Honor, Commitment in the Face of Adversity
At the wrap of a busy week of travel, I worked my way onto the tiny plane to catch the final leg in my flight home to Austin. I was surprised to find out I had been upgraded to first class–surprised not because of the upgrade as much as the idea that this sardine-can of a plane actually had a first class section!
Anyhow, as I came to my seat I saw a woman in military fatigues in the seat next to me… 
I had no idea the impression the story I was about to hear would have on me. I typically plug in my headphones and get work done on planes, but as Dawn told me her story I was taught a lesson in honor, commitment, and service in the face of adversity. And I was taught it by a simple, honest, and humble woman from southwest Minnesota.
Turns out Dawn was on her way to Iraq via Fort Hood. She is accompanied by her 21-year-old daughter and her 19-year-old son, each of them in the Army National Guard and headed to a 1-year deployment to Iraq (including 3 months of training they just wrapped up in Texas).
“I’m the luckiest person in the world,” Dawn told me. “I have three in my family serving our country. I consider it an honor for me and for my family.”
Dawn’s unit will be stationed at the Iraqi border with Kuwait. She and her daughter are in logistics and communications, mostly driving trucks she explained. Her son is a gunner.
There’s a lot more to Dawn’s story. She leaves at home her 15-year-old daughter and her husband. The family is expected to be reunited in April on 2010. Very fitting for Dawn, they leave for Iraq from Fort Hood around the 4th of July.
“The 4th of July is my favorite holiday,” Dawn explained. “I love the military and doing something for my country.”
It is not all rosy for Dawn, however. In fact, she was obviously torn up inside with the pain of leaving her daughter and husband at home. When she joined the National Guard in 2006, a unit from their area had recently been deployed, so she never expected to be deployed, at least not before her youngest was out of high school and on her own.
Dawn was fulfilling the commitment she’d made, honoring the choice she’d made three years ago to serve her country, and doing it in the face of leaving her family behind. I couldn’t help thinking if more people put commitment before self in many aspects of life our society, our country, our families would be all the better.
To soothe her distraught 15-year-old (I overheard her talk to her on the phone right before takeoff and immediately after landing in Austin), Dawn explained they made a commitment to each other that helped give perspective.
“We told each other that every night when we look up into the sky, even though we’re so far apart, when we look up we will be looking at the same stars,” Dawn said. The idea comforted both her and her daughter. That, plus reflecting on the fact that our experiences in life make us stronger are what help Dawn have perspective.
“I think all things happen for a reason,” Dawn said. “If I can look at it that way it’s easier. But it’s still hard. But we’ll have email, letters, and Skype. I just don’t know how reliable it will be over there.”
Dawn’s humble, candid, and straightforward manner of facing life head on touched me. And, apparently, not just me. The Delta flight attendant, seeing her coming down the jetway in her fatigues pulled her aside and brought her to the first class seat where I had found her on the flight–a respectable move by Delta.
To Dawn, the act was kind, but not necessary.
“I don’t need to be honored,” Dawn said. “I feel honored to serve my country.”
You know what-she meant it. I’ve heard, and worked with, many politicians who say the same thing. But, Dawn… well, I believe she meant something altogether different, something very much from the heart.
Thank you, Dawn, and thousands more like you who serve daily with honor and commitment. We can all learn a bit of how to face adversity and fulfill our commitments even when it’s not easy.
Dawn’s journey is one of genuine, simple endurance and service. Thank you for sharing!
UPDATE: Had some questions, so I’ll add more of the story about Dawn.
Dawn was in the Navy for 8 years earlier in her life. After she started having children, she got out of the military. In 2006, she was with her son meeting with the recruiter for the National Guard. She decided to ask him, “you wouldn’t take an old lady like me would you?” The recruiter knew she had been in the service and confirmed that, yes, in fact, they would be happy to take her as well.
So she joined at the same time as her son. I’m not certain when her daughter joined–we didn’t cover that part.
Nice story. Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks for the feedback, Leanna. You’re welcome. To me, this was a great example of honoring commitments even when times are tough. She is a very simple, kind, and straight forward lady. My prayers are with her and her family as they serve.
Thanks for the story, I really appreciate it since I am Dawn’s husband our youngest daughter Meagan (15) was with me when I read your story out loud and she wasn’t the only one getting choked up. We will miss Dawn, Kimberly (21) and Joshua (19) very much during the deployment but know they are doing it for the love of their country and we respect them for this.
Todd — thank you so very much for commenting on the story. I am so glad you found it and that it was something of value to you and Meagan. I found Dawn to be such a kind person who obviously has a wonderful family all committed to each other and their country. God bless you and your family.
Hi Maury,
That is a great story Maury. It always makes me a little teary to hear stories like this of committment and service to our country. Frank just got home a little over a week ago from Iraq, so I have experienced having a child serving over there as you know for the 3rd time now.
Love ya,
A. Patty
Great story. My daughter left on the same flight for Kuwait. She will also be driving, so if Dawn, Kimberly or Joshua run into Jenna, that’s my girl from Northwestern Minnesota. We are confused on why this war has to keep on going but are very proud of all the men and women serving our Country. Thanks to all of them.
Thank you for the story. Our daughter is serving in the same batttalion and so we have had a chance to meet many of the soldiers. Dawns story is typical of many, and it makes us proud that our daughter is serving her country with a group of soldiers, that are so dedicated. God bless them all and keep them all safe.
This unit you talked about is my son’s unit.
They are doing good down in Kuwait.
I really appreciate that you wrote this story.
The unit forwarded it to the family’s members.
My heart goes out to all the family’s around the States
that have their loved ones/soldiers fighting
for our freedom here in the good old USA.
GOD BLESS AMERICA and our SOLDIERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheryl Ramirez
Penny, Brad/Sherrie, and Cheryl -
Thank you for sharing your comments about your children serving in this same battalion. Your families are all doing a great service for the rest of us and for many people throughout the world. My brother and three of my cousins have each served in Iraq, my cousins having gone back for three and four tours now.
Please keep me posted on the battalion as I’d love to do an update every once in a while.
God Bless and God Bless America!
Maury Giles
Great story!! My husband was on the same flight and is in the same unit. Yes, God bless all those who made the commitment to serving our country. I keep all of them in my thoughts and prayers that they may all return home safely to their families. A big THANK YOU to all of you who have served our country! Lynn Wenzel
Maury,
I am in the same unit as Dawn and Kim. I consider them to be part of my family back home as I went to school with Kim, Josh and Meagan. My younger brother is actually very good friends with Meagan and they talk alot about us that have left. I consider Dawn to be my second mom, as me and Kim went through a lot in high school together. Thank you so much for posting that story. I will make sure and let everyone here know that we are making a difference for everyone back home. God bless!
Sincerely,
Samantha L. Meyer
I have worked with Dawn in her civilian life, and I can vouch that she is the real deal. You were right on in your description of Dawn’s character. Thanks Maury, for giving Dawn such deserving recognition. Wonderful story!
God bless Dawn and all, who are serving our great country.
It is very reasuring to know how many people out side the service hold such proud regaard to our loved ones serving in Iraq and other parts of the world. Our son, grandson and 2 nephews were activated at the same time and it was hard to let them go but they are all committed to serving their country. Our son is a MSG and was serving in the recruiting aspect here at home but is now serving in the capasity of a 1st srg in Irag. He left a wife and 4 childen from the ages of 4 to 13 back at home. When asked by his Dad a week ago if he was sorry he had to be there his replay was “absolutely not but it was still very hard leaving his family back home”. Our granson is also a gunner. We hear quite regularly from our son and yes skype is a wonderful thing to be able to talk and see our loved ones which helps to reassure that they are in good spirits and healthy.
God bless all our soldiers serving.
And thanks for the stories.
I’m glad and very thankful to all our soldiers. i hope they all come back safe. i miss all the soldiers i met even though i don’t know them very well. they all seem to be like friends iv had forever…(pallum)especially because hes such a great character and made me laugh. he defiantly thinks positively. thanks to all and Maury for such good support… i miss and love my family.
love always,
Meagan Rose Ramos
I am very proud of you and your family. Thank-you for your service.
Alan Onken
I went to high school with Dawn. She is a great person even though we have lost touch through the years. She was trying to get ahold of me right before she left and I had her phone number but by the time I got around to calling her she had left. I didn’t even know she had joined the Guards. I would like to get ahold of her. If anybody could send me her mailing address over there I would love to send her a care package. I just recently retired from the Air Force so I know what it is like to be deployed.
Thanks Dawn and your entire unit.
Ronda, Dawn has talked about you to me for a quite a few years (only good), if you would like some contact info please email me and I’ll send you it. tavanhe@charter.net Todd A. VanHeuveln
My son also is serving with the 1-151 FA Minnesota National Guard in Kuwait/Iraq. I am very proud of him and all the soldiers and THEIR families for the commitment they made to our country. I get sporadic phone calls/e-mails, but he does his best to keep in touch. The FRG I belong to is wonderful – these dedicated people keep the families posted and updated on what is going on. Since I am from Iowa, I am unable to attend the meetings they have monthly in the Marshall, MN area, but I get all the minutes from the meetings, once a month phone calls from a volunteer working the “Phone Tree” wanting to know how I am doing – have I been hearing from my son, etc. I can call them day or night if I have a problem and need help or information. These soldiers need be at the front and center of the community and I know Marshall has been doing a great job of keeping the community membes involved with supporting their soldiers overseas. Please keep all these wonderful soldiers and their families in your thoughts and prayers.