Petty Officer First Class James Ware was nominated by his spouse Jessica, who had the following to say about him: “My husband James joined the Navy on October 18, 2001. He always knew he wanted to follow in the same footsteps as his father, grandfather and uncle but when 9/11 happened he knew his time was now. At 18, barely an adult himself, he dedicated himself to serve the country he loves and branch of service he admired. He gave 22 years of his life to the Navy before he was forced to retire last year. If it was up to him he’d still be fighting the good fight along his brothers and sisters in arms. He navigated 5 different rates at the Navy’s request and each time did so with only two goals, to take care of his sailors the best he could and continue committing himself to serve his country in any way possible. During one of those many transitions, his father passed away, but because of his dedication to his country, along with his father’s history as a sailor himself, he continued his commitment in serving his nation, completing a transition to a new rate and pushing through an unimaginable loss. A father of 4, meant time away from his children and missing pivotal moments, but he never complained. Last year he was forced to retire, an adjustment that hasn’t been the easiest for him, but one he’s taken on with as much vigor as he could muster after having his passion and love of being a sailor taken away too soon for his liking. Today he is continuing to work with sailors on Naval Station Norfolk, spending time on vessels that resurface all the things he loved about being in the Navy, but this time as a civilian. He may bleed red, but he bleeds for the red, white, and blue and will for the rest of his life because being a member of the armed service wasn’t just a job to him but a part of who he is, now and forever.”
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, JAMES!