PANEL 9
HOPES FOR THE FUTURE
OUTLOOK ON WAR
Serving in the military forever alters a veteran’s life trajectory. In reflecting back on their experiences, what messages do they have for present and future generations? What is their outlook on war? Has their feeling of military pride changed? How would they evaluate the cost of service?
Rigoberto Reveron
Hector Garcia (U.S. Marine Corps, served 2001-2013), "Yeah, well it changed me for the good. I mean it honestly did. I feel like I’m a better person in my life because of what the military has done for me. Prior to that, the lifestyle that I lived was not the greatest. And not ashamed of it or anything like that. It still is part of me and who I am to this day. But it made a better person where I work at as far as my work ethic and how I look at life, appreciating life and helping me grow as a person. I was a very lost soul before that. So it definitely helped me out as far as being the person who I am."
Ryan Gatrell (U.S. Army, serving 2017 – present): “Growing up, my dad was always telling me about his time in the service. So I kind of had a good idea of what it was going to be like. Back when they were serving that was post-Vietnam, pre-War on Terrorism Era. So their experience was different than mine. They didn’t deploy; I deployed. But going to war: it’s not like the movies. It’s not all glory and everything. There’s, there’s a lot of sacrifice, and a lot of time spent away from family...And I don’t know, like I said many times, it’s humbling. You don’t really know what it’s like until you come.”
“So, I think it’s more the people aspect for me, because I never in a million years thought that, this gal from Lorain, Ohio (who, by the way, was 151 or 152 in her class of 300 people from Admiral King High School) would be where I am today. I think it’s just the people that I’ve met, and the hard work that I’ve seen them do, and it makes me strive to do better.” – Isabel Rivera Smith (U.S. Army and New York National Guard, served 1985-present)
"You need to hear our story. Not my story. It’s our story. And we all went through different situations. Again, I want to make sure that it comes across, I’m not unique. I don’t want to be a martyr. And that’s very important to me. The ones that are a martyr, are the guys I grew up with that never made it [back]. ...So I’m very thankful. I’m here and I’m very thankful. I hope to tell you a positive story and it’s not just about me... it’s about the men I knew." - Marty Martinez (U.S. Air Force, served 1965-1969)
Raoul Ceja (left)
