Veteran’s Day is a time to honor those who have sacrificed time and risked their lives serving the country.
Michael Boyle is one such individual who devoted his time and service.
“My time in the military has taught me so much: growing up, becoming a man, figuring out what responsibility was, how to take accountability for my actions, learning to self-govern, how to rely on myself as well as my teammates and discipline,” said Boyle, a Troy-native.
Originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado, Boyle served in the Army and Army National Guard from 1988 to 1992. He describes the whirlpool of emotions he felt as he went off to basic training at just 17 years old, leaving his family for the first time in his life.
“I remember being petrified the night before I left,” said Boyle. “When I landed, I was with 17, 18 and 19-year-olds who all felt the same way.
“You immediately learn to rely on each other.”
After training, Boyle was stationed in Germany and the Persian Gulf. After he served his time, he went to Auburn University, where he majored in criminal justice. He later went to law school in Montgomery, Alabama.
Boyle went on to serve the national guard for another 12 years. One of the most lasting takeaways from his time in the military, he said, are lifelong friendships.
“You build a support system within the military and with your friends,” Boyle said. “That bond is solid.
“We may not talk every day, but we’re always there for each other. We check on each other and make sure everyone’s doing ok.”
Many of the experiences veterans have when they serve have a lasting impact, which can take a toll on their mental health. Boyle said it’s important to offer them a support system, so they feel seen in their struggles.
“They may make it back physically, but mentally, they leave a large piece of them overseas,” Boyle said. “A lot of veterans don’t want to talk about it.
“They don’t want to admit there’s an issue or that they’re struggling. We need to let them know that it’s ok to have those struggles, to fight those battles and there are people here to help them.”
Today, Boyle lives in Troy, where he serves as security manager at Lockheed Martin. He encourages people to support veterans every day of the year, not just on Veteran’s Day.
“Parades on Veterans Day are nice, but there’s 364 other days in the year that veterans struggle,” Boyle said. “Somebody who’s willing to set aside years of their life to protect our country, when they get back, it’s our duty to protect them and our country’s duty to take care of them.”
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