without further ado, meet thankyou13's specially nominated 'service members of the month'

Andy is a young man I had the pleasure of meeting in the TSA line at the San Diego Airport. I bet him $50 that TSA would pat me down, simply because it always happened. Turns out he ended up getting absolutely interrogated, as I walked right through TSA, and after that, we began to talk about how life brought us both to the San Diego Airport, in the same TSA line, side by side. While Andy was a Cali native on his way to visit a friend, and I was a Florida native on my way home, it was a pleasure learning his story.

Growing up, Andy had never really thought about the military. Although his father served in the National Guard, and his cousin in the Navy, Andy had other aspirations as many of us do. But during his senior year of high-school, this all changed. Andy's close friend mentioned that he was planning on joining the military, and suddenly something clicked for Andy. From that point forward, he had his mind set on serving his Country, and there wasn’t much looking back from there. All of his other life plans took the backseat, and Andy was 100% sure of his new trudge towards enlistment. Andy enlisted in the United States Navy in 2018, and graduated later that year.

For Andy, serving in the Navy meant joining something not only bigger than himself, but something that he admired. Enlistment meant service, and sacrifice, and that was something Andy was attracted to. He became a part of a lifelong family when he signed those enlistment papers in 2018, and Andy reflects that although joining the military was one of the hardest things he has ever done, it was also a source of immense discipline, and character development.

While in the Navy, Andy was an Intelligence Specialist, and primarily worked on collecting and assimilating intelligence from different sources. He would then translate this information into briefs and assessments for specific mission sets. Additionally, while in the service, Andy was encouraged primarily by one of his head Drill Instructors, Chief Ham, and was additionally motivated by his cousin Chris who had his back from the beginning of time.

As of 2023, Andy completed his contract with the Navy and now resides in California where he runs his own business called Waterborn Workshop. WW sells Custom Lifestyle, Fitness, EDC & Working Gear, and has some really cool stuff. All products are manufactured in the US, and are made to help military personnel, fitness enthusiasts, or really anyone, serve a bigger and stronger purpose. Be sure to check out his stuff... https://www.waterbornworkshop.com/ !

Meeting Andy was such a refreshing reminder to talk to a stranger, to learn someone else's story, and to never forget what a beautiful Country we live in.

So with that being said, Andy, thank you for your service! The thankyou13 community cannot wait to see where you and Waterborn Workshop go!

Jordan is a young man worth mentioning this July! Often times Service Members get recognized when they retire, or hit a huge landmark in their career. However, it is just as important to give a shoutout to our young Service Members who are trained and ready to serve this Country. 

Jordan Velasquez  was born in New York in 2004. Growing up he always felt a call to serve, but wasn’t exactly sure how to respond to it. He considered joining the United States Army as a young boy, but as he got older, the Marine Corps caught his eye. Jordan was attracted to the unique challenge that the USMC presented, and thought of becoming a Marine as the “highest level of challenge he could put upon himself”. 

Jordan’s family moved from New York to Southwest Florida his freshman year of high school, and although much of his life was left in NY, his call to serve and challenge himself is something he brought with him to FL. Although Jordan was too young to enlist in the USMC in his early years of high school, he didn’t let that stop him from preparing. Jordan participated in JROTC and cross country/track all throughout his four years at Palmetto Ridge Highschool. In fact, Jordan’s high school track/cross country coach, Matthew Cevallos, is still to this day one of his biggest inspirations. Jordan recalls how Coach Matt pushed him towards new track records, and a strong mental mindset. Huge shoutout to Coach Matt! 

Two months after high school graduation, Jordan left for USMC bootcamp in August 2022. Now, while other young men and women simply try and survive USMC boot camp, Jordan did not see that as much of a challenge. Jordan became an official United States Marine on November 18th 2022 and was awarded the “Iron Man” which is dedicated to the most physically fit recruit in the company.

After spending some time at the Marine Corps base in Twentynine Palms California, Jordan’s next stop is Kaneohe Bay Hawaii where he will continue serving the Marine Corps, from paradise. Jordan is now 19 years old and an official 72-12 LAAD (Low Altitude Air Defense Gunner) in the United States Marine Corps. Jordan, congratulations on not only accomplishing, but surpassing your goals and thank you for responding to the call of service. The thankyou13 community cannot wait to see all that you accomplish! 

Lane is not only a father, but a husband, firefighter, and veteran. Lane is someone I had the pleasure of being next door neighbors with while growing up. At age 18, Lane enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served two tours in Afghanistan. 

While Lane was serving on his second tour in Afghanistan, his friends and fellow Marines Cpl. Rob Hendriks, Sgt. Ben Hines, and Ssgt. Christopher Slutman were killed after their convoy was attacked by the Taliban on April 8th, 2019. This was days before these heroes were supposed to return home. Cpl. Rob Hendriks, Sgt. Ben Hines, and Ssgt. Christopher Slutman leave behind families, goals, laughter, and a legacy. Lane and the rest of his peers serving with 4th ANGLICO attached to 25th Marines had to persevere through the immense loss of their fellow Marines, and continue enduring the harsh conditions of Afghanistan.

Lane writes, “Cpl Rob Hendriks, Sgt Ben Hines, and Ssgt Christopher Slutman…It was an honor to serve by their side. They were great Marines and even better men. Their sacrifice serves as a constant reminder to live life to the fullest. Tomorrow is not promised. These men were sons, brothers, a husband, a father, a fiancée, and all outstanding Marines. All of us here will remember your sacrifice forever and keep up the fight in your honor. Please keep their loved ones in your prayers. Till Valhalla”

After his return to the States, Lane became a Sergeant in the USMC and received a “Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal” for his service when he was deployed. Lane touched many lives during his time in the Marine Corps with his bravery, valor, and strength.

After his military service, Lane became an EMT and married his beautiful fiancé, Camila. However, Lane decided he still was not through with his service. Now Lane is a firefighter in Ft. Myers where he continues to use his God given talents to serve this Country. He and his wife Cami also recently welcomed their first baby girl to their beautiful family. 

Lane Lawe, thank you for your service. Cpl. Rob Hendriks, Sgt. Ben Hines, and Ssgt. Christopher Slutman, thank you for your sacrifice. This Country will never forget you!