Pittsford, N.Y.--Jeremy Bagley was deployed in Iraq during the 2003 invasion. Entering Iraq for Bagley, was like visiting a new world.
"Even in the poorest of poor places in the United States, it just didn't add up to the mud huts and in ground homes that you saw there," explained Bagley.
On the positive side, he developed close relationships with those he served alongside but daily work during war changed his perspective--teaching him to grow up quickly.
But when Bagley returned and attended college, the perception of him was different.
"I think sometimes the perception of 99 percent of the people in this country is that you are somehow tainted mentally that you're not going to be
able to adjust to civilian life," said Bagley.
Bagley attended St. John Fisher, graduating in 2010 and expects to complete a masters degree at Empire State in 2012.
Each day, he works with freshly enrolled students at
Nazareth College ones who also served their country.
