Jason Poole, a U.S. Army veteran, lives in Brunswick.

When I was a child, my grandfather, a World War II veteran, told me it was my patriotic duty to serve in the military. I come from a long line of veterans, dating back to the American Civil War, and if I had to describe what military service feels like, I would say it feels like being part of something greater than yourself.

But I would also amend my grandfather’s sentiment about serving in the military to say that we all have a patriotic duty to serve our communities in whatever capacity we are able.

Service takes many forms — farmers, fishermen, healthcare professionals, social workers, first responders, longshoremen, sanitation workers, postal service workers, religious leaders, journalists, teachers, scientists, transportation workers, elected officials and on and on.

It is this broader understanding of service, coupled with my time in the military, that shapes how I evaluate leadership, and why I proudly chose to join a group of veterans in endorsing Dr. Nirav Shah as Maine’s next governor.

Dr. Shah has spent his career answering the call to serve, leading Maine through one of our darkest and most deadly hours through steady, thoughtful leadership that was always calm under pressure. Throughout his career, he has consistently sought ways to help others, and in doing so, has demonstrated the kind of resilience, integrity and commitment to the broader public good that defines a true public leader.

To many, the choice to serve, especially in uniform, can seem like a detour from personal freedom. But the true value of service lies in the profound psychological and moral foundation it builds within a person.

At its core, service is a masterclass in resilience. It strips away the comfort of the familiar and replaces it with the necessity of the mission. When a young person is entrusted with responsibilities far beyond their years — whether managing millions of dollars in equipment or, more importantly, the lives of their peers — they develop a level of maturity that cannot be taught in a classroom.

You learn that discipline is not just routine, but the ability to perform under pressure when you are exhausted and pushed to your limits and still have people depending on you and your ability to act.

Service, in any form, changes how you see the world. It gives you a clearer understanding of how much we rely on one another and how fragile that balance can be when people stop showing up. Whether in uniform or in our communities, service instills a lasting sense of responsibility: the understanding that a strong society depends on people willing to step forward and contribute however they can.

A life of service is not a sacrifice of one’s potential, it is the fullest expression of it. It is a commitment to being a steady presence, to taking responsibility for something larger than
oneself, and to stepping forward when others need you.

That is also why I am supporting Dr. Nirav Shah. His career reflects a deep and ongoing commitment to service in its many forms, consistently answering the call, stepping into moments of uncertainty and putting the needs of others first.

As Maine looks toward the future we all will share in, we need leaders who understand that public office is not about personal ambition, but about service to others. I hope you will consider him when you vote June 9.