The Marines were coming again. They had been here for years fighting a war they say we had started. I couldn’t tell you much about that, but the sight of them was something I’d gotten used to.

The first time I saw you, I was afraid of you. Would you hurt me? Cause me pain or bring me unexpected joy?

A month after being in Iraq with 9th ESB, I was asked if I wanted to participate in the Lioness Program. Always looking for more challenging opportunities, I immediately said yes.

Growing up in Los Angeles, I hardly ever looked up to observe the night sky. The city lights, beautiful as they are, drown out just about everything else. No, my appreciation for the moon and the stars came from a much more unexpected place.