Islanders Who Answered the Call: Michael Halt, West Tisbury School Principal

Editor's note: This is the first of a three part series in honor of Islanders who have served.

Michael Halt is the principal of the a husband and a father. He is also a veteran of the First Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He started as a lieutenant and is now a Marine Corps colonel. He has served three times since September 11, 2001

M.V. Patch: What was your experience?

Michael Halt: There are two things that I stop and think about when I think about my time of service. One is the quality of the young people who are out there doing the hardest work that you can imagine with little-to-no recognition.

I worry that people are completely unaware of how many fantastic young kids are out there doing incredible stuff; and I know that for many of them, it feels like they get no appreciation.

Less that 1 percent of Americans serve in military and our military has been at war for 10 years. That 1 percent is carrying the water for the rest and they just keep on doing it. And these are not people with no other options joining up. I always say that if you want to see the American youth at its best, go to Iraq and Afghanistan because the best young people I’ve ever met are over there.

The other thing I think about is how fortunate that we are to live in this country. When I was in Afghanistan, I got a chance to meet a lot of people.

If you meet a kid in America who is fluent in four different languages,
has a passion for learning, has great social skills with both adults and other kids, you’d think, this 10-year-old is going to win the world. Well, that’s just a kid in an orphanage in Afghanistan.

Almost everything I have in my life is by some cosmic fluke that I popped up in America not in one of the other countries out there. I think it is a shame that we don’t realize and appreciate it more.

M.V. Patch: What was your experience when you came home?

Michael Halt: I have always benefited from the support of the community that I live in. I know many of my peers who don’t get that and I feel very fortunate in that way. Every service person has it tough when they come back and live in normal society where you can make mistakes and it’s OK. There is a long readjustment phase, and I am very fortunate love and support of family and community

M.V. Patch: What is important to you about being a Veteran?

Michael Halt: I like feeling like I’m part of the living legacy of all the great people who have gone before me. I feel that I have joined the ranks of some of my heroes of past generations. When our country needed help, I was able to provide that.