STURGIS, S.D. — Some Veterans are inspired to serve by their parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles and some Veterans are inspired by movies or by recruiting commercials. Sandy Baldwin was inspired by the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001. Sandy was horrified by the attacks on America and raised her right hand and joined the U.S. Navy Reserve.
“I was able to give my country what I could at the time,” Baldwin said. “If it was just a little bit, I was able to give that. I thought that I could at least give something to our country. I was stationed in Seattle and went to San Diego for a few months.”
Sandy served in the Naval Reserve for eight years, while balancing her civilian career as a Nurse at the Fort Meade Veterans Affairs hospital, where she’s cared for Vets for the past 18 years.
“Absolutely,” she said. “That’s the best job out there, taking care of our veterans, from 20-year-olds to 100-year-olds.”
Sandy has been married to Dean for 15 years and they have six kids between them, including nine grandchildren. Sandy credits her service to our Nation as a driving force in her life.
“It made me stronger and just humble to the country and to our veterans that have served throughout the years,” Balwin remarked.
The Armed Services have had recruiting issues for the past few years. Many young men and women just don’t have the desire to serve the United States of America in uniform. Baldwin says military service is one way to serve and it will set you up for life…
“It’s an experience you’ll never forget, it shapes you, it grows you up and you get to see the world and you get to meet a lot of great people.”
Sandy Baldwin – another Sturgis resident that served our great Nation and continues to serve Veterans in western South Dakota. Our Nation honors you on this Veterans Day.
