HER MOTHER had reluctantly signed the papers. Twenty-four days after Jennifer Clever turned 18, she was on her way to Fort Dix in Burlington County, New Jersey. As a native of Dunkirk on the southern shores of Lake Erie in Western New York, Fort Dix was over 400 miles from Clever’s home. She completed the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB, several medical evaluations, and all necessary background checks. When the day came for Clever to take the final step in the Military Entrance Processing Station, she straightened her shoulders, raised her right hand, and repeated the oath of enlistment.
Unlike a flag quivering in the unseen wind, her voice remained steady. “I, Jennifer,” she stated proudly, “do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the president of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.” Her father, Col. Austin David Nixon, U.S. Army (retired), who had served two tours in Vietnam, officially swore her in, making this once-in-a-lifetime occasion even more meaningful. “My dad is a Purple Heart recipient,” she said. “I come from a long line of veterans, so service was always a big part of my life. That said, joining the military was still very much my own decision — it just felt like the right path for me.”
Clever’s dad suggested she request to be stationed in Germany, so she took his advice. “My first duty station was 21st SUPCOM (support command) in Kaiserslautern. After that, I was stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, with the 24th Infantry Division.” She continued, “When you join straight out of high school, you don’t always realize what an incredible opportunity it is. While I was in Germany, I was able to travel to Italy and was even blessed by Pope John Paul II during a Christmas Eve service. That time really highlighted how important family is to me — the phone calls, packages, and letters meant everything. Without the military, I would be a very different person.”
She served from 1986 to 1990 during peacetime. “Growing up with a career service member, a lot of values were instilled in me before I ever raised my right hand. During my service, I learned quickly to own my decisions, take pride in my work, be on time, and never bring up a problem without at least one possible solution. Being immersed in teamwork and accountability at such a young age gave me a rock-solid foundation that I am still building on today.”
Upon receiving an honorable discharge, Clever worked for the Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services before transitioning to a career focused on veterans. Clever said, “My dad still carries shrapnel in his back. His strength and persistence are why I work for the federal government. Watching him fight for his benefits drove me to make sure I do everything I can to honor every veteran that crosses my path.”
After she was promoted, her husband, George, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, saw this as the perfect opportunity for them to pull up their bootstraps and move from North Carolina to Middle Tennessee.
“We sold our home, walked away from a 2.25% interest rate, and bought a house in Shelbyville — two doors down from my sister, Amy Shoemaker, who is also a U.S. Army veteran. Once we got here, George got involved with the Veterans Coffee Hour, and he pushed me to attend an American Legion meeting. Now, I serve as the newly elected adjutant for American Legion Post 23 and as a council member for the U.S. Veterans Council of Bedford County.”
George has always encouraged Jennifer to step outside her comfort zone and ensures she receives the credit she deserves every chance he gets. “He never misses an opportunity to acknowledge my service. If someone thanks him for his military service and we are together, he always responds with, ‘She’s an Army veteran.’ My sister and I represent the many female veterans in our communities who are often unnoticed, but we enrich those around us with the same core values as our male counterparts. Raising your right hand to serve creates a lifelong bond, and that sense of service becomes an enduring part of your identity.”
Since moving to the South, the Clevers have found wonderful examples of patriotism. “Children will come up to my husband, who almost always has on his U.S. Marine Corps cap, and they thank him for his service. I encourage parents to explain why this simple ‘thank you’ matters. Small actions — standing when the flag passes, placing a hand over their heart — reinforce that our flag represents honor, valor, courage, sacrifice, and freedom for every American.”
As we place our hands over our hearts and pledge allegiance to Old Glory, let’s do so remembering those like Jennifer Clever and countless others who willingly left behind everything they knew to ensure our freedom. GN
