“The people I’m talking about live right here, they are part of your community, probably part of your family. I’m talking about tens of millions of people who gave their sweat and blood, and sometimes their lives to serve our country. I’m talking about veterans,” said Jennifer Love Hewitt in a video message on the Veterans Affairs Web site.

Veteran’s Day hits especially close to home for the Biola community, since numerous students and alumni have sacrificed so much to serve their country. While many have served and returned from combat, one recent alum is seeing things from the other side as he is just now embarking on his military career.

Jesse Frazier, a 2007 Biola alum and second lieutenant in the United States Air Force, was commissioned in June. He is currently in training at his duty station in Naval Air Station Pensacola to become a Strike Fighter Navigator, which he clarified as the title of ‘Goose’ in the movie Top Gun.

Frazier had several reasons for deciding to enter the military.

“I realize that I have been blessed to grow up here in America and I wanted to give back so someday my children will have the same opportunity,” he said. “I have also always wanted to fly and so I figured that flying would be a fun job.”

So far, Frazier would say his decision has paid off; his proudest moment yet was his first solo flight, but he’s learned even more than how to fly a plane.

“All the training I received so far has been excellent and allowed me to become a much better leader and organizer,” said Frazier. “It has also opened up opportunities that I would never have had otherwise.”

Perhaps one of the greatest things about his current situation that Biola students would envy is that he, in his words, “get[s] paid to go to school instead of paying”.

On a more serious note, Frazier’s relationship with Christ was definitely changed by his decision to enter the military.

“I have come to the realization of how I am totally dependent on Christ alone, not me,” he said.

Having Christ helped him to have peace in the high stress environment of field training, or boot camp for officers. It was also a sanctuary for him as he moved across the country, away from everyone and everything he knew to a completely different setting.

“Being able to trust that God has a plan and is taking care of me has been an immense joy and allows me to boldly live life,” said Frazier.

His dream is to fly the F-15 E Strike Eagle, which is a dual role strike fighter aircraft. But that’s not Frazier’s only dream. One day he would like to be a second grade teacher.

Biola students going about their days, working hard in their classes and pursuing their careers can take the opportunity this Veteran’s Day to remember those who, like Frazier, have put their dreams on hold to serve their country.