one place I would argue that has been shielded is the military. It’s the one place, where I as an American of Arab ethnicity can walk into a room and men and women from all ethnicities, races, and backgrounds are my brothers and sisters. It’s a bond that beats all discrimination.

My journey in the military has been wonderful because of all the champions, mentors, and leaders who have helped me—and they come from every background you can image. At times I’ve fallen into the fallacy that if someone does not look like me or has the same background as me they don’t understand me or they won’t help me—how wrong I have been.

When I got back to my seat the same Veteran who said, they usually have Senators or public officials speak, profusely apologized. We had a good laugh and he asked if he could give a Major in the Air Force a kiss on the cheek.

To the veterans who came before me, thank you for paving the way and allowing this country to relish in freedom and opportunities. To my veteran peers, we have to continue paving the way for our future military. To all the veterans, past, present and future we will always be connected and have a bond that will transcend the test of time. I hope we can be the example for America of what happens when all walks of life come together for a common reason – Freedom.

Happy Veterans Day!
*The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of RallyPoint, the Air Force or any agency of the U.S. government.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Nov 11 at 2018 11:29 AM

2018-11-11T11:29:20-05:00

Excellent, as always, Maj Alea Nadeem. You hit the nail on the head. Thank you.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Nov 11 at 2018 1:14 PM

2018-11-11T13:14:58-05:00

Excellent share ma'am, have a great Veterans Day.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Nov 11 at 2018 1:49 PM

2018-11-11T13:49:10-05:00

Great read thank you!

Response by 1SG Clifford Barnes made Nov 11 at 2018 2:04 PM

2018-11-11T14:04:21-05:00

Nice article

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Nov 11 at 2018 4:57 PM

2018-11-11T16:57:06-05:00

From one veteran to one still serving - you are my sister, there is no color but the uniform you wear, there is no ideology other then defend and support the constitution, together, there is no gender because we are Soldiers. And like siblings are wont to do, we may smack talk each others branch of service, choice of how we serve, how we dot our "I"'s and cross our "t"'s, and even the pen color our respective branches utilize for official documents, the bottom line is, as siblings are wont to do, I have your back as no one but a fellow military member can smack talk, or give shit to you.

it saddens me that you had to put a disclaimer at the bottom of your post, in regards to speaking at a veterans function.

Response by Sgt Daniel Hobart made Nov 11 at 2018 7:32 PM

2018-11-11T19:32:20-05:00

Maj Alea Nadeem, As a Vietnam Veteran I welcome you with open arms, SISTER in ARMS. SEMPER FI

Response by SPC Kenneth Berry made Nov 11 at 2018 7:38 PM

2018-11-11T19:38:23-05:00

Ma'am, I will take a vet speaking over a politician any day. One that has gone thru some of what I went thru than someone who wants to hear themselves talk and who think themselves important. Maj. you and all my brother and sisters are more important and worth listening to than any politician.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Nov 11 at 2018 9:50 PM

2018-11-11T21:50:05-05:00

So many parts of this piece resonate. Each generation of veteran brings along a new chapter in a much larger (and unfinished) book. Thanks for representing our generation, Maj Alea Nadeem!

Response by LTC John Griscom made Nov 12 at 2018 7:22 AM

2018-11-12T07:22:41-05:00

Thanks for a great share.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Nov 12 at 2018 10:41 AM

2018-11-12T10:41:16-05:00

There should be a mandate that you post at least once a month, Major.

Response by SFC Charles McVey Sr. made Nov 12 at 2018 11:00 AM

2018-11-12T11:00:18-05:00

Excellent article Major Alea Nadeem, I can only say that I do hope more soldier, sailors, marines and airman read it and understand why we are who and what we are as you have.

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 12 at 2018 3:04 PM

2018-11-12T15:04:24-05:00

Major Nadeem, it is indeed an honor and a privilege to have served in the same United States Air Force as you. I would loved to have heard you speak. I'm sure you are an inspiration to men and women, boys and girls, of all walks of life and all nationalities that are united as citizens of the United States of America.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Nov 14 at 2018 1:08 AM

2018-11-14T01:08:45-05:00

Thank you for representing the military in an honorable fashion. I am sure that the Honor Flight was delighted to have an officer there with them.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Nov 14 at 2018 6:19 AM

2018-11-14T06:19:13-05:00

Does my own hand count? :D

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Nov 14 at 2018 1:40 PM

2018-11-14T13:40:29-05:00

Major Nadeem, thank you for this great post and you service to the USA.

I retired from the US Army in 1986 but I still get that special feeling when I am among other Veterans. There is always that certain something that connects us all.

If you don't mind, I wish to paraphrase you:
I Kissed a Soldier (1972) and Liked It... so much so I am still married to her after 45 years. She was a Sp/4 Common Specialist. I think her being in the Army helped her understand all the hardships and separations we all must face as we serve this nation.

Response by CPO Nate S. made Nov 14 at 2018 8:18 PM

2018-11-14T20:18:00-05:00

Major - Excellent. Civilian women can take a lesson from your honor in being not only a women, but an officer old guys like me would be glad to serve with and fight beside. Leadership is leadership - keep leading!!!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2018 10:57 AM

2018-11-15T10:57:45-05:00

Great Job! One day, we will all be veterans and interacting with those in uniform regardless of rank is something will energize us and keep us connect to the next generation. Thanks for sharing

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Nov 15 at 2018 10:12 PM

2018-11-15T22:12:55-05:00

Fantastic story.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Nov 16 at 2018 12:30 AM

2018-11-16T00:30:06-05:00

Well said Maj Alea Nadeem

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Nov 16 at 2018 4:29 PM

2018-11-16T16:29:11-05:00

Awesome!!!

Response by LTC James McElreath made Nov 16 at 2018 4:58 PM

2018-11-16T16:58:50-05:00

You probably made their day, many of which probably have no family so your actions made someone very happy and special. There are a lot of huggers in this world, so on their behalf I thank you! Thank You for your Service!

Response by SSG Jason Trammell made Nov 17 at 2018 9:15 PM

2018-11-17T21:15:02-05:00

Ma'am, very well said, thank you for your service.

Response by HN Kathleen M Peck made Nov 21 at 2018 6:36 PM

2018-11-21T18:36:59-05:00

Thank you, Maj Alea Nadeem, well said. I'm a Veteran (Viet Nam Conflict), who served as a Hospital Corpswave. It was my honor when stationed at NAS Jacksonville, FL to care for wounded sailors and returning combat soldiers. Thank you for your service and have a Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2018 6:53 PM

2018-11-22T18:53:31-05:00

At least she is able to serve equally here & not in a serviant role as in her former country.

Response by MSG David Densmore made Nov 24 at 2018 12:07 AM

2018-11-24T00:07:33-05:00

Thanks, we’ll said.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2018 11:56 AM

2018-11-24T11:56:28-05:00

Thank you for sharing your experience Maj Alea Nadeem ma’am. You thrive to inspire with every post. Thank you

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Nov 25 at 2018 7:36 AM

2018-11-25T07:36:30-05:00

The cool thing is my experience that uniform takes away race, religion etc... at that point they are great Americans

Response by MSgt John Butcher made Jan 7 at 2019 9:01 AM

2019-01-07T09:01:54-05:00

Well said and thanks for your service and respect to our fellow veterans.

Response by SPC Dwight Turner made Jan 14 at 2019 2:20 AM

2019-01-14T02:20:14-05:00

thanks for sharing I know veterans are special they cant take it away from us at times i'll be shopping see a fellow veteran my ex wife has to wait for me I reach out to hug them or just to talk to them bond between veteran and active duty is almost close if not closes your going to get have a real family !!! bless all whom served and sisters and brothers in arms old glory holds us together no matter how she waves !!!

Response by 1SG Ernest Stull made Jan 21 at 2019 8:45 AM

2019-01-21T08:45:15-05:00

Hooah very well said I salute you Maam. Thank you for your service.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2019 3:30 PM

2019-02-03T15:30:22-05:00

Maj Alea Nadeem thank you for recognizing the past,present and future veterans. And great life story.

Response by PO1 Roger Clites made Feb 4 at 2019 3:34 PM

2019-02-04T15:34:39-05:00

Awesome view from your perspective not only as a woman but as one who grew up in Iraq. My wife (Retires Air Force Medic) often says is very noticable is in the civilian community, there is not the comradarie you have in the military. When Veteran get together, no matter which service they served in, which gender or sexual preference; we all naturally bond together over are similar experience, background, service and patriotism. That enables us to work together, unbiaseds and unihibited on projects to help others Vets such as our local Equine Therapy Horse Farm for Veterans and First Responders, New Freedom Farm.

Response by SGT John Steiner made Mar 1 at 2019 8:05 PM

2019-03-01T20:05:43-05:00

Outstanding Maj Nadeem....Yes, we are one, we are Americans.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2019 12:11 PM

2019-03-06T12:11:19-05:00

Very well stated Major Alea Nadeem... People who have had the good fortune of becoming part of the Military, regardless of service, rank, color, religion, etc. all have one thing in common. Our love for our Country and the camaraderie associated with being non-discriminatory... I hope that never changes!

Response by SSgt David Gannon made May 9 at 2019 12:35 AM

2019-05-09T00:35:22-04:00

Beautiful!!!

Response by SSG Phil Miller made May 14 at 2019 10:48 PM

2019-05-14T22:48:24-04:00

Very well written.
Even though I served a tour in Afghanistan and two in Iraq, I still feel inferior beside a WWII, Korea, or Vietnam Veteran. Maybe humbled is a better word.
Even in the Infantry (and, no we did not have tents in my time), I feel we had far more comforts than any of those soldiers I mentioned did.
Thank you for the article.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2019 8:14 PM

2019-06-03T20:14:23-04:00

Gr8

Response by CPO Arthur Weinberger made Jun 10 at 2019 11:45 AM

2019-06-10T11:45:50-04:00

Major Alea Nadeem; have you considered being a model when you retire?

Response by 1LT Voyle Smith made Aug 11 at 2020 9:53 AM

2020-08-11T09:53:03-04:00

Those are wonderful words, ma'am. Thanks!