http://www.yourwilliamson.com/veterans-we-salute-you/
By Andrea Davis & Anna Robertson
Aubrey Williams is a United States Army Captain. Being a member of the military is a big part of her family. “My family has a rich history of military service. My fifth great-grandfather served in the American Revolution. My grandfather served in World War II. My other grandfather was an officer in the South Korean Army. My father was a career Army officer,” says Aubrey.
Aubrey attended West Point from 2003 to 2007 and upon graduation she attended Adjutant General’s Corps Officer Basic Course at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. “I reported to Fort Stewart, Georgia, 3rd Infantry Division, in December 2007,” she says. “I was assigned to 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team. I deployed to Ar Ramadi, Iraq for three months in 2008. I deployed again to Baghdad, Iraq, for twelve months from December 2009 to December 2010. I spent most of my time as a Battalion S1 and Adjutant, managing personnel, postal and casualty operations for my unit, as well as serving my Battalion Commander. My active duty service was from 2007 to 2012.”
“Being a veteran, to me, means being a part of my country’s past and future. I had the privilege of continuing the legacy of those who served before me, and I feel I was part of influencing the future too…Being a veteran also means being part of a unique minority of the population. These days, such a small percentage of people serve, so the average citizen is pretty far removed from the experience. In World War II or the Vietnam Era, a greater percentage of people served, so there was a greater understanding of what it entailed, what it meant,” Aubrey explains.
Aubrey feels that for those who have served all have this previous chapter of their lives. “In my head, it plays back a lot like a movie. Now, I work in a corporate office. I wear regular clothes. I come home to my husband and two cats. It is very surreal to have lived this ‘normal’ lifestyle for the past few years after spending most of my adult life thus far in uniforms.”
On Memorial Day, Aubrey reflects like many, but also with a viewpoint that most of us are not familiar with. She explains, “I remember those friends I’ve lost in service. On Veterans Day, I try to honor those who’ve served and are currently serving. I always call my father, who is one of my favorite veterans. I look through old photos from West Point and my time with 3rd ID. After the parade in Franklin, our Legion post will be visiting Veterans in nursing homes. I love spending time with other veterans to remind myself that once a veteran, always a veteran.”
Aubrey has served our country and continues to serve our community, as well. She is the 1st Vice Regent of Sarah Polk Chapter of the Tennessee Daughters of the American Revolution, is the 2nd Vice Commander of American Legion Post 22 in Franklin and recently started connecting with the local alumni network for West Point.
