On Friday, Sept. 19, at the Brighton versus Hartland football game, Brighton High School honored veterans from the community in a Veterans Appreciation Night organized by BHS’s National Honor Society.
The veterans were asked, “What is your biggest takeaway from serving?” While some reflected on their experiences with pride, others described them as bittersweet or harsh.
Jack Marrow, a former Navy soldier, served from 1978 to 1984, during which he received two Navy expeditionary medals. Throughout his time away, he said that the hardest part was “being away from friends and family.”
Another former soldier, Michael Jones, also expressed the hardships of the experience. Previously serving in the Army in the first cavalry division in Vietnam in 1971, he said, “None of it [was] good, none of it.”
Despite the difficulties and pain that often come with serving, many veterans still view their experience as a source of pride.
“I was very proud to serve my country, and I recommend it for all young people these days, and it’s good to keep a strong [armed] forces network going,” former US Navy soldier Garth Cannon said. “So that’s pretty much it, you know. It’s always good to be able to serve.”
Cannon’s biggest takeaway overall was to encourage young men to join the armed forces in order to serve the United States.
Through recognizing and honoring veterans, the community was able to come together while acknowledging the complexity, hardships and pride that characterize the veterans’ experiences.
