SALEM, Ore. - When Staff Sgt. Dale Beshara was growing up in a small town outside Klamath Falls, Ore., he saw his neighbor return from military duty and knew he, too, someday wanted to serve.
Beshara joined the Oregon National Guard 1995 at the age of 17 in 1995. He said he has been serving with pride ever since.
However, Beshara says that everything about his military career changed after Sept. 11, 2001, when being in the National Guard became much more than a one weekend a month, two-weeks a year commitment.
Since that time, Beshara has been on four tours and seen firsthand the sacrifices Guard members and Reservists have made in response to their call to duty after terrorist attacks that changed the nation.
During an 18-month tour to Iraq with 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, his unit experienced some of the heaviest fighting of the Iraq war in the battles of Najaf and Fallujah. Beshara faced what he calls an "eye opening" and "in your face" combat environment.
"It was like nothing I had ever faced before. The camaraderie and brotherhood you gain is amazing - you grow up in a hurry and learn to appreciate the small things," he said.
Beshara, the Central Oregon Reintegration Area Manager for the Oregon National Guard, said his experiences are what make him passionate about the job he has now. The main focus is on helping Soldiers with employment, education and healthcare needs, he said.
During his time in Iraq, Beshara explained that he saw more combat than he would ever like to see again, and that his unit lost Soldiers.
"I see people still struggling today," Beshara said. "It's different for every single person, and that's why I like to talk to Soldiers every chance I get."
Beshara said he takes the job seriously and that he loves listening to stories and problems Soldiers and their families are facing so he can point them in the right direction.
Beshara is a member of the Oregon National Guard's Joint Transition Assistance Program which is combining a reintegration program and career transition assistance program. The team has a vast network of service providers and employers across the state.
Oregon is considered to have one of the top reintegration programs in the nation, he said.
In Central Oregon, Beshara sees the job market as one of the biggest challenges for veterans. He said he is working hard to create a solid network of employers and helping veterans learn how to write cover letters and resumes, conduct interviews, and prepare portfolios.
Another reason Beshara is passionate about helping Soldiers is because of the stigma that he says has been attached to asking for help.
"After 16 years in the service, and volunteering for deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, I have seen many Soldiers fall to the wayside because their needs weren't addressed," he said.
Beshara mentioned a close friend he went to combat with who is a staff sergeant in the Oregon National Guard.
"He is a good leader who has PTSD, is struggling to find a job and has problems in his personal life. He has missed drill due to doctors' appointments and injuries from combat as well as family emergencies, and his unit hasn't always viewed him as a good leader," Beshara said.
Beshara said he has worked to help the Soldier get back on his feet and is communicating with his unit for better understanding. He has helped the Soldier get back into school and find a counselor he is more comfortable with.
Beshara says he has a message he wants to send to service members, veterans and their families.
"Help is out there - don't be afraid to ask."