Called to Serve

Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrew Crandall: I feel like, since I’m in the Navy, I can do my small part, help out the country and maybe make it a little bit better in the process.

Cadet Alex Fan: Few countries in this world offer as many rights and freedoms to individuals as the United States does. And I think that in order to preserve this, there must be a group of people that’s willing to sacrifice in order to preserve the rights and freedoms for their loved ones.

2nd Lt. Luis Gonzalez: The thing about being American, you see those guys, and as a kid, you look up to them. And wearing this uniform – I remember the first time I put it on at Basic Training. There’s definitely a lot of pride in it. I don’t regret my decision for a second.

Capt. Paul Cheval: For me to be privileged to the point of leading these men over in Iraq, and it was in a war zone, for me that’s an accomplishment I’ll never forget. And I can’t tell you how much it means to me, to be entrusted to lead American Soldiers that raise their hand and say, “You know what? I’ll volunteer to fight this nation’s wars. You can send me.”

Senior Airman Jessica Eastburn: The notion of service, to me, means helping your community, be that the community that you live in, or your military community.

Capt. Christopher Sercena: To me, service is something that will be embedded in my heart, along with the Soldiers that I serve with.

Senior Airman Christy Leyva: To me, service means protecting the freedom and interest of the people who call the USA their home.

Capt. Shawn Tulp: To be singled out and be called a hero, for me is kind of difficult, because I don’t necessarily think what I do is heroic. I think I take care of the heroes, and I’m very honored to be representing my unit in the United States Army Reserve in this role. And I hope to share my stories to anybody out there who’s willing to listen to them.

[End of Recording]