Who is a Veteran who inspires you and why?

My veteran came home apparently whole, no missing limbs or noticeable physical injuries. But he wasn't the guy who left. He confused and scared me because he was confused and scared. I felt like he tried to control me, so I wanted to control him. He thought his buddies were trying to kill him, so he considered beating them to it. Our life was mirrors and fear. I worried that our children didn't deserve the fighting we exposed them to. But my hero never gave up living for us. He left a few times but came back each time. He needed us. He resisted harmful substances, addictions, and despair to be the father his kids needed. He still isn't perfect, but neither are we, and he's fought harder than anyone I know to stay with us, take care of us in the ways he can, even though I held down the jobs. He felt ashamed that he couldn't work, saying it was his job to provide for us. I told him he did provide for us by loving us while I worked. He's still scared and delusional every day, but he does the "models" our counselor gives us to shake down his thoughts and decide which ones are worth keeping. Our kids are grown and continually help me care for their dad. They are responsible, productive, happy humans because of what they've experienced, not despite the dad who helped me raise them. One is a PJ in the USAF. I honor my husband's sacrifice and thank God he stays off the street and under our roof, where I love him with all my heart.

I was inspired significantly by 2 men in my life that served in WWII. First, my father who r listed in the Navy at 17. He shared just a little with us about his time in New Guinea and the South Pacific. While he was a red headed Irishman with a bit of a temper, he was a hard worker, a man of integrity who stood by his word and stood up for the weak. He never judged people by appearance or background but by their work ethic and honesty. I also admired my Father in law who was a medic in the army, a Purple Heart recipient. He was a good, kind , hard worker, who was gentle with a great sense of humor. Loved his family and never met a stranger. He was a wonderful grandfather to my children and considerate of the needs of others. I miss them both.

My inspirational soldiers/officers were, as follows..SFC Alfred Kopveiler..passed, SP4 Carlo A Audisio, cur..living in Sacramento, CA..Cpt. Goldsmith, unk stat on him, 1Lt Havlic, 2Lt Gagnon, 2Lt Denham, unk stats on them, that was my 1st unit, 2nd unit..SSgt Jeffries, SGM of the unit 317th cbt. engr., the asst clerk o/t unit..can't remember his name,..there is a few more s/o .. but those men were a great inspiration for me .. and a enl soldier/later an officer last name Van Hook, was a man who understood both sides of soldering and leading as a man that did his job .. but also understood compassion, and those folks should have been promoted and rewarded as such..I know they will receive their rewards in due time .. seriously

Three veterans inspired me, and continue to inspire me. My father, SFC Sirak, a Vietnam veteran who did God-knows-what in the war, was a Drill Sergeant at one point, and ended up a Mess Sergeant with a degree in business and a Chef. The other two veterans come from my days in the USAF Fire Department: MSG Mark Palm and SMSgt Pam Todd. Their leadership and inspiration drew me out of my shell and allowed me to flourish as a firefighter and as a person. The lessons they taught continue to drive me.

There are many who inspired me over the years, but if I had to pick one, it would be a dad. He was a WWII Vet who served as a Signalman on an LST in the Pacific. Like so many then, he dropped out of school to serve as soon as he was old enough to enlist. He never talked much about those times, but he was a regular source of inspiration. He also encouraged me to Join the USCG instead of the Navy. It seems they spent a lot of time traveling with a USCG manned LST, and he was impressed with how the CG operated as opposed to the USN.

1SG James Mosely. He was real about everything. Gave advice, dos & don't, told us what to expect. He didn't sugarcoat it but inspired.