You may recognize Montel Williams as an Emmy-Award winning talk show host for 17 years. What you may not know is that he is a Veteran of both the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy. In this candid video, Williams shares why he enlisted in the Marine Corps and how he overcame a devastating loss of sight in his left eye (later diagnosed as MS), just 12 weeks prior to graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy.

Today, Montel Williams says he will always wear the uniform. He remembers the discipline and sense of obligation instilled in him along with the opportunity to be part of something larger than himself. He advocates for the health and respect of our servicemen and women because he believes  they are the thread that holds us together. Our service members protect and defend our rights to be who we are as Americans.