DOMINIQUE VERMEER
NAVAL AVIATOR | HELICOPTER PILOT
What is your profession, and why do you do it?
"I began my military career because I admired those who made the same commitment before me to
protect our country and defend it from enemies foreign and domestic. I decided to become a pilot
because I thought knowing how to fly for the Navy is an amazing job and, selfishly, it would be cool
to say that I'm a pilot. I feel so lucky to have been given the opportunity to earn my wings of gold
and it brings me so much pride to say that I fly helicopters for the Navy because it's an exciting, selfless
job. I strive to be the best pilot I can be so that I can successfully complete whatever mission I'm given
and keep the people I fly safe."
What freedoms do you value most in this country?
"I value our freedom of speech and expression. I believe this is the central freedom our country was
founded on and the risk of losing it in the slightest is dangerous and indicative of societal decline."
What part of America’s history inspires you?
"Knowing America's beginnings, understanding that the economical infrastructure was built on the backs
of enslaved African people, the part of America's history that inspires me most was when a black man,
President Barack Obama, was elected. The hope that it brought me as an impressionable black girl was
enough to believe that I too could become President and make a serious impact in the world."
What do you think is important for the next generation to know?
"We must never forget history. The only way we move forward and not make the same mistakes is
by remembering the past."
“I’m grateful for opportunity in this country.”
GRANT VERMEER
COLLEGE BASKETBALL REFEREE | NAVY VETERAN
Why do you love America?
"I love America because of its diversity. I am so grateful for the opportunity to share this country with
people from every corner of this earth. To be able to share stories, learn about the blessings and
struggles of people from different walks of life, and build friendship with people who have vastly
different experiences than me truly enriches my life. This is a country that has been forged by
generations of people risking their lives in the pursuit of better. Better opportunity. Better treatment.
Better government. A better life. To be able to continue that tradition and always fight for progress,
inclusion, and equity for all people makes me love America."
What values do you hope America never loses?
"I hope that America never loses its humanity. I hope we never lose site of the fact that every person,
whether rich or poor, white or black, documented or without documentation, is a human being - a
human being created in the image of God and deserving of kindness, compassion, empathy, and love."
What part of America’s history inspires you?
"I am constantly inspired by the men and women who have persevered through hate, violence, bigotry,
and injustice in the pursuit of trailblazing a path that made life better for the people who walked in their
footsteps. If he was not murdered, Martin Luther King Jr would be 95 years old today. A very real chance
that he would be alive and sharing his reflections on his battle against injustice. I also think it puts into
perspective that there are grand parents and great grandparents that lived in the time of Jim Crow,
segregation, and periods of time where hate was common place and justified. It was not that long ago.
I am worried that we are returning to a place where we justify hate by placing a "tag" on people. That by
being "illegal" you are not deserving of humanity, love, kindness, and support. But I am inspired by these
periods of American history, that we as a community... that we as a people... we will fight for the outcast."
What do you wish more people understood about this country?
"That we are very imperfect. And that it's okay to be imperfect. I wish more people realized it can be very
patriotic to identify when things are not great and they could be better. Patriotism is not just praising the
fact that we do some things great... patriotism is realizing that our country is great - the best in the
world - because of our constant fight to make things better for everyone."
What do you think is important for the next generation to know?
"That it's really cool to be kind to everyone."
