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June 16, 2012 - At age 42, Spc. John
Liddle Jr., a member of the 822nd Movement Control Team of the New
York Army National Guard, is living his dream of serving his country
and honoring his late father, who was a Vietnam Veteran. Photo by
Army Staff Sgt. Michael Behlin
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BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (6/20/2012) - It's not every day that
someone gets to live out their dreams and goals, but for Spc. John
Liddle Jr., a member of the 822nd Movement Control Team of the New
York Army National Guard, the opportunity to do so is now.
A
native New Yorker who calls Long Island home, the 42-year-old father
of one is getting the chance to do something he's always dreamed of,
serving his country and honoring his late father.
The son of
a Vietnam veteran, Liddle is a 3rd generation soldier as his
grandfather also fought in World War II. He said that their selfless
service is what led to his wanting to join the military.
“I've always wanted to know what my father went through, and overall
just thought that joining the military was my calling,” said Liddle.
“I'm proud of everything my father did and what our country called
him to do. We volunteered for this, but he was drafted.”
Liddle's dream of becoming a soldier began during his time as a
young boy mimicking his father. He explained that during this time,
he spent countless hours playing with toy Soldiers wanting to be
just like the guys on the war movies and TV shows.After years of
working as a welder and playing semi-professional football
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for the Southern Tier Warriors, Liddle finally got the opportunity to fulfill his dream. |
At 36 years old, Liddle enlisted in the National Guard
as a motor transport operator, the same military occupation
specialty as his father.
Affectionately known as
“Lids” by teammates and friends, Liddle said that his
experiences with sports helped him persevere while dealing
with dyslexia, amongst other issues that prevented him from
enlisting earlier in life. He compares most of his life
experiences to football and feels that his dedication is
what has led to him being in his current position.
“When I get up in the mornings, every day to me is game
day,” said Liddle. “We fight every day in our lives inch by
inch, yard by yard until we reach the goal line.”
After years of not being able to deploy, he's finally
getting the opportunity by serving in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom working as an inspector for the 401st Army
Field Support Brigade's ammunition abatement mission.
Even though this mission calls for Liddle to operate
mainly at Bagram Air Field and not on the roads as his
military occupation specialty might suggest, he still feels
as though he's making a difference in Afghanistan.
“We inspect every vehicle that enters our yard and check for
ammunition and anything else that shouldn't be there,” said
Liddle. “We make sure our battle buddies are safe.”
Liddle admitted that while he's proud to be serving, he hit
a definite low point when his father passed away just two
weeks into his deployment. But even with his circumstances,
his father's words have stuck with him.
“Not long
before my father passed he told me to make sure I come home
to him and my mother,” said Liddle. “He said that he was
proud of me and what I was doing. Those words have stuck
with me.”
Liddle said that his future in the Army
looks bright as he plans to reenlist later in the year and
possibly reclassify as an infantryman. He also plans to
continue his career by becoming an active-duty Soldier.
And while he feels he has many years of football left in
him, he said that he may soon plan to retire while jokingly
admitting that many of his teammates once played on a peewee
team he coached years ago.
“I like to think of
myself like the Brett Favre of the semi-pro's,” said Liddle,
referring to the retired National Football League
quarterback.
Overall, Liddle said that everyone has
been supportive of his dream to include his current unit. He
admitted that every now and then he gets down when thinking
of his father, but that everyone rallied around him to help
him get through.
“I have my days that I really miss
my father, but my officers and NCO's here encourage me,”
said Liddle. “But I know that he's proud of me for all that
I've done.”
By Army Staff Sgt. Michael Behlin
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
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