A Life of Service and Self-Discovery
I had the privilege of photographing Luis Rosa Colon, Army Maintenance Supervisor through Portraits For Patriots®. He shared some of his journey as he transitions to civilian duty.
“I have always liked the idea of being in the Army. As a child, my friends and I would role play as soldiers, fighting imaginary wars like those we saw on TV. One day, my grandmother took me to see the war movie Midway, and I was deeply impressed by the action and the use of weapons. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to serve.
When I turned 18, I aspired to join the Navy, but unfortunately, I did not pass the test. Instead, I joined the police force, where I worked as an officer, engaging with the public and serving my community. This experience helped me learn and grow.
At the age of 30, I took the test to join the Army, passed, and began my journey as a reservist before transitioning to active duty. In November 2000, I went to basic training and later served two tours in Iraq as a Motor Transport Lead Maintenance Supervisor.
The Army feels like a big family, comprising just one percent of the population, which fosters friendships and camaraderie everywhere. Structure is fundamental; everything has a ‘what to do,’ when to do,’ and ‘how to do.’ Through my experiences in both the police force and the Army, I have learned to be a leader and take care of others.
This journey has also helped me discover myself. Being on the shy side, putting myself in front of people was a new adventure. I am incredibly grateful for this country and all that I have experienced.
Currently, I have been a supervisor in operations transportation and maintenance, as well as a police officer. As I transition back into civilian life, I am considering potentially rejoining the police force or continuing as a Maintenance Supervisor.
If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be to join the Army at the age of 18. It provides numerous tools, experiences, and growth opportunities. Although frequent moves can feel unstable, they help build character. The Army also offers great benefits, such as healthcare and free tuition assistance, which contribute to personal development.
Recently, while on LinkedIn, I saw some impressive headshots and reached out to a friend who mentioned Portraits for Patriots. He provided me with a contact, but they didn’t respond. I did some digging and found Alissa in NYC. Although it was an hour’s drive for me, I was familiar with the area.
Working with Alissa was a fantastic experience. When I saw my photo, I thought, ‘Wow, it seems like I’m another person!’ She truly captured my essence. She encouraged me to think about something that made me happy, and immediately, I thought about my grandchildren. The picture turned out wonderfully!”