Megan Ladesh interview by Eric Graden, 2013

Interview with Megan Ladesh; US Army 2009-2012; 218th Medical Detachment Veterinary Services; Served in: Operation Iraqi Freedom; Served in: Baghdad, Iraq; Recieved: ARCOM, AAM, MOVSM, Iraqi Campaign Medal Was an Animal Care Specialist.

Topics Covered: Military family, Joined Army during Vet School, Basic- difficulties, AIT for Animal Tech, First duty station Ft Lewis, First Deployment - Camp Slayer, Baghdad: Euthanasia vs spay/neuter, close calls - rocket and morter attacks; Returned home; Going back to school; Impact of military life.

1:33 Grandfather was in the military 1:54 joined the Army while at college for Vet School 2:17 Went to the recruiter with a friend 2:52 Signed papers to go to basic training 3:22 Going away party prior to basic training 3:39 Shipped to basic training 4:18 On the bus going to basic training 6:53 Option "free pass" to get out of the Army due to Drill Sergant 7:16 Wasn't ready to go home 8:18 Mom & brothers came to graduation 8:45 Family Day 9:02 Ft Sam Houston to go to AIT for Animal Tech 9:55 First duty station was Ft Lewis 11:35 Found out that unit was being deployed 12:37 Trained for deployment 12:51 Stationed on Camp Slayer, Baghdad, Iraq 13:09 Twelve month deployment 13:50 In Kuwait before going to Iraq 14:37 Arrived at Veterinary Clinic on Camp Slayer 15:48 Had to euthanize cats & dogs - over 850 animals 17:08 Would spay & neuter and release instead of euthanize 19:15 R&R break during deployment 19:57 Returned home with 2 AM Welcome Home Ceremony 20:25 Went on block leave for a month 20:58 Grabbed a bottle of water with out paying by accident 21:33 Unit area hit by 8 rockets at 6 PM near Christmas Day 22:02 Morter hit 200ft from clinic, could have died 23:11 In Army Reserves now 24:21 Going back to school 25:07 Never shot a weapon before Basic Training 25:41 The military "helped me" grow as a person 26:11 Life is better because of the military 26:51 Going back to school, it is all paid for, and a stipend 27:20 VA claim for a broken arm and stitches in leg 30:00 Mother said that "I" made a great impact as a soldier 30:12 Went to a Chief's game, cried during the National Anthem for the first time.