A Tribute: Thank You for Your Service, Adam Erickson
Spartanburg, S.C., โ Growing up inspired by the legacy of military service in his family, Adam Erickson wanted nothing more to follow the path of service paved by his father and grandfather. This young man’s dedication to serve his nation turned into an awe-inspiring saga of bravery as he faced relentless challenges, yet pressed on unyielding.
Unyielding Legacy, Unfailing Service
“Both my father and my grandfather served in the Army. My father was in Vietnam, and my grandfather fought in World War Two”, recollected Erickson, tracing back his roots of inspiration. After high school, he decided to carry forward this family tradition and enlisted in the Army.
He began his service journey at Fort Benning, Georgia, in 2004. Shortly after, he was deployed to Iraq during the second surge, an event that was going to change his life forever.
The Deadly Strike
Erickson shared a chilling memory from his first deployment, “We were hit by an I.E.D., and I lost two of my friends in the catastrophe. The vehicle flipped over.” The incident left a lasting impact on him, etching into his memory only two months into his stint.
Continuing his service, Erickson was next deployed to Afghanistan in 2014, where he worked with NATO and supervised thousands of troops.
Wounded Warrior
But just like his previous deployment, his mission in Afghanistan was cut short due to an unexpected disaster. “I stepped outside one morning, and a suicide bomber detonated himself, damaging a part of a wall that eventually knocked me out,” Erickson shared.
The horrifying incident led to his medical discharge. According to Erickson, he knew it was the end of his active service. He was unable to perform his duty anymore, and as per his conviction, that spelled the end.
Beyond The Battlefield: A New Chapter
Despite the drastic changes to his life, Erickson considers himself fortunate, “I’m grateful for not remembering half of the stuff,” he said. After his service, he turned to education and is currently pursuing a degree in Audio Engineering. To him, documenting historical events through documentaries became a passion.
He also enlightens us about his struggle in adapting to civilian life, “I broke my back during my time in the army. Some days I appear normal, but on others, I can barely get out of bed.”
Erickson candidly shared his ongoing battle with mental health, admitting that some nights are sleepless due to nightmares.
Seeking Aid and Giving Back
Despite these grim circumstances, Erickson stays proactive about seeking assistance to prevent becoming a part of the harrowing statistics. Reaching out to the veteran resources and seeking help outside the VA through initiatives like the Wounded Warrior Project has been instrumental for him.
Being a part of the American Legion as a Historian, he found comfort and camaraderie among fellow veterans, finding a sense of likeness in the different experiences they all had.
“They might have not been where I was but they have different experiences. So, we can talk, and itโs more of a feeling like youโre back in the family again,” Erickson told HERE News Network.
A True Hero
Here at HERE News Network, we honour the courage, strength and service of Adam Erickson. From his contributions on the frontline to his ongoing battle with the injuries, both physical and mental, that he incurred during his service, he stands as a beacon of resilience. Adam Erickson, Thank You for Your Service.
