Roundup

Published: 11/11/08 at 1:33 PM PST Section: Features

While some people have been toasting to the veterans on Nov. 11, attending parades, or simply enjoying the day off, it wasn't until this year that William Melendez learned of Veterans Day.

"I wasn't aware of such an event," said the 25-year-old Iraq war veteran.

The holiday was initially called Armistice Day to recognize the temporary cease-fire between the Allied Nations and Germany on Nov. 11, 1918 before the World War I ended, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site.

Today, it is celebrated to remember those who gave a part, or even their whole life, to serve the country.

"You sacrifice a lot," Melendez said. "You sacrifice relationships. You sacrifice time. You sacrifice your youth."

With his 8-year contract with the U.S. Marine Corps. expiring in 2009, Melendez is looking to finish his associates degree in pre-veterinary in a year and a half.

Looking for a girl friend will have to wait longer.

Having a girl friend when he was first deployed to Iraq, Melendez struggled.

Besides the desire to come home to his girl friend, having no phone access also took its toll.

"It's really hard and I don't want to go through that again," said Melendez.

Leaving again for Iraq on January, a relationship is just at the back of his mind now.

Twenty-two year old U.S. Army veteran Eryn Burroughs had to sacrifice a different kind of relationship.

"I knew I could I lose people," Burroughs recalls. "But I didn't understand what that really meant until it happened."

Her teammate and friend Michael Sturdivant died in a Humvee rollover as they were transporting to luggage and preparing to go home in a few weeks.

"If I could, I'd give back every minute I had with him to his family," she said.

"They were so excited he was coming home. He was getting married to his girl friend. He was going to be a math teacher and a physical therapist."

For the first time, Burroughs doesn't cry but tears up as she remembers Sturdivant.

"Even with that pain, it's what we have to do. It's what we signed up to do," Burroughs said.

"To serve the American people, that's our job. If anything, you're just doing it for the guy next to you, so he can come home."

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