Service beyond a uniform

 Editor’s Note: As a veteran of the Army Reserve and U.S. Air Force, President and CEO Joseph DeLeon shares a personal reflection on the meaning of service in honor of Veterans Day this month. 

This Veterans Day essay was written by Roper St. Francis Healthcare President and CEO Joseph DeLeon, who also is a veteran, having served in the Army Reserve and the U.S. Air Force. 

A spirit of service was instilled in me at a young age, long before I ever put on a uniform. I grew up surrounded by examples of dedication and duty: my grandfather, father and uncles all served in the military.   

One of my earliest memories is captured in a photo of my father and me when I was about three years old. We’re both wearing matching uniforms, his the real thing, mine a miniature version. That image, and the pride it represents, planted a seed that would grow into a lifelong appreciation for service and community.   

Even during my days in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, I was drawn to the camaraderie that comes with serving something bigger than yourself. I’ll never forget standing in formation during early morning drills, shoulder to shoulder with people from every walk of life, all focused on the same mission.   

During my time in the military, I served in a support company, providing resources and equipment to those on the front lines. I wasn’t fighting battles every day, but I was helping others succeed when it mattered most.   

In healthcare, our battlefield looks different, but the mission is the same: to serve with honor, discipline and integrity. Our community trusts us with their lives, and that trust is the ground we must defend every day. We do so knowing that, for many of our patients, this may be the most difficult day they’ve ever faced, and that our compassion can make all the difference.  

Veterans Day reminds me that service takes many forms. Whether you wore a uniform or not, we all have the opportunity to serve something greater than ourselves. I see that spirit every day: in the nurse comforting a patient’s family, the security officer walking someone safely to their car or the leader staying late to support their team.  

To my fellow veterans, and to those still serving, I offer my deepest respect and gratitude. Your commitment and sacrifice continue to inspire those around you. And to every member of our Roper St. Francis Healthcare team: thank you for living that same spirit of service every day.   

That childhood photo of my father and me still reminds me that service is not defined by a uniform, but by the heart behind it. Together, we carry forward a mission that unites us all.