(RNS) Veterans Day reminds me that I come from a military family. I call myself an “Army kid,” although some people surely consider me an “Army brat.” Growing up in Alexandria, Va., I spent much of my youth at nearby Fort Belvoir where my father was stationed.
He served as an Army officer for 25 years, including six years of active duty, and achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel. Both my parents are buried in Arlington National Cemetery not far from Alexandria, and their shared grave is in full view of the Pentagon building that houses the Department of Defense. My late brother was also an Army officer and served at Fort Bragg, N.C., the home of the famous 82nd Airborne Division.
So when I entered the U.S. Air Force as a chaplain immediately following my rabbinic ordination, I simply traded my family’s Army khaki uniform for Air Force blue.
He served as an Army officer for 25 years, including six years of active duty, and achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel. Both my parents are buried in Arlington National Cemetery not far from Alexandria, and their shared grave is in full view of the Pentagon building that houses the Department of Defense. My late brother was also an Army officer and served at Fort Bragg, N.C., the home of the famous 82nd Airborne Division.
So when I entered the U.S. Air Force as a chaplain immediately following my rabbinic ordination, I simply traded my family’s Army khaki uniform for Air Force blue.
RSS Feed
