Every Nov. 11 on Veterans Day, we honor United States military veterans who served in the armed forces. It’s a day to acknowledge their personal sacrifice – putting country before self in order to serve. Turner?had the privilege of spending an October afternoon with five U.S. vets, who also work for Turner – Tom Grassia, Tamika McCollum-Williams, Dan Perry, Bryan Trahan and Sterling Wilson.
Three branches of the military were present to share their experiences?that day – the Air Force, the Army and the Navy. We covered a number of topics but what we learned in that small period of time was invaluable. Despite differences in age, gender, ethnicities and branches, their recollections of their experiences in the service were strikingly similar – from boot camp to military food to making their beds, something all five still do every morning. Each former service member left an indelible impression on us and each other.
For Grassia, one of the founding members of Turner V.E.T.S., the company's Business Resource Group for Turner's veterans, the Iran hostage crisis is what motivated him to leave the police force and join the military.
“If something was going to happen, I wanted to be in the middle of it,” he said.
McCollum-Williams shared her dual experience as a service member and as a military wife.
“My husband’s Afghanistan deployment was probably the hardest thing I ever had to endure. There were a few bombs that came into the base while we were Skyping,” she remembered.
Trahan, who spent time in the Middle East, Europe and Asia, talked about fighting in combat alongside fellow service members.
The youngest member of the group, Wilson, reminded us that veterans and the skills they obtained while in the military are valuable, especially once they return to civilian life. But what’s more – Sterling said he gained a better world perspective.
Perry talked about being exposed to a world of experiences and people that he never knew existed before joining the military. He also credits the Navy with two important skills he still uses today.
Turner?spent a little more than an hour with these veterans. But in that small amount of time, you could feel a sense of comradery among the service members. Their selflessness spoke volumes as we listened to their stories. So, this year, thank a vet for their service to this country but go beyond that. Sit down with them. Ask them questions. Listen to their stories. You just might gain a new perspective and come out better for it. ?
Tune into Turner Classic Movies (TCM) as they pay tribute to those who served with a day of films programmed and hosted by veterans from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy. Six veterans will join TCM Primetime Host Ben Mankiewicz to discuss their experiences in the military, as well as the films they selected that have been meaningful to them. Programming begins at 1 p.m. EST on Nov. 11 and airs throughout the day.