Veteran Spotlight: Sergeant Christine Zecker

Christine Zecker served her country in The United States Army as a Sergeant from 1989 – 1998. She enlisted on Halloween night at (21) years of age and was sent to basic training at Fort Jackson, SC where she was Platoon Leader for her entire class. “It was the first real basic training, on the verge of war. Lots of people went AWOL or had breakdowns. We were in lockdowns with newspapers and media outlets. They wouldn’t let us see anything that would distract us from our training” she remembered.

Sergeant Zecker’s first assignment was Psychiatric Specialist Training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX then onto Lackland AFB at the Audie Murphy Veterans Hospital where she worked in a Psychiatric Unit. “We were working with veterans and dependents and a range of others…..PTSD, drug & alcohol, depression…..learned a great deal there and forged some great relationships….saw a lot of crazy stuff too.” She continued. “Had this one man, he was a Tunnel Rat in Vietnam…..went outside in the courtyard and was smoking a joint……had a razor blade with him and was talking to himself……he had that look….it’s unforgettable…he was a person that couldn’t function in society….the war did that to him…..talked to him and got the razor blade from him but he really frightened me……you can’t see your best friend’s head on a stick and come out alright.” Sergeant Zecker continued. “On the funny side of things, we had this guy that all he talked about was knowing the president and how he embezzled all this money and stole this money……and you know what? The Feds came and actually got him.” Was she ever afraid? “Most definitely. I could throw a grenade or fire my M-16 no problem but jumping off a 60ft tower was petrifying……crawling under barbed wire while being fired at with live ammunition was equally terrifying” she recalled.

What was the toughest part of her job? Seeing people that were being deployed….we helped the Huey Pilots a lot with guided visualization….we tried to help the people that needed it…..our unit was trained to prevent PTSD, but you never prevent PTSD you try to help deal with it…..our unit was one of only six to specialize in PTSD” she said proudly. How were the holidays? In basic training they cancelled Christmas….It was a vulnerable time with the war……I was on KP duty…..cleaned pots bigger than me….I cried a lot……talked to my family at least seven times on Christmas Day…..a General came in and wished me a Merry Christmas, asked me where I was from…..my mom was a baker and sent our platoon cookies and presents” she remembered.

Sergeant Zecker also share a wonderful memory; “My dad would walk around town and take pictures of things and send them to me……mom send clippings from the local newspapers on people in town that were deployed…..it was nice” she recalled. What did her service mean to her? “It was the greatest privilege and honor aside from my being a mother….I’m very patriotic and love our country so much….still close to with the woman I shipped out to basic with as well as my unit. She is a proud mother of two children and a classically trained chef.

Sergeant Christine Zecker, thank you for your service to our great country.