Thank you, veterans

I want to take this space this week to say thank you to all the veterans that have served in the military. I would also like to send Otis Kath, a World War II veteran of our area, a thank you. Your service in the military not only kept us safe but kept independence, liberty and freedom safe.

It’s not everyday you see a World War II veteran, unfortunately I didn’t know he was. I’ve seen Otis around town in Colby but never did I know we had a World War II veteran around our area. Thank you again, Otis, for being our hero.

As an American citizen I cannot tell you how thankful I am. I was telling people all weekend after the Legion’s 100th anniversary. I told my Dad, my brother and my coworker Martha that we should be thanking veterans more than just one day a year. I am going to start saying thank you all the time. I am very passionate about the military and would have joined if not due to their high health restrictions.

I wish I was healthy enough, but I am a free, independent, dream seeking young man and that’s good enough. That is something I can say thank you for everyday.

I go through this phase where I am like “I am free.” “I can pick and choose what I do and not do.” “I can choose what I like and don’t like.”

My mentor Ross said you get to see some of the coolest things during this job. I agree, as this Saturday celebration was definitely cool.

There was a meal prayer, a meal, and I even got some history about the post that I shared in my feature. The coolest part was celebrating with everyone Otis’ long standing membership in the post. We were all there for the 100th anniversary but recognizing an individual of this area was my favorite part of the anniversary.

The Legion members set up a spot to look at old relics and weapons from World War II. An old gun, a sword, an old water bottle, a shovel, and a big picture of Otis’s division. I took a picture of all the items, but the picture didn’t turn out the way I wanted. Also, it was on a pool table so the green didn’t make for a good background with the camera above and the lens facing down. I couldn’t see through the peep hole to take a shot so I was taking blind shots. The more shots I took the more I gave up and decided it wasn’t good enough to make the paper anyways.

As I grew up, my passion for the military has grown as well. It all started with my great-grandpa Richard Reis. He is a veteran from the Korean War. I also have three uncles that served while I was alive and I remember them coming home: Robert Esselman (we call him Bobby), Kevin Esselman (they’re twins) and last but not least Kenny Esselman.

Bobby and Kevin came home together, while Kenny was discharged due to injuries.

When they left they were all a bunch of knuckleheads. But, when they got back they were quiet and hard-headed.

Bobby sustained damage during the war. A grenade was thrown a few feet from him and went off. Blowing him back, paralyzing the left side of his body and face. It was tragic when he came home.

Truthfully I didn’t know what to say to him when he got home. It hurt his relationship with people because he could hardly talk or walk. His ex-wife, my grandma and many other family members took care of him during his time of need. He is healthy and happy now. He used to do karate and has recently got remarried.

Kenny was discharged due to his ankle. I’m not 100 percent sure what happened. But I know he was never in any conflict. He is also healthy now, engaged and works as a nurse.

BRANDON’S

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BRANDON L EA

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