FALMOUNTH, Mass. — Shy Ann Jackson served her country in the Army National Guard as a private from 2014 to 2019. 

 

Born in Falmouth, she entered basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., in August 2014 after graduating from Mashpee High School. 

 

"I initially thought, if I can do it, anyone can. ... I had an amazing time there," she said.

 

Jackson said she played sports in high school but "nothing came close to boot camp." It was also her first time away from home and her parents and her first time on an airplane. 

 

Her first assignment would take her right down the road to Joint Base Cape Cod, where she served in an aviation unit. 

 

"One of my duties was to serve as a chaplain's assistant ... try to create an awareness for the office and let fellow soldiers know of our resources and what we had," she said. "I was also just a normal soldier and had to learn an abundance of skills." 

 

I asked her if she was ever involved in conducting services for a fallen soldier or veteran and she spoke of the emotion of the ceremony. 

 

"First and foremost, it's an honor. You want to instill great honor in any service for a fallen soldier. My grandfather was

a Marine that passed away during my service ... his request was to have me stand guard during the wake and ceremony," Jackson said. "You can't let emotion get in your way when you're doing this. People want to shake your hand and talk to you but you have to stay focused and do your duty."

 

How were the holidays? "They were nice. My first Thanksgiving was in boot camp so I spent it with the family we had created."

 

She also spoke of some of the duties she was involved with such as putting wreaths on the graves of veterans at the National Cemetery in Bourne. 

 

"Again, it's just an honor, very rewarding," she said. "I have two grandparents buried there so it really gives a whole different meaning."

 

Jackson also spoke of how high-priority things got at the base when President Barack Obama vacationed on Martha's Vineyard. 

 

"To see the president's crew, Secret Service detail, snipers — and to have Air Force One parked in the hangar of your aviation unit was such a great experience," she continued. "One of the most memorable times I had was when they flew us from JBCC to a base in Vermont for training. They flew us in Blackhawks, so close to the ground, and took us up to a mountain to a whole arsenal of guns — 50-cals, rocket launchers, M-16s — it was awesome ...

 

"One of the big things I tried to do in service was learn. I hung out with medics to be able to learn their craft, wasn't really athletic so I took extra fitness courses, really tried to absorb and learn as much as I could. I still take that with me in my current job — try to learn as much as I can."

 

Thoughts on service? "It was interesting ... to put on my uniform and lace up my boots was an absolute honor," Jackson said. "The pride I received from my parents and the surrounding community was wonderful. I still keep in touch with people I served with. I had a great experience and I got the best of both worlds." 

 

Jackson is currently the director of weddings and special events at the Cape Club Resort.

 

Pvt. Shy Ann Jackson, thank you for your service to our great country.

 

Wayne Soares is the host of the popular new veterans cooking show, "The Mess Hall" that airs Saturdays on NBC's NECN at 9:30 a.m. He also entertains our troops around the globe and is the host and producer of the Vietnam veterans documentary "Silent Dignity – The Chapter That Never Ends." He can be reached at waynesoares1@gmail.com.