More than a decade after leaving the Army, Medal of Honor recipient Clint Romesha still thinks about service. Not because he's wearing a uniform. Not because he's receiving orders. And not because he's reliving the battle that earned him the nation's highest award for valor. Instead, Romesha sees service as something that continues long after military service ends.
Taking the uniform off gives us the opportunity to continue to serve, Romesha told Military.com.
As the United States is at the 250th anniversary of its founding, veteran advocates say that mindset may be one of the military community's greatest contributions to the country's future. At a time when many Americans worry about political division, declining trust in institutions and weakening community ties, veterans continue to show up in their communities as volunteers, mentors, coaches, nonprofit leaders, first responders and advocates. According to Romesha and Jim Lorraine, president and CEO of America's Warrior Partnership, that willingness to keep serving is one of the defining characteristics of military veterans. "So many of us veterans just want to continue to serve after service," Romesha said.
Jim Lorraine, founder and CEO of Ameria's Warrior Partnership. (AWP)
