Five years ago, Heather Ingraffia was on active duty in the Air
Force, serving as a translator of Persian and other languages.
After serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and
Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 26-year-old Ingraffia said her
experiences gave her new perspective on veterans.
Ingraffia and about 10 other students from the Air Force Reserve
Officer Training Corps volunteered at the Veterans Administration
Hospital in West Los Angeles Wednesday, helping older veterans
watch a parade honoring their service.
“I am a veteran. It’s an honor to share time and
stories (with these veterans),” said third-year
Ingraffia.
Marching bands trumpeted their way through the streets of the
hospital during the 45-minute parade while veterans, many in
wheelchairs, cheered and waved American flags.
Many of these students are part of the Arnold Air Society, a
community service organization in the Air Force Reserve Officers
Training Corps.
Dressed in blue uniforms, the students stood behind the
veterans, sometimes sharing stories or excitement while the parade
passed.
“Their experiences are worlds different than ours,”
said 20-year-old Alan Millais, a third-year student at UC Santa
Barbara. Millais said he hopes to be an Air Force pilot and that
veterans are a valuable source of information because they have
already served and can recount the realities of service.
Many of the veterans had similar advice for the students who may
also become veterans some day, warning them to follow directions
and listen to their commanders.
Harry Leonard, 80, is from Birmingham, Alabama and said he
served in the South Pacific Ocean during World War II.
“Submit yourself to the rules and regulations. Give
yourself to the training, prepare yourself for your calling. Obey.
Train well,” Leonard said. “You just have to dismantle
all fear and put your trust in God almighty.”
Third-year Anthony Bernard, 20, also wants to be an Air Force
pilot and said it was important to volunteer and help serve the
veterans.
Bernard said he wasn’t concentrating on gaining anything
for himself during his time with the veterans, but instead wanted
to offer his services to help them.
Many of the students said they also hoped to serve active duty
at some time and reflected upon their feelings of going to war.
Second-year Zach Siebers, 19, said it was important to celebrate
Veterans Day because they have helped protect many of the freedoms
in the United States.
“They’ve served our country and protected our
freedom,” Siebers said. “No one wants to go to war.
(But) I want to be in the Air Force, and that’s part of
it.”