LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – April and Eric Ballard are now a married couple of nearly three years, but both would say it took a lot of life to get where they’re at today.
Eric started basic training in 2000 at Fort Benning. About a year later, he went to his first duty station of Fort Carson and eventually served four combat tours.
As an Army infantryman, Eric says life was not easy, but one thing sticks out in his mind when thinking about his 10 years of service.
“You get out there and it’s great don’t get me wrong, but at the same time it’s scary,” Eric said. “You get to a point where it’s like what am I doing out here? but then you see your brothers and you’re just like, I’m really doing it for them.”
April started her Army journey in 2005. After training at Fort Leonard Wood, she too would find her way to Fort Carson and later joined the Army’s technical escort unit.
“Once you see, man, I’m a part of something so much bigger than I could’ve ever imagined, you really start to serve and be a bigger part of the picture,” April said.
Both have a lot of pride when it comes to their service time, and Eric believes if you want to serve our county, do it for the right reasons.
“I feel like some people say hey, you should go join the military for whatever reason”, Eric said. “Alright that’s cool, but for me and the guys that I served with, I could say if you’re not willing to give up your life for your brother, then you shouldn’t join. That’s just my personal opinion.”
It took roughly a decade after their military careers were over, but in 2022, April and Eric met each other through online dating.
“I remember looking at his profile and it said Army infantryman, I love me some Jesus,” April said, “and I was like, done!”
Their past allowed for them to be able to connect in a special way and the two married in March 2023. Eric and April currently have a community group for veterans and their family members. They say being part of a support group at church has allowed them to push through their biggest struggles.
Now, as they approach their three-year anniversary, April and Eric said the Army has really put their lives into perspective.
“I’d say the best thing it’s taught is how to be intentional to be present and to not stay stuck in the past or so euphoric into the future,” April said. “Really being intentional to stay in today.”
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