Is there a veteran who significantly influenced your military career that you'd want recognized on Veterans Day?

all realities who went before me...

I really did not have a Military career only did a three year enlistment back in the 60s,but I have to say the one person that stands out to me was a certain SFC Aubrey Smith who was my platoon sergeant from basic training through my tour in Vietnam ( long story) anyway he was a true professional and his lessons have stayed with me through out my life.

Well one is CTTCM Raymond Young. He was very smart, creative and appreciated someone to talk to, whether it was for debate or generalized conversation. He made me realize that those who are senior enlisted have gone through things that junior sailors have gone through or will go through. They know and understand the frustrations that can come about and that senior enlisted are there for any support or they can guide us to the right answer. He made me believe that it wasn't about being a bad-ass with anchors. He earned those anchors through hard work and appreciating everyone he came in contact with. He never yelled but he would always get his point across when needed. He held me under his wing until I went to my very first command. He even got me involved with my IW pen and helped me study. He wrote my transfer eval and it almost brought me to tears of how much time he put into it. That there is a well-defined leader and a person with heart.

The other one is still serving and he's CTTCS Jeremy Byrd. My first LCPO that helped guide me and took care of me literally. If he saw me upset he would ask questions, let me get out my frustrations and then he would be there to discuss what maybe the issue and possible ways to make it better. Like CTTCM Young, CTTCS Byrd had a way about him that you can talk to him about your personal issue (I trusted him that much) or with work issues. He would be there to listen. He also had a great since of humor and wasn't afraid that he was wrong or he was sorry. He made me his right hand man; I was there to get a task done and completed without having to ask questions. He treated me like I was a chief; giving me difficult tasks but I was always able to complete them. He nominated me for Blue Jacket of the Quarter and I won! He set me up for success every time I talked to him. When I left the command and he presented me with a department token of appreciation, I saw his eyes get watery; almost made me cry.

These two men are inspirations and they provide me a path to take to get my anchors (with due time). I model my leadership after those two senior enlisted.