Whitman County Gazette - Serving Whitman County since 1877

It began with a phone call from my recruiter, Sgt. Elizabeth De Hoyos, two weeks ago.

The long-awaited news finally came about from the medical waiver I needed to enter the U.S. Army National Guard. I was accepted and would travel to the Sunset Highway MEPS (Military Entrancing Processing Station) location in Airway Heights on June 2.

A swell of excitement and anxiety swept over me in that one phone call.

The past seven months, I dedicated most of my time physically and mentally training for tests and military evaluations. Nothing else mattered to me.

All I wanted was this chance - I am...