Page 8 - voices November
P. 8
COVER STORY
John was deployed, for the last time, for four passionate about things. I have a mind-set of
weeks to support Hurricane Katrina recovery just doing it. Not quitting! Being in war is the
caused from the deadly storm. last place to quit”, says John.
Transitioning back to civilian life went John is currently recovering from the
relatively well for John. The National Guard Gullain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). After a long day
is different from the other services. Instead of of work he’s exhausted and his balance is a bit
returning to a base with fellow soldiers, John off. Conversely, John’s life is filled with many
went from Fallujah, Iraq to home within three blessings. He recently got married and purchased
weeks. The most challenging part was being a home in Canby, OR. After finishing school, he
lonely. Especially after being with lots of guys was hired as an Operations Management Analyst
24/7 during hellish moments and then suddenly for NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation
back home. All alone! Admittedly, John recalls Services) Oregon.
that he tended to get emotional about a number Note: Gullain-Barre Syndrome is a rare and
of things. Since he was older when he came back serious auto-immune disorder in which the immune
and was no longer residing with his parents, John system attacks one’s peripheral nervous system.
spent most of his time with his fiancé. After serving in the military, John wanted to
Note: The Devil’s Sandbox: With the 2nd gain confidence in order to share his experiences
Battalion, 162nd Infantry at War in Iraq, by John and thoughts. Toastmasters presented itself as a
R. Bruning, is the story about the 2nd Ba ttalion means to achieving this goal while also providing
of Oregon’s 162nd Infantry Regiment (2/162). It him a group that would be supportive and
describes some of the fiercest fighting of the Iraq War encouraging. John shared that he remembered
and provides a detailed look at the reality of National struggling during his freshman year of High
Guardsman at war. Also, This Is War - Memories School with some depression, perhaps the result
Of Iraq, a Gary Mortensen film, shows live combat of being abandoned at the age of four until
footage of this same Battalion during their deployment. being adopted. He distinctly recalls hearing the
John has had plenty of time to reflect on his words from a speaker when in High School that
service and if any part of this experience will motivated him to have hope. Inwardly, John
be something that he’ll always carry with him. vowed to become like that and give someone
“I think different aspects and principals from else hope by speaking.
being in the military will always be significant. In honor of Veteran’s Day this year, John
Combat situations helped me to establish a sense was invited to West Linn Elementary to talk, as
of prioritization in life. What’s important and part of a panel group, about his military service.
what’s not. Additionally, I’m a little bit more This was a perfect opportunity to exercise his
8 ONE COMMUNITY
