Kennedy ROTC Students Meet With Veteran

Sgt. Kevin Gaston spoke to Kennedy NJRTOC students on March 28, 2011 about his experience of active duty member of the United States Army in Iraq. Injured in July 2009 by a pressure mine while crossing a wall with his unit, he sustained multiple surgeries and ongoing rehabilitation. He is currently being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Gatson has served honorably for a total of 14 years, seven of which were in the Mississippi Army National Guard and the remaining seven years on active duty in the U.S. Army. He continues to serve his country by reaching out to young students. 

Students shared several thoughts about the visit with Patch: 

Sergeant Gatson’s visit was a lot for me to handle. He was really proud to serve the United States Army and did such meritorious act. Even though he lost his legs and his finger he really didn’t feel that bad about it. Sergeant Gatson’s family and the community are proud of him for being such a great help to the country.  Overall everyone should respect military officials that would risk their lives to protect our nation.

 - Cadet Tran

When Sergeant Gaston came to visit our unit, it showed me that he is kind enough to take time out of his life and therapy to come teach us cadets about events that happened in the military. He was very kind to us in telling his story and letting us ask any questions, and he seems like a valuable and dedicated soldier to the U.S. military. I think his story was very inspiring, and even after being taught the dangers of joining the army, I’m still interested in joining. I hope his leg can recuperate enough for him to continue his career in the military.

—Cadet Eiskant 

Sharing his story meant to me that I should never join the military because I don’t want to get injured or end up dead. I was inspired by him because he showed me how dedicated one can be with his country and its team. He told us something that surprised me and: that if he wasn’t injured then he would be glad to be with his team and still being the military, he said that his team had become his family.

- Cadet Giraldo  

This story showed me that people who get injured in the line of duty can really have a normal life after getting seriously injured. He seemed really happy and didn’t seem to have a problem with his condition. Most injured veterans seem depressed in the movies but he seemed perfectly fine with his condition.

- Cadet Williams 

By Sergeant Gatson sharing is story meant to me that he was a brave guy who had went though a lot but he’s glad and proud he served his country, he is a type of guy who doesn’t regret what he did because he knew the consequences but did it anyways. He did it with great courage and honor. He’s a great inspiration to me and to my fellow cadets sergeant Gatson is consider a great hero and America  thanks him for what he’s done to protect our country.

- Cadet Vasquez A 

To be honest, I have never met a wounded warrior. It was a very nice experience to hear a story from the teller himself. What I found most intriguing was that Sergeant Gatson was not regretful of anything; his actions that day, or his commission.

- Cadet Flanary