Interviewed by:

Emily Guazzaloca and Lauren Kochanowicz

"We didn't finish what we started and you should always finish what you start."

~ Josh Straughn (23:21)

Josh Straughn's Story:

Josh enlisted in the Army because his uncle made a really deep impression on him and he didn't have much of a future. Training was very intense for Josh in infantry. They sleep deprived him, and made everyone become part of a group rather than individual people. During Josh's time of service he helped with the deployment and pre-deployment for the invasion of Panama and was in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, in Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

Panama was Josh's favorite place. The different wild life and having to sleep suspended in the air because of snakes was fascinating to him. However, he experienced some life changing moments. When he served in Iraq he witnessed the deaths of innocent children and women. He saw people being throw from helicopters and falling to their death. He also had a close encounter with death when he was setting up aid stations and performing security perimeters. It was an indirect fire that almost took his life. When the indirect fire impacted the wind got knocked out of him but he recovered and avoided death.

When Josh came back to the United States, he wished he had not come home. He and his comrades did not finish what they had started overseas in Iraq. Upon arrival in the US, the first thing that stood out to Josh was color. After being out in the desert for so long and only seeing everything that was beige he realized how colorful the US was. When Josh got back to his barracks he had little time for adjustment before the normal routines started up.

Josh's time in the army has now left him with mental scars and memories that will carry on with him for the rest of his life. His courage, determination and strength clearly proves he acted heroically. All veterans should be honored and respected for their courageous actions during their service.