Who is a Veteran who inspires you and why?

The natural answer is my father and grandfather. Both green berets that have seen more foreign shores than states, and have accomplished things in their lives that most men cannot even fathom.

But non-familially, I would have to go with David Goggins. That man is a real-life Terminator. You cant break him, and when he breaks himself, he gets back up and keeps going. When I feel like I cant manage something, I turn to his words: "Who's gonna carry the boats?"

My uncle Richard was a Vietnam Navy Vet. I remember him helping me with my homework in grade school. He took hundreds, maybe even thousands of pictures while on active duty. I admired him and even though I decided to go Air Force I believe his stories and pictures inspired me to join.

I know a lot of people will say their parent, however my dad is a veteran that really and truly inspires me everyday to be the best version of myself. When he married my mom, he rejoined active duty after years in the reserves because he knew that the opportunities it would afford my family were too good to pass up. He understood that it would include our lives become extremely transient and would increase his changes for multiple future deployments, yet he still made the choice and continued to serve well past his 20 year requirement. He taught me the importance of sacrifice and what having real integrity looks like. I would not be the person I am today without him. He was eligible for retirement in 2019 and decided to take it after serving for 37 years. And in his retirement he taught me yet another lesson, the importance of letting go and moving on. I think that my dad would have stayed in for another 10 years because he had wanted to be a soldier since he was a child - it was his dream. However he also knew that as my sisters and I got older, he wanted to be around more often. It was in that moment that he showed me that sometimes the biggest sacrifice you can make is moving on from your dream to be present for the people you love.

Pfc Robert Hystad. My maternal grandfather. He was from Norway and moved to England at age 18. Married my grandmother and when WW2 started they moved to the USA. When the United States entered the war, my grandfather enlisted to fight in Europe. He returned with a head injury and died 15 months later in a VA hospital. He was the reason I joined the army infantry.

My late uncle inspired me the most. He served as a military priest, and the way he carried himself—with discipline, compassion, and dedication left a deep impact on me. He’s a big part of why I chose this path

I had a lamentably bad bunch of examples in my life, with a few exceptions. There were a couple of folks along the way that seemed to be outstanding examples. They didn't strive to be that to show off--they just were great examples. These were the people that impressed me with their dedication to duty, and their technical competence. They've mostly passed now, or are likely close to it, but they all left an impression. I appreciate all of their input, and for the ones that are still here, I have nothing but appreciation.

I have two Veterans to thank. First, like many here on RP, is my father who taught me the value of hard work.
The second would be John F Kennedy. He taught me love and sacrifice for this great nation.

My Father. USN Served aboard the USS Fox at the tail end of WWII. Lied about his age to go in early. Four of his 5 boys all followed his footsteps and went into the Navy. I did reserve active duty trainings with him on the west coast for a few years while he was chasing out his 20. Retired Navy. Retired civil service at PT Hueneme CA Was still reservist at the gulf war but declared a key #3 man on the base for Naval ships weapons systems supporting the SMB block 2/3

My great uncle Ralph Priode(RIP), And my Uncle Kenneth McCall(RIP). I was too young to remember Uncle Ralph but heard a lot about him through family. He was on a B17 in WWII shot down on his 5th mission and captured by the Germans and spent the rest of the war as a POW. This year I connected with another person who's father was on the same B17 and he informed me about a book written by one of the crew members and it detailed the horrors my great uncle went through. My uncle Kenny fought in Korea during the Korean war and was the best uncle an adopted kid could have, he was one of the first to make me feel part of my new family. Because of them I knew one day I would join the military.

My Dad Lt Colonel Kenneth E Firster. He said the Military has the best retirement. He showed me how to make a Military bed. Then we bounced quarters off the blanket