Must Read Alaska is seeking Alaskan veterans and active-duty service members who are willing to share their story with us and our readers in a new series called “Service to My Country.”
A recent op-ed by Army veteran Paul A. Bauer inspired this series. Bauer writes: “The problem is not gratitude itself. The problem is shallow gratitude. Many veterans do not need strangers to perform respect with a slogan. They often prefer real curiosity, human recognition, and informed conversation.”
We invite veterans and active-duty service members to send us articles sharing your story. You can use the questions below as inspiration. You do not have to respond to all the questions, and you are not limited to them. Please include the branch you served in and how many years you served.
Guiding Questions
What did/ do you do in the military?
How long did you serve?
Did anyone else in your family serve?
Why did you choose the service branch that you did?
What was the greatest challenge you faced during your service and how did you overcome it?
What was the most significant lesson you learned during your service?
If you could say one thing to young Americans aged 18-25, what would you say?
Requirements
Please follow these requirements for your submission:
- Word limit: 1,000 words
- Must be written in first person
- Must be published with original author’s legal name (no pennames/ ghostwriting)
- No foul language
- All direct quotes and data points must be cited (a link to source is sufficient)
- Have fun! Be creative!
Submit your story to [email protected].
Must Read Alaska says thank you to all our amazing veterans!
