I grew up in Northern New Jersey, within fifteen minutes of the George Washington Bridge. New York City was a second home and when the World Trade Center was hit, I, like many other Americans, was furious. I was only 16 at the time, but still felt the need to do something... anything. I remember seeing the start of the Iraq War on the news; shock and awe. It was my senior year in high school and I knew now was the time to serve. My father was in the Air Force during Vietnam, so it seemed the logical choice. I made an appointment with the recruiter the very next day and shipped off to boot camp months later in October of 2003.

I lasted more than three years in the Air Force without ever going overseas. It made me angry. I volunteered to go over three times and got denied three times. I felt frustrated and bitter that I was stuck in the Midwest doing a job that I did not even enjoy. I was always the model Airman and I did my job well, but I felt guilty wearing the uniform at times after seeing what was going on in Iraq and not being there to help. The end of my four year tour was approaching rapidly. I could see the light at the end of the tunnel and then another volunteer opportunity arose. I was chosen and I'd finally be able to do what I set out to do in the first place. I was told it would not be easy. It would be myself and only one other Airman going. We would be the only two Airmen in an Army unit stationed in Tikrit, Iraq on COB Speicher.

Till' this day, I do not ever regret volunteering for this deployment. Apparently, my eyes were tightly shut for more than three years in the service. It did not take long being in that country to realize we should not be there at all. I did my job the best I could do it while I was there and am very proud of the accomplishments I was involved in. But do not ever think I was working hard for Bush or his causes. I, like the majority of servicemen and women over there, were waking up day after day and doing the best job we could do, for each other.

I returned home in December of 2007 unscathed and immediately began my out-processing and then terminal leave. I stumbled upon IVAW on the web one day and thought this could be another way to serve the country. Especially in a time like now with a presidential election coming fast, it is even more important to raise awareness and I think this organization has the most powerful voice. We were there. We know.