 "Photo: Rob Shalk")
Today the American flag looks differently to former Army sgt. Derek Henze than to many Americans. "On Veterans Day … it's more memories than a symbol," said senior Henze, 27, who spent eight years in the military and a year and a half in Iraq. "People talk about going out to the bars for their 21st birthday celebration. Mine was in a bomb shelter. It's just different perspectives." Each serviceman's experience is unique, but all will be honored today as the nation observes Veterans Day. Nate Hahn, a business major, is one of 183 veterans on the UW-Whitewater campus, a number that has been increasing the past several years, according to Jan Nordin of the registrar's office. In the summer of 2008, Hahn was in a helicopter with the Madison-based 147th Aviation Unit observing the flood-damaged areas of Wisconsin. Submerged roads, people without food, and houses underwater were what he saw. "They ended up calling us out to help sandbag and help bring food and water to people," Hahn said. "It was an amazing experience." Shaun Young enrolled at UW-Whitewater for the 2009 spring semester. Young served nearly five years in the U.S. Air Force, his final two in Belgium. "When I was in Belgium, I met my current girlfriend," Young said. "She decided to come here to Wisconsin. I've never been to Wisconsin. I'm from New Jersey, so there was a big step." While in Belgium, he inspected aircraft shelters which held nuclear bombs and became exposed to different ways of life. "One experience I liked was the fact that I was able to see a lot of different cultures, a lot of races, a lot of different people, religions, all that," Young said. "It affected me as far as not to judge anybody." Ashley King, who began school at UW-Whitewater this semester, also saw the benefits of cultural exposure during her two and a-half years with the U.S. Navy in Japan. "Being in Japan, obviously you interact with a different culture," King said. "I learned how to do a lot of new things. I learned how to be a more people person. I'm stronger, hard working, [and] more well-rounded." Hahn said the military also helped him as a person. "I've become more disciplined," Hahn said. "I respect myself and other people more. I also respect what people do a lot more." Hahn said he will go to Afghanistan or Iraq, but he's not sure when. "I plan on serving another four years," Hahn said. "I have a lot of respect for what people do over there, what people do behind the scenes." King said she won't go back to the military, but feels proud of the time she served. "It's a good feeling knowing that a lot of people aren't as brave as I was to go into the military, scared of war and everything," King said. Spending time in Iraq makes Henze appreciate what other students may take for granted. Clean, fresh-smelling air, for instance. And campus food. "It's awesome, I love [the food on campus]. When I went to Esker [Dining Hall], all you can eat; I was in heaven. I had two trays … It's really good food compared to the military," he said. This Veteran's Day the city and campus will celebrate, but Hahn, like Henze, has memories. "The people that I've lost, I'm going to honor them," Hahn said. "That's about the biggest thing." Young said he isn't sure what he'll do on Veteran's Day, but he is certain of his feelings about his time in the military. "Proud," Young said. "I can say wow; I can call myself a veteran."
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