Well, I was there. Your survey, whatever, won't allow me to check first responder AND military. I tried. I was a 2 year wonder, "expert", whatever, NYPD patrol cop when 9/11 happened. If you need me to spell out my day on September 11, 2001, I won't . Pick another person. My wife hasn't heard that story. I spent 2yrs researching and talking to the different branches of the armed forces looking for a way I could still be a NYC cop AND go overseas to bring the fight to them. I was 10 hours away from quiting the NYPD for the Marine Corps when I found my objective of doing both and enlisted in the Navy Reserve. The Navy has sent me to the Middle East twice since I enlisted. When I joined the Navy I never thought I would ever wear the coveted Navy Chief "Fouled Anchor." I do. I am a Navy Chief AND a NYC Detective.
Matthew was tattooed during Healing Ink NY by artist Brad Fink at Harlem's World Famous Apollo Theater on July 11th, 2017