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Because Kazuo Yamaguchi was a Japanese American, the U.S. Army initially turned him away from a recruiting station during World War II. Yamaguchi was later drafted into the service, where he developed a sense of duty, honor, and an appreciation for his heritage.

Paula M. Neira believes that her greatest service for the country and the Navy has come after she put away her uniform. Before she became a nurse, lawyer and advocate, she was an officer in the Navy. Neira had to sacrifice her naval career when she accepted that her gender identity didn’t align with the sex assigned at birth.

Marine Corps Veteran Jonathan Hagerman founded the Dirt Therapy Project with his wife, Alexandra. Their nonprofit helps Veterans by connecting through mountain biking.

In their song “The Same War,” Army Captain Zach Peterson and his wife Kassie wrote about the strain couples face throughout deployments and their pursuit toward the same goal: a happy life together as a family.

Paul Koester retired from the Air Force in 2015 after 41 years of service, the longest-serving pararescue airman in history.

Al Ungerleider, an Army lieutenant in World War II, took part in the assault to liberate the Dora-Mittlebau concentration camp in Germany on April 11, 1945.

This #OperationSong spotlights “No Cinderella” by Army Veteran Lory Gatter and Jenn Franklin. Gatter wrote about overcoming traumatic experiences.

Korean War Veteran and Purple Heart recipient Don Van Elzen finds happiness in eating apples, spending time with family and serving his country.

Colonel Charles Beckwith was a Special Forces officer who founded the secretive special operations unit known as Delta Force.

Rae Mary Leff served for 14 years in the Navy as a nurse, learning much about life while treating servicemen in Vietnam.

Gary Gordon was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions performed during the Battle of Mogadishu, which was portrayed in Black Hawk Down.

Marine Corps Veteran Daniel Dunn used music and art therapy to subdue his anger and pain at the National Veterans Creative Arts Competition & Festival.