Due to the normal distractions of life, I haven’t had much time to think about my
military service until I was asked to write about what it means to be a veteran for
KCI’s newsletter. As I started to write this article, memories took me back to a
day in 1979 that found me laying in a cold, windswept, snowy combat ambush
position in the DMZ between South and North Korea. That day, I had a lot of
time to think about what led up to an incredibly young and inexperienced 21-
year-old freezing his tuchus off in that specific location at that specific time in my
life.
I guess you could say the military was always where I
expected I would end up. My dad was a vet. His
brother was a vet. My two brothers are vets. So
military service is a tradition in my family. By differing
estimates, only 5% of all Americans since 1776 have
served in the nation’s military. The two greatest
numbers of Americans in the military were seen
during the Civil War and World War II (Civil War
numbers are skewed because both sides counted as
Americans). But these numbers don’t tell the whole
story. Many Americans who served in the military didn’t do so willingly. The
draft, which involuntarily selected individuals for service, existed until 1973
when the US military became an all-volunteer force. With this said, I am proud
that 12% of employees in our company are veterans and 6% are service-disabled
veterans. All KCI veterans voluntarily chose to be among the less than 5% of all
Americans to serve their country and their fellow citizens. They all volunteered
to join and be a part of something bigger than themselves.
A quote that has circulated over the years says, “A
veteran is someone who wrote a blank check made
payable to the United States of America for an
amount up to and including their life.” But it is not as
simple as that – I know that snowy frigid day in 1979
did not have me thinking that I could lose my life or
that I would willingly give it up for some altruistic
motive. In 1979 and on the day I retired 37 years
later, it was my job – a job I took pride in doing to the
best of my ability. I am taken aback when someone
tells me “Thank you for your service.” I appreciate it,
but I don’t feel I deserve it. It was my job, and I did it
well, but I’m still here at the check out line in Home
Depot getting my 10% vet’s appreciation discount when so many others I have
known and served with are no longer here. Call it survivor’s guilt or unwarranted
humility, but I still feel that I don’t deserve it. I still take the discount, but I wish
those who are gone were with us to enjoy that discount as well.
Veterans Day started as a day to reflect upon the
heroism of those who died in our country's service
and was originally called Armistice Day. It falls on
November 11 because that is the anniversary of the
signing of the Armistice that ended World War I.
However, in 1954, the holiday was officially changed
to "Veterans Day" to account for all veterans in all
wars.
So, I close this missive with this thought - Veterans
Day is a time for us to pay our respects to those who have served. For one day,
we stand united in respect for you, our veterans. Please join your KCI veterans as
we celebrate and honor all of America's veterans for their patriotism, love of
country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
Mahalo,
Duane Nathaniel
Honoring KCI's Veterans!
KCI Veteran: Duane Nathaniel
Branch of Military: United States Army
Years of Service: 37 years
KCI Veteran: Jamison McAtee
Branch of Military: United States Air Force
Years of Service: 8 years
KCI Veteran: Alicia Bermea
Branch of Military: United States Navy
Years of Service: 8 years
KCI Veteran: Jena Mayle
Branch of Military: WV Army National Guard
Years of Service: 8 years
KCI Veteran: Clint Boit
Branch of Military: United States Air Force
Years of Service: 13 years active duty, 8 years reserve duty
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