You may recall a couple Instagram Stories I ran for Melissa. When we first met, she was running for the cover of Inked Magazine. I did so because three of my four uncles had served in the military during times of war. I respect anyone that serves or has served defending our country. While she is a veteran as well, mere days later, we discovered more commonality between us and became closer.

This is her story…

Meet: Melissa O’Connor

Youth

Melissa tells me as a third grader she told her parents that she wanted a baby brother. But they had a plan of their own and it didn’t include an infant in the home. Doing the next best thing, they got her a miniature Schnauzer which they named Maximillian (Max) for short. Admittingly. I laughed, when she told the story.

 Friends on the three major social sites, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. I couldn’t help but notice her videos. I inquired about her dancing. “I started dance at the age of three. Ballet and then tap and jazz until the age of 18,” she said. After high school, she became a Clinical Licensed Massage Therapist. She enjoyed her employment for five years before joining the Army.

‘My parents were not in the military,” Melissa says. “But my dad did have a draft card. He was not called. He was an electrician and worked for the Chicago Transit Authority, for forty-three years. My mom was a legal secretary who, also, taught paralegal work through the law offices she worked at.”

Army Life

I began by asking Melissa what had encouraged her to join the armed forces. She replied, “I joined the Army to serve this country, and I wanted to see the world. I did just that.”

And before I continued, she added. “My parents were proud that I decided to join. I will never forget my moms’ face when they came to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for my basic graduation,” she happily admitted.

While in the Army, she tells me, “My Military Operational Specialty (MOS) was 88M (Army Motor Transport Operator),” and adds. “I started basic and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Leonard Wood, and then got stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas.”

Melissa served from 2011-2017 and reached the rank of Sergent. And says her “First Sergent wanted me to stay in. But I knew I had to be a constant and take care of my daughter.” She was Honorarily Discharged.

She was told upon arriving at her unit in 2011, that they’d be deployed to Afghanistan. Later serving nine months, May 2012 to February 2013 there. “I did missions in Afghanistan and went to Andar, Orgun E, (a Forward Operating Base (FOB) outside the city of its name) and Arian,” (another FOB, a key economic center along Afghanistan’s main highway between Kabul and Kandahar) Melissa states, per https://www.army.mil/article/84616

“We were at FOB Sharana (Afghanistan).” she continues, when asked if she had been in any live action. “I, also, did tower guard which is to help secure and protect the base. The missions I went on our route clearance were great and one of the missions my vehicle was having issues right before going outside the wire and that mission did have action, so I missed receiving a Combat Action Badge (CAB). We did have some incomings while on FOB Sharana.”

“When I came back from deployment,” O’Connor says, ” I had the opportunity to work at 1st Brigade Headquarters and drove for Brigade Command Sergeant Major (BDE CSM) Kiefer and COL Reynolds.”

She later reenlisted and had the choice between Alaska and Germany, and chose Baumholder, Germany.

“What I learned while in the Army is that people from all over the U.S. and all walks of life and nationalities can work together as a team and get along. I have met the best people in the military. We can message each other, and you will get a response right away. You literally have great friends for life. And a place to visit in each state or country where they live.”

“I would encourage others to join the military if you want to be a part of a team. Meet people that you can call your brother/sister for life,” Melissa says.

Back Home

Melissa is now employed at a nursing home where she engages its residents in various activities. A position the Veterans Administration helped her find. And she’s a staunch supporter of Operation Underground Railroad and the Zoe Organization. Two groups assisting law enforcement agencies with sex trafficking.

“No one wants to become a single parent. I chose to divorce her dad and was her (daughter’s) constant before and have been ever since then too. She truly gave me purpose and I think I would be lost without her. She is my favorite good morning. And my favorite good night,” Melissa says openly after I asked her about being a single mom.

Our Connection

Like in many of my stories, there’s a bond that connects the interviewee and myself. Although I love connecting with everyone, that all too commonality made it appearance once more. And as I type this I wonder if there is a single living soul that isn’t connected one way or another to it.

That bond is ‘cancer‘.

Melissa goes on to tell me the story of two family members that have both fought the disease and essentially won. One is still receiving maintenance chemo. That is a win as well.

She didn’t wish to go further into detail, and as a survivor myself I fully understand.

“You have become a good friend, and I appreciate your insight and support,” she closes. as the disease that haunts us both, so deeply, has brought together two strangers once again.

Writers Note:

I would like to thank Melissa for her time in doing this interview and for her service to our country. It takes a special person to sign up for active duty knowing what’s on the line. Yet, what continues to amaze me are the connections we make just by reaching out to someone.

Melissa and I have been friends less than a year, as have many others that have supported me throughout my own cancer fight. And although I didn’t dig into it, she has been there on several occasions to cheer me on.

And to that I say, ‘Thank you, Sergent O’Connor’ for your support. That’s true friendship, and it’s been my honor writing about you.

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