USNVet0811
39
Followers
I am a proud American Patriot, Born-Again Christian, US Navy Veteran, and Aspiring Entrepreneur. I may be far from perfect but I will always put GOD first and never comply with tyranny and satanic agenda's
Hello everyone — hello internet world, friends, family, and acquaintances. I hope you are all well.
A little bit about me, to be brief. I was born and raised Catholic on Long Island, part of the great state of New York. For those who might not know, Long Island includes Brooklyn and Queens—not just Nassau and Suffolk counties—so if you live in Brooklyn or Queens, you’re still on Long Island. While much of New York State remains blessed with mountains, fresh air, and open spaces upstate, down here the land has become crowded and congested. Still, I grew up surrounded by the water and the shore, and those early years shaped much of who I am.
I was born in January 1989, not knowing what life would hold. Childhood was simple and joyful in many ways. I spent a lot of time on the water—going out on my uncle’s boat or those of family friends. But one memory stands out vividly. My brother and I were playing a few hundred feet down the beach from where my mother was sitting with our things. We were skipping rocks and splashing in the water when I was caught in a strong undertow and a rip current. I thought I was done for. I was young, scared, and truly believed I was about to die. But God’s hand was on me. He kept me safe.
In that moment of fear, Psalm 27 echoed in my heart: “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me� (Psalm 27:10). That promise carried me then and has carried me through every trial since. It was the first time I understood that even if those closest to me fail or disappoint, God’s love and protection remain unwavering. That day marked the beginning of a life lived under God’s grace, even if I didn’t fully understand it yet.
As I grew older, I drifted away from family, friends, and God—sometimes knowingly, sometimes unknowingly. I made mistakes, took wrong turns, and wandered far from the path of righteousness. But God’s patience never ran out. “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love� (Psalm 103:8).
After high school, I worked for a year before feeling a strong pull to leave New York for a time. I initially sought to join the Coast Guard but was misled and faced barriers. With the help of my father and a Navy recruiter—who went above and beyond, even paying out of pocket to fix what had been mishandled—I enlisted in the U.S. Navy. I took my oath to defend the Constitution with full intent. That oath still holds; it never expires. “I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic� (Oath of Enlistment).
From basic training to A-school, then to my duty station aboard the USS Chosin (CG-65), my service was filled with struggle and growth. I endured verbal and physical assaults, alongside deep personal battles. But through it all, God’s presence sustained me. In A-school, I found community in the gospel choir and began attending both Catholic and gospel services. That was where my faith deepened. “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest� (Matthew 11:28).
Transitioning out of the military has been one of the hardest challenges of my life. The lifestyle of a service member—trained to eliminate threats and defend freedoms—is difficult to leave behind. The staggering veteran suicide rate, rising to over 40 per day, reveals the toll this transition takes. Our nation owes better care to those who served, but sadly, many veterans feel abandoned. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ� (Galatians 6:2).
Since leaving the military, I’ve faced health challenges from injuries sustained during and after service. I’ve allowed my health to deteriorate at times, but now, at 36, I fight daily to regain stre