November is a special month for veterans in that it includes the 11th day of the 11th month, Veterans’ Day. In the seven months that I have been associated with the Veterans Resource Center of Whidbey Island I have had the privilege of meeting younger veterans who have served tours of duty in the Middle East, Iraq and Afghanistan.

These young people, in many cases, have seen multiple tours of duty and there is a look deep in their eyes and in their demeanor of maturity beyond their years that only comes from seeing, feeling, and living things associated with war and combat.

When I try to comprehend the experiences these people have had, I am reminded of the haunting words of a highly decorated veteran from the Vietnam Era, Sgt. Benvinides, whose words are forever etched into my memory.

He said, “There is a saying among us veterans that for those who have fought for it life has a special flavor that the protected will never know. You have not lived until you have almost died. Veterans pray for peace most of all.”

I first met Greg Dalrymple Hickman a few months ago when I was introduced to him as an Iraq veteran. He is 33 years old this month, as he put it to me, on “All Saints Day.” He loves Whidbey Island and almost everything about it. He said sometimes it feels like a living, breathing being that communicates many of his higher values and priorities.

He graduated from South Whidbey High School in 1998. He is an accomplished man who has learned to work with his hands. He radiates an entrepreneurial spirit.  At one time or another, he formed sheet metal and was part of construction teams building the Experience Music Project and Safeco Field in Seattle.

At other times in his life he has been into music and operated a recording studio. He is familiar with the construction trades, can paint, do carpentry, roofing, and has been in the contracting business. He understands the dignity of work and the satisfaction of doing a good job. He has a network of interesting contacts both with military and civilian backgrounds.

He did one tour in the Middle East and then as he was “coming home” a sergeant called him in and informed him that he was needed for a longer time period. It was called “Stop Loss.”

Those words would come to have a memorable meaning. Greg’s service obligation was being extended by 18 months and he would be heading to Iraq for a second deployment. Those two tours according to Greg “shaped me, affected my life.” He was an airborne ranger, trained at Fort Benning, Ga., part of an elite group of Army soldiers trained to parachute from aircraft and work under the radar screen if needed.

Among his memories are assignments going from door to door looking for insurgents, never knowing what waited behind the next door. He has known fellow soldiers who were killed and wounded in action. He knows what it means to make the ultimate sacrifice because he has had friends who did. He’s “seen things that others haven’t seen.”

Now Greg is a father and husband and the greatest joys in his life are his wife and children; they have two. One is 3 years old and one is almost 2. By the time this article goes to press they hope to be welcoming a new baby boy into their family.

Greg brought a proposal to the board of the Veterans Resource Center for an idea he called the “Veterans Service Corps.” In his own words: “Service is the driving principle behind the concept. It should also provide an opportunity for healing and building a bridge to the community.”

He sees a talent pool of willing volunteers, veterans working alongside community members, to help those in need whether it be for fixing a door or spending some time with an older person who needs companionship.

“I believe in a higher power that is alive in all of us. I see God in my kids … love is most important.”

Greg is one of the 17 percent of our population in Island County who are veterans with skills and a desire to be of service in their communities. (Island County has the highest per capita population of veterans in the State of Washington and the third largest county population of veterans in the state.)

The VRC board is very receptive to Greg’s idea. Board members, fellow veterans and volunteers have indicated a willingness to help him with the many details that will be required to have a successful, sustainable proposal come together.

The Veterans Service Corps will need volunteers, veterans and others who are interested in supporting the project behind the front lines with skills specific to it including administrative, organizational, answering phones, paperwork management, as well as those who want to be in direct service and on the front lines.

This Veterans Day, isn’t it encouraging to know that many of those men and women who have gone above and beyond in serving our country are finding the satisfaction that exists in serving others in their communities after “coming home” … just as so many before them have returned to apply their skills in their communities?

The VRC is a nongovernmental charitable tax deductible Veteran Service Organization made up of volunteers. We are supported by your donations.

– Fred McCarthy, Ed.D.

VRC Executive Director

Veterans Service Corps:

People interested in being a part of this project or with specific ideas for needs that could be met in the community are encouraged to contact the VRC on its message line at 360-331-8081 or by email at info@vrcwi.com and leave messages for Greg.