He dreams of unity

I entered the service in 1981, at the age of 17, due to a sense of patriotism and also looking for a challenge in my life.

A high point in my career was seeing President Ronald Reagan up-close at Camp Lejeune, N.C., along with Nancy. The occasion was somber (I was part of his security detail, as he gave a speech after the Beirut barracks bombing). I was also called up to go to Saudi Arabia, after the invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein in 1990. I spent over eight months there, as part of Desert Storm/Shield.

I have a brother, Sam, who is 3 years older, who also served. We ended up on two bases together and even were part of the same platoon at one point, allowing our families to live close by. He was always the lucky one though. He got stationed in Hawaii and wasn't deployed during the Gulf War.

I do feel that Americans appreciate my service (I've been thanked many times), and I see that appreciation every year on Nov. 11 and every time I walk into the VA hospital at Lake Nona. I also appreciate the courteous and professional care I receive there.

My hope for America is to see it united again. We must remember that we are all looking for the same things out of life and for our families. While we might look different and have different backgrounds, we all share the same passion and dreams. United we stand. Semper Fi. Joe De Leon Kissimmee