"No matter what you face, no matter how difficult the task is, it is important to keep moving forward and persevere towards your mission."
My name is David Anthony Esposito and after graduating from the US Military Academy at West Point, I served as a Lieutenant in the United States Army Infantry. I had several family members that served in the military and it was always a desire for me to serve my country is some capacity. I grew up in New Jersey, just an hour’s drive from West Point. During high school, I spent several summers at a track and field camp at West Point which drove my interest in going to West Point. During high school, I was just a regular high school kid, playing sports and working at Dunkin’ Donuts. Adapting to military life was certainly an adjustment. Through determination, focus, and working together with my classmates, we seemed to get through it together. We learned that perseverance and teamwork can go a long way in accomplishing any mission. I was assigned to 1st Platoon, A Co. of the 1/327th Infantry in the 101st Airborne Division. I was an infantry officer with responsibility for leading about 40 men in an infantry platoon during the Persian Gulf War (Operation Desert Shield and Storm). My experiences during that time were a defining moment in my life and shaped a great deal of my thinking to this day. I am very grateful that my unit was able to accomplish our mission and bring our men home. The men of our unit forged a friendship that still exists today. When you experience the highs and lows of an experience like we did, you build relationships that last. My military service has given me a greater appreciation for life itself and the freedoms we enjoy here in America. It has given me an increased sense of gratefulness and appreciation to all the men and women who so bravely serve our nation. My time in the Army taught me that no matter what you face, no matter how difficult the task is, it is important to keep moving forward and persevere towards your mission. Just one final reminder to all of us that freedom is not “free.” Everyone should participate in some way to help our nation continue to be a leader for freedom and opportunity in our world.
