Veteran and Local Author Shares Her Story

“Thank you for your service.” I still feel awkward whenever someone said those words to me. After all, I served in the Navy for only four years. I didn’t get to serve on a ship. I didn’t see combat. And I didn’t have a designated specialty.

What I did do is security watch, serve food in the Coffee Mess, wash planes, clean the offices and issue tools and equipment needed to maintain Navy aircraft. Nothing significant.

I also had fun. Travelling, making amazing new friends, going out every night to clubs or bars. And of course, Fleet Week. I was young, somewhat naive and my life in the Navy felt like a four-year party. So now, years later when someone thanks me for serving, I can’t help thinking, “But all I did was party,” as I sheepishly reply with a shrug, “You’re welcome.”

Recently however, a fellow veteran reminded me that every job in the military is important. We work together as a team. Some fly planes, some repair planes and some – like myself, make sure the tools needed to work on those planes are available when needed and accounted for when each job is done. Imagine if a mechanic forgot to pack up one of his tools after working on an aircraft engine. If there were no one accounting for every single tool during each shift, an item could be forgotten in, on or near a plane and potentially cause serious injury to the plane or to personnel.

So even though distributing and receiving tools seemed insignificant to me, it was actually a vital part of ensuring the safety of my team.

look back on my time in the Navy with fondness and I wish I’d served longer. Those feelings of nostalgia are what led to me writing about military service members. In my first book, Forbidden Kisses, Navy Lieutenant Ethan Parker falls head-over-heels for a woman he meets while he’s on leave to attend his best friend’s funeral. The stunning beauty offers him emotional support, even while dealing with a stressful situation of her own. By the time he discovers she’s also in the Navy and that her enlisted status means she’s off-limits according to military law, he’s already in too deep to simply give her up. He must decide whether to break both their hearts by ending their heated romance, or keep their relationship a secret and risk his career.

Happy Veteran's Day to all who have served, those currently serving and the military spouses and family members who love us.

Sha Renée

Creating stories on the pages where duty, honor and passion unite.

Find out more about Forbidden Kisses here or get a copy right now!

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