A Hero Among Us

This week at American Legion Buckeye Boys State (ALBBS), we have the privilege of learning from Nathan Winkleman, a proud U.S. Army veteran and member of the American Legion.

Nathan served in the Army from 2004 to 2015, following a family tradition of military service. His father served 37 years in the Army, his older brother served and was deployed to Cuba, and his younger brother made the ultimate sacrifice in 2009 while serving in Afghanistan. Inspired by their example, Nathan answered the call to serve his country.

While serving in military intelligence, Nathan discovered that leadership is about more than completing a mission; it is about helping others succeed. He recalled a young soldier who was overwhelmed and convinced she would fail an exam before graduation. Nathan encouraged her, reminded the soldier of her abilities, and helped her believe in herself. She passed the exam and graduated. Later, she introduced Nathan to her father, a colonel, and told him that Nathan’s encouragement was the reason she kept going. That moment remains one of Nathan’s most meaningful memories from his military career.

When asked what patriotism means to him, Nathan said: “It is not only a love of country but also a respect for fellow citizens, even those who may think differently than we do.”

His advice to this year’s Buckeye Boys State class is simple: listen to your counselors and Legionnaires, be good ambassadors for the program, and carry its lessons back to your communities. He credits Boys State with having a lasting impact on his own life and says it is one of the reasons he continues to volunteer today.

Nathan is proud of his service, of his country, and of mentoring future leaders. “I am proud of the years I served, and the people I served with, and getting to know them, also it expanded my horizons and my outlook on life, and how different people come from all different walks of life.” He is truly a hero among us.