-How did you feel when you first enlisted?
“I watched the mega hit movie TOP GUN and that was a great influence in my decision to join the Navy.
It was pretty scary when I actually signed the papers. But the scariest part was telling my parents. No one had any idea that I was doing this.....But I was so grateful they were supportive.”
-What was the one thing you learned while serving that has stuck with you even today?
“I learned so many things while I was in the Navy because I traveled all over the country and the world. The biggest lesson is probably learning that we have a BEAUTIFUL country. The song, America the Beautiful is so true. I grew up in Los Angeles and I always wondered why people wanted to live any where else - the weather is great year round, and we have beaches, mountains, etc. Well, traveling from coast to coast, especially during the 1992 Presidential campaign, I saw the beauty and vastness of our great nation. Truly, truly, truly, America is beautiful.
I also learned that as an American, I have a voice. I covered literally thousands of Presidential events, many were rallies. There was an area designated for the protestors with signs that disagreed with the president's policies. Freedom of speech was alive and well.
One last thing. I traveled aboard Air Force One on several trips. It took a while for me to believe that I deserved to be there. I didn't come from a military or political family, but there I was... a passenger on the presidential aircraft. Only in America does this happen. Truly, anything is possible.”
-What was your favorite part about serving ?
“My favorite part about serving - that's easy. It's the people with whom I served. They are people with integrity and a sense of service to a cause greater than themselves.
I made lifelong friends who live throughout the country. And learning about different genres of music (I never listened to country music until I joined the Navy) and learning and trying new foods (red velvet cake, hush puppies, black eyed peas, etc). "Serving in our military has greatly enriched.”
-Lieutenant Commander Brenda Garcia, US Navy (retired)