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MCI Virginia Beach Campus Student Speaker
Emerging from the
Wounds of War:
Brett Shanor in His Own Words
I
was raised in Northeastern Ohio, the son of a postal
worker, and a registered nurse. I was a rambunctious boy
with horrible grades, prone to learning life’s lessons the hard
way. For me, school was little more than a social club where
I got to see my friends, and if it were not for having to stay
eligible for football I probably would not have attended at all.
You see, I knew there was a big world out there, with mag-
nificent sights to behold, so after pouring over my options
with the “vast wisdom” I had amassed by age eighteen, I had
decided that further education would only slow me down,
and joined an organization that would afford me the exotic
travel and excitement I so desperately sought…the United
States Marine Corps.
Over the next decade, I faithfully served far and wide in
multiple combat contingencies, having been both awarded
and wounded in the process. In time, the strain of back-
to-back deployments, the distance between my wife and
children, and the burying of multiple friends overwhelmed
me and I left the service a broken man. With the economic
downturn gripping the country, I took a job working for the
Federal government that once again required extended time
away from those I love. It was “a job” that paid extremely
well, but was not good for my mental health. Still reeling
from the emotional wounds inflicted in combat, I found
great difficulty in reintegrating to society, easily lost my
focus, and began uncharacteristically making a number of
poor choices affecting all of those around me. My life had
begun to spiral out of my control, and I realized it was going
to take something bigger than myself to enact change. Fi-
nally, at the behest of virtually everyone in my life, I relented
and sought help.
I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and be-
gan the arduous task of reclaiming my life. My recovery was
a slow, uphill climb, but day-by-day I began to see through
the dismal fog that had clouded my vision. As I looked
around, I realized I was surrounded by these great healthcare
workers who were truly invested in my recovery. It was along
this stretch of my journey that I knew for the first time what
I really wanted to do with my life; I wanted to be a nurse,
and help others back to their feet just as I had been.
I decided to leave
the Federal gov-
ernment position
I held as well as
everything I had
known to that
point in my life
and start down a
new path. On the
surface this may
seem like it was a
big risk, but I did
so because life is
too short to live
it at war with yourself and to live it unhappily. I entered
Medical Careers Institute on a Friday inquiring how to go
about enrolling. I completed all testing and paperwork by
Monday morning, and was subsequently selected to start the
RN program. The stars had finally started aligning for me.
I have shared all of that, to say this: At ECPI, I am no one
special. You see, I do not say this because the professors
failed to hug me, or because I was never invited to sit at the
cool kids’ table in the café. My comment simply reflects
my belief that each and every one of you possesses a story
as intricate and vibrant as mine. Your stories each possess
numerous examples of the exhilaration that can be found
in a moment’s triumph, as well as the soul-crushing agony
of a temporary defeat. Each of you have measured these
peaks and valleys and determined you would not allow them
to become an obstacle, but another challenge to overcome
along the scenic route on your personal path towards self-
improvement. Your tenure within ECPI University has been
no different. Whether you are a service member who has
completed your studies from halfway around the globe, or a
single mother with a book in one hand and a baby bottle in
the other, we are unified in our belief that the life we were
destined to live can be forged with the tools found within
the classroom, and one another.
Students in the College of Health Science grow very close
with one another during our varied programs, and having
witnessed student interaction as I have daily traversed the
campus these last two years, I would surmise it is no differ-
ent for any of the others. We have shared in one another’s
laughter, like family. We have consoled one another’s tears,
like family. We have challenged one another’s patience, like
family. And today, alongside each and every one of you, we
will cross this stage together…like family.
Godspeed to each of you as you step off to ascend the next of
your journey’s challenges…I will see you on the other side.
Photo Credit: Laurie Bateman Photography