Last week we launched the "Heroes in Our Midst" / "Why do you Serve?" series with a post on Sam Sadler's award of the Alumni Medallion at The College of William and Mary. I am really excited to be getting underway with the first guest blogger, Coast Guard Reservist Rachel Polish (LinkedIn | Twitter).A little background as we get started: I have been mindful of several notions as I write about service, leadership, and innovation on this blog. First is that (as I heard the Coast Guard's Admiral Papp discuss once in a speech) "there are heroes in our midst," and second, that service is something that comes in many forms. Sometimes it is done in a classroom, sometimes it is done in a uniform, sometimes it is done in a hospital, and most times it is done in places and ways that are neither glamorous nor easily recognized. With those principles in mind, I am seeking to answer the question "why do you serve" in a regular segment here. My hope is that these very personal accounts will tell the very important and meaningful story of how those among us are doing extraordinary things to serve their communities, their nation, and in some cases humanity the world over -- that service to others is so important because:
- It is good for you;
- It is good for those around you; and
- It is good for those who you serve.
My mother always taught me the importance of giving back to one’s country and community. On holidays, my sisters and I often found ourselves sweeping floors or serving food at a soup kitchen to those less fortunate. My mother’s example demonstrated how important it is that we preserve open space and do more for the environment, taking into account the generations that will follow us. I even volunteered quite a bit for political causes and local charities before graduating high school, but was never sure where this burning desire to do more for others came from until I became an adult.
As a pre-teen, my mother once explained to me why she never had a large family. Her immediate ancestors left Poland, Russia and Germany when the situation became tense in Europe during World War I. Many members of my extended family remained steadfast in their desire to stay in Europe – even as Hitler made things even more difficult to be Jewish and free. Of those who remained, the majority of my family did not escape in time before World War II started. As a direct consequence, most did not survive the Holocaust. This reality hit home for me when my mother’s cousin, Harry Posmantier, one of three brothers who lived to share his personal account of this horrific time in our world’s history, sent me his book, The Last of the Numbered Men. Reading Harry’s heart-wrenching, yet hopeful personal account of the Holocaust and his life only further guided me on my own personal journey to give back and do more for the greater good of Americans.
When I was 13, I participated in a Jewish rite of passage known as a Bat Mitzvah. My mother – always thinking of others and striving to do more for give back – helped me to arrange a “twin” as part of the ceremony. At this time in our history, Jews were not able to practice their religion freely in the oppressive former Soviet Union. By being “twinned,” Anna, a 13-year old Soviet girl, was Bat Mitzvahed at the same time I was (albeit, virtually). However, I was the only one who was able to participate in the rite of passage without the fear of being persecuted. I still recall my strong feelings of pride, duty and purpose as I gazed upon the empty chair, draped with a prayer shawl, which was carefully positioned next to me as I read aloud from the Torah. The experience had a much greater meaning, knowing that I was not alone on that stage.
Being a woman, Jewish, strong (some say hard-headed) and having both a civilian and a military career is unheard of in most of the world. I wake up every morning, believing from the very core of my being that I truly embody the American dream. Some would say that serving in the military – especially with the constant uncertainty as a reservist – is the ultimate sacrifice. Being a part of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve allows me to contribute to an organization whose primary mission is save lives and protect our shores. As a public affairs specialist, there is no greater privilege than having the ability to share the good work of my shipmates with others.
I could not think about a more appropriate time to share what inspired me to join the Coast Guard and give back to this amazing nation of ours. What inspires you to give back? Why did you join the Coast Guard? I could not be more excited to hear from you and learn about your personal journey.Thank you for your service, Rachel.
If you have a great answer to the question "why do you serve" that you want to share, or if you know someone that does, please get in touch with me. I look forward to hearing from you!