She thought the United States Army would provide her an advanced education and the opportunity to pursue her career goal of becoming a chef.

At age 16, she pre-enlisted in the armyÕs Delayed Entry Program (DEP) with the consent of her parents. During her senior year, she completed orientation, and by the time she graduated in 2004, she was ready to enter the army for basic training.

Leaving her family and her home was not easy but the lessons she learned have affected her life. Assigned to Fort Jackson, in South Carolina for basic training, the first thing Bezanson learned was that each individual action has an impact on everyone on the team. This is a valuable life lesson when in the field as soldiers rely on each other for safety and to get a job done.

ÒI learned discipline and respect. There is an acronym, a motto, for leadership, loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage,Ó Bezanson said.

ÒThe army matches its needs with the interests of those who enlist,Ó Bezanson said.

She was assigned to Fort Lee, Virginia, for Advanced Individual Training (AIT) as a food service specialist. Her duties included mass meal production, that literally is feeding an army.

ÒWe serve all kinds of food: meatloaf, mashed potatoes and regional dishes, such as soul food,Ó she said. ÒThe army tries to give us a variety. We have holiday turkeys, steak and lobster.Ó

But, she said, after awhile, even the special food became old. One thing Bezanson said she missed was eating fresh food.

Bezanson transferred to 18th Field Artillery Division at Fort Bragg, where she would study advanced culinary arts. There, she met her future husband, Sgt. Adam Robert Bezanson, a chef in the 87th Airborne Division. They married on November 12, 2005.

In January 2006, E-4 Specialist Bezanson was deployed to Iraq. One of five females in a battery of 138 soldiers in the 1st Battalion of the 321st Regiment (1/321), she was assigned to administrative duties on a security mission to protect civilian contractors and make fuel runs to different forward operating bases.

ÒI have acquired many brothers,Ó she said. ÒWe bond as a family. You make a connection with people youÕre deployed with. YouÕre never alone.Ó

BezansonÕs husband was deployed to Iraq eight months later, to a location only 45 minutes from where she was stationed. Bezanson said she was able to see her husband often because he made runs to pick up supplies from where she was stationed, and the commanding officers arranged ÒR & RÓ time for them to be together.

BezansonÕs assignment was in an area outside the towns and villages of Iraq, and there was very little interaction with local Iraqi people. When she traveled, it was often at night when travel was safer, and always with her team.

After an 11 month tour, Bezanson touched ground in November 2006. ÒI joined the military for college money,Ó she said. ÒMy family is from Atlanta, Georgia. IÕve seen the city, the country, and I want to broaden my horizons.Ó

Now that sheÕs back in the United States, Bezanson will be training for another deployment, possibly to Afghanistan.

ÒThereÕs no telling what the future holds for a soldier in the US Army,Ó she said.

BezansonÕs husband is due to return home in March for two weeks leaven then will be home for good in July.

Bezanson said that one of the most valuable parts of her experience has been realizing how important her family is to her.

Her father, Mick Day said, ÒWe put her in GodÕs hands.Ó

Marletta Day, BezansonÕs mother, said being able to keep in touch through the internet made it a bit easier to deal with her daughter being so far away and in such a potentially dangerous situation.

ÒWe were able to chat and exchange videos on the internet. When I could see her, I knew she was OK.Ó

Bezanson said that, since coming home, many people have shaken her hand and thanked her for her service.

ÒWhen people thank me for what IÕve done, I tell them itÕs my job. As soldiers, we knew what weÕre getting into,Ó she stated. ÒIÕm glad I did see what I have.

Ò Now that IÕm home, I feel IÕm part of something big. I served my country. People shake my hand. I have a sense of pride for what I do. God bless America,Ó she said.