NEW YORK—For the veterans of our nation’s armed forces, transitioning back into civilian life can be a battle in itself. Among the adversity many veterans face upon returning home are unemployment and homelessness, and despite the sacrifices they have made, a residence and a job aren’t a sure thing after service. For U.S. Navy veteran Lawrence Linton, the future used to be far from certain, but a childhood passion for the culinary arts was reignited after his service—leading the way to a new livelihood.
Linton, 43, served in the Navy from 1996 until he was honorably discharged in 2000. The Brooklyn native wanted to pursue higher education and eventually become a cardiologist, but couldn’t afford college after graduating from high school. One day, as he was walking past an armed forces recruiter, he realized he had always wanted to see the world. The Navy would certainly provide that opportunity for him.
