As Another Veteran’s Day Passed Me
Veteran’s Day was last week and every time it passes by I get sad. I have made a lot of mistakes in my life. Especially when I was younger. Passed are the days when I would habitually compromise my safety, and beliefs just to get high. During the days of iniquity I would, of course, embarrass myself.
Now as a clean and sober 31-year-old I don’t regret any of my intoxicated missteps because they helped shape me. They made my experience human and gave me a perspective that I most certainly wouldn’t be able to have otherwise. The only regret I do have, is not joining the military.
Every Veteran’s Day that passes reminds me of my senseless abuse of my youth. I was nothing but a garbage can hiding behind the believable facade of a young man. Vacuous, vain and vacant I stood selfishly wasting that which is most precious; life. I could have been a soldier. I would’ve been a great soldier. The reason I wasn’t, is because I was too f**ked up. Plain and simple.
There I was, 19 years old and feeling sorry for myself because of my so-called condition. When I think about how many young men are spending their 19th birthday fighting for the freedom I so egregiously took for granted it makes me stare at the ground in shame.
Was I filled with dishonesty, self-will and fear because I was a bad 19-year-old or because I was simply a 19-year-old? I think part of being that age is being brash and self-absorbed. It’s a by-product of youthful naiveté. That’s why it’s all the more impressive that the youngsters in the military seem to divorce themselves from these self-seeking intuitions.
Veteran’s Day is a day of honor. It’s a 24 hour period of appreciation for those men and women that we cherish the most. Some of us don’t have that visceral passion to defend our country, and that’s ok. The problem is, that I do. I always had the desire, the respect for authority, the belief in our nations ethos and a heritage of proud American soldiers. All of that was wasted because I was wasted too. Every Veteran’s day that passes reminds me not only of how truly great our Service Men and Women are, but of just how inadequate I am.
This isn’t a pity piece, but rather a warning to young men who may be reading this. You should idolize and worship the brave individuals of our Armed Forces, and not the rock stars, actors and athletes that can be so alluring.
Eric
November 21, 2010 11:42 am
Deep….Love the piece Mike. I am 30 and feel the same way. I was that kid too just cared about the next party and was numb with drugs and drinking. You really hit the nail on the head on this one for me and I also feel the same for Law Inforcment these days as the men and women who would face danger for my safety on a daily basis how could you not respect that. So love the word from the heart Mike keep up the good work.
bethanyrants
November 21, 2010 1:56 pm
Mike, I love you and think you’re awesome and that the piece was deep.
jah
November 21, 2010 9:11 pm
than put your money where your mouth is mr catherwood and join up.
just a regular guy
November 21, 2010 10:07 pm
Thank you, is how I would like to start this comment. It feels nice to see that many young men in our country do take the time to think of these things. I am a former Marine (91-95) whom served in Somalia in ’93 and will never forget the experiences that I lived in the younger part of my life. It did allow me to appreciate my loved ones and life in general. Yes, I did have a very different view of the world and I guess the military will do that to you. I also had some apathy for our youth in this country at the time, but as I’ve gotten older and now have a son of my own I think most kids are just very protected and I can’t blame them “completely” for their choices, but this article shows that a fellow Jersey man like yourself has had some hard times and now is “maturing” and it’s nice to see. God bless Mike and keep up the good work; you maybe didn’t get to make an impact in the military, but you have a powerful medium that I hope you use to it’s full potential for good. Take care and thanks again.
Armywife
November 22, 2010 7:03 am
Thanks Mike it’s nice to know people still take the time to think of the guys like my husband over there.. At least you realize where you went wrong in life and you know to never go back there again.
jarhead
November 22, 2010 7:17 am
Mike it nice to hear your clean and sober. I joined the Marine Corps at the age of seventeen to grow into a man. A group of four friends walked into a recruiters office i joined my other three friends thought it was better to party it up. One died to overdose another is currently on parole for drugs and the other joined the army. all three could have done something better. don’t go chasing waterfalls is all i am saying
dennis
November 22, 2010 7:27 am
Don’t worry about it when you guys did drugs. I never did drug and i didn’t even talk to any one about it.
SGT USMC
November 22, 2010 7:32 am
Mike it is great to hear what you say and hope that more young men would realize that they can do great things instead of going down the wrong path the you, I and many other ppl went through. I was at the age of 17 when I joined and don’t regret it even though I did 2 years in Iraq it made me the man I am today.
natemecija
November 22, 2010 7:38 am
It’s always about you, ain’t it Mike? Ha, naw.. you’re alright. Good thoughtful piece, sir.
Justadori
November 22, 2010 7:58 am
Mike~
This is absolutely beautiful.
Sterwin
November 22, 2010 8:23 am
Thanks for that article!!! I joined the Military Reserve at the age of 32 because I didn’t get the chance of joining Active Duty Military when I was younger. I chose college and my current career instead, but it had been a big REGRET that I didn’t sign up to become an Active Duty Soldier. If not for the Reserves, I would not have had the chance of serving my country. After 911 my unit got activated several times and I ended up doing 2 tours in the Middle East. I am proud of doing it and would do it all over again.
SisofUSMC
November 22, 2010 10:25 am
Thank you Mike!! My big brother joined the Marines when he was 18, we grew up in a bad/confusing neighborhood & home life and it saved him from becoming like the kids we grew up with. He sometimes questions if he made the right choice, this is his 3rd deployment in Afganistan, he’s away from his 1yr old son, and just went thru a bad divorce before he shipped out… He couldnt be prouder of being the man he is today… I forwarded your post to him, he wants to say THANK YOU for saying what he wants his son to hear while he’s away. You too are to be commended Mike, not every man sees their faults & changes the outcome of their life. Congrats to your sobriety!!
Dani Dee
November 22, 2010 11:19 am
Extremely well written Mike. There’s a path paved out for all of us, while you may regret not joining the military, remember that you had your own war to fight… Keep being a role model for young people like us who are fighting that same battle…. And when you get old you can look back and know that you helped save lives too…. (ps. The big brother program is In dire need of men to mentor those youths looking for guidance).
A NAVY VET
November 22, 2010 1:08 pm
I joined at the age of 18 I graduated from High School in June of 1987 and left for basic training on July 20, 1987- 1991 and to this day I do not regret what I have done to serve my country.The US NAVY has gotten me my house and my job. And to all those people who think war is not the answer?! think of all the men and women who are out there defending you’re right to free speech.
Antonio
November 22, 2010 1:23 pm
I’m currently 18 and I also feel like I should join now, rather than later.
jason
November 22, 2010 2:27 pm
Well done and very humbly put. I had a chance to play professional baseball in my 20′s but always felt that if that opportunity wasn’t there the military was absolutely the way to go. I have such a deep respect for them and the job they do. Thanks for putting words to how any guy with respect for our nation and its wonderful freedoms should feel.
Nick
November 22, 2010 3:53 pm
Well said Mike! I myself am 18 and I am in the process of joining the United States Navy. I am set to sign my contract in the next few weeks and I look back and never will regret this decision I am making of serving for my country. Honor the fallen, Solute the present, and have faith in our future soldiers, sailors, and marines.
Adriana
November 22, 2010 6:51 pm
Mike, marry me:)
Bean is a Dip
November 22, 2010 7:05 pm
OMG-this is astounding, I never knew that Psycho Mike was nothing more than a superficial, vain, vacuous, peacock-strutting, Hollywood suck-up. A foolish court jester to Kevin & Bean; an idiot side-kick to KOM and a Loveline voyeur. Now I see with my very own eyes, that he is not an inebriated party boy and skirt-chaser but a serious, thoughtful. honorable man who realizes that life is more than just the next cheap hook-up and 12-pack of beer! Perhaps is is time to rename Psycho Mike to Psychological Mike!
sblal1
November 23, 2010 10:38 am
Mike it’s nice to see a different side of you not just the goofy one. You rock.
branner
November 23, 2010 11:18 am
not me….i was just pussy whipped, but i feel ya man.
El-Wapo
November 23, 2010 11:42 am
You can’t fool us, Mike. You obviously lost a bet and were forced to do this.
Pam Pierrot
November 30, 2010 6:57 am
Is this truly you, Psycho Mike? Your depth is unbelievable!!! hoorah for Mike….please do keep writting!!!! ~;>
Island Chick
December 3, 2010 4:57 pm
This has to be by far the best thing I have ever read on this site. Thanks for sharing – hopefully the freaking punk ass kids around here will read your post on veterans.