Both my parents served in the U.S. Navy.

My grandfather on my dad’s side served in the Navy during WWII and great grandfather was in the Army during WWI. Two uncles on my mom’s side served. My oldest brother served in the Army. An uncle served in the Marines and a cousin served in the Navy. My parents have passed away. I have two older brothers. Dad never did talk about his service. The time I did sit down with my father, he refused to talk about his time in Viet Nam.

From a very young age I always knew I wanted to join the Army and serve with the 101st. With all of the Navy veterans in my family, you would think I would have joined the Navy, but being out at sea for months on end wasn’t for me. I joined the Army in December 1990 to go to the first Iraq war. All my friends thought I was nuts!! But the war ended before I got to leave for Basic Training. There were multiple Drill Instructors in your face all the time. I joined the Army to be an 11 Bravo Infantrymen. Training consisted of ground warfare.

Adapting to military life wasn’t really that hard. But it took awhile to get use to the physical demands of the unit I was assigned to. It was nothing like Basic Training and A.I.T. Barracks life wasn’t that bad. I stayed in touch with family and friends back home with the good ‘ole pen and paper or the occasional phone call.
I never got to see or experience combat. But the training still has an effect on my life. My Battalion was deployed to the Sinai Peninsula, Sharm El-Shaykh, Egypt for the Multinational Force and Observers, otherwise known as the MFO. Our mission was to observe the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. I sometimes wonder what would have happened, if the Peace Treaty Between Egypt and Israel were broken. Well I know all hell would have broke out. There were some locals that didn’t want us there. Plus there were people from other Middle East countries around the area that down right hated Americans!! So we were told to be aware of our surroundings at all times if we left the Base Camp. Plus we could never go alone. At times it was very stressful. But all the training all the drills kept us prepared. I always think about what I would do if our country were to ever be invaded, defensive positions, armament, supplies, and things like that. Military training taught me how to endure certain weather conditions and activities. Doesn’t matter if it’s been twenty plus years, my mindset has always been the same.

I later received a Medical Discharge due to an injury received during a training exercise. I was deployed in Egypt from August 1992 to February 1993. My family was happy to have me home. But readjusting to civilian life was very hard. For the first couple of years were the worst. Learning a new way of life and not having the stability I once had was awful. My greatest fear was not being able to live up to my family’s military heritage, letting the man to my right and left down. The worst part was having to leave the military and not being able to retire. This was and is the worst thing for me. But I learned from my military experience, that Freedom isn’t free! I do not regret going and would do it all over again, if I could. I have reconnected with old Army buddies, thanks to Facebook.

The men I had the pleasure of serving with, and to this day consider them my brothers!! From all the road marches to endless days out in the field living in the constant rain or heat or cold, looking into their eyes and knowing that they have my back and I have theirs is a friendship I am glad I have made!!
When I encounter protestors of war, I respond by saying, “Yes, you’re welcome!!” Even though they didn’t ask me to join the military and defend their rights, I still did it. When on the other hand, people thank me for my service, I feel appreciated! I joined of my own free will and didn’t do it for the recognition.
~ Damon S. Rosenberger
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) 2nd platoon C.co 2nd Battalion 502nd Infantry Regiment

We are very grateful to Damon for sharing his personal story and invite you to share your family military service here as well.
God Bless all who serve and keep us safe.

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This story is an excerpt from the book: www.VietnamAndBeyond.com

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