Before going to bed last night, I edited a scene from Lasting Remains that has this car (a 1966 Rambler American wagon—and those who know him are saying his name right now) in it, so I thought it only appropriate I used the picture for my Veterans Day post.
I’ve been writing stories for as long as I can remember, and when I joined the military, I envisioned a career which would allow me to use my love of writing. (Actually, I wanted to be a combat medic, but it wasn’t an option for women at the time.) I was one of the dummies who believed their recruiter when he said, “Go into open general because all the specialty jobs are given out during basic training.” It’s not quite how it works, but journalist and photojournalist were two of the options—which I was told I couldn’t do because I wore glasses. Yeah, it didn’t make sense to me either, but I was in the middle of boot camp, so you roll with it. I became a type of analyst instead, and years later, a researcher and reporter, and then a technical writer.
I still think I would have loved being a journalist (or a combat medic), but I’m incredibly grateful that I landed where I did. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have met the wonderful people I did, my kids wouldn’t exist, and I wouldn’t have met my husband. And I wouldn’t have become the concise, detail-obsessed, and editing-happy writer I am today.
For those who have served or who are serving now – Happy Veterans Day and thank you for your service!
E.S.
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