My dad, John Antonizio, joined the U.S. Navy in his late teens in the 1970s, and spent a lot of his time in California.  When I was a child, he would tell me stories of his time on the ship, and proudly wore his veteran hat everyday.  My dad was unconditionally a fighter, both in the military and outside of it.  He fought for our country, what he believed in, and for his life and family every single day.  I believe that his passionate, fighting spirit is an incredible example of a veteran’s strength.