Before protecting the polling places in Afghanistan or investigating violent crimes on Chicago’s South Side, Terrence Norris was just a kid from the Beverly-Morgan Park neighborhood with a football helmet and mud on his cleats.

Norris grew up in a household where service was not just encouraged but it was expected. With a father working for the Chicago Police Department, Norris saw first-hand what it meant to put others before yourself. These lessons shaped him long before he ever put on a military uniform.

“Serving my community is something I was raised on,” said Norris. “Serving others is how I grew up.”

Norris attended St. Cajetan Grammar School, where the foundation of faith and community first became prominent. He later chose to attend Marist High School, following in the footsteps of his older brother. At Marist, the values he learned at home were reinforced in the classroom, on the football field, and on the track.

During his time at Marist he was a four-year football player and track athlete during his junior and senior years. These sports built endurance, leadership and mental toughness that he would need for his future.

“The military is all about service to your country, and they teach that at Marist,” said Norris.

For Norris, service was something he lived out daily. Helping his teammates on the field, respecting teachers and coaches, and staying consistent in all aspects of his life. Inspired by his father’s commitment to service in law enforcement, Norris felt a sense of commitment to his country.

After graduating high school in 1998, Norris went to Western Illinois University, where he studied military science. By his junior year in 2000, he signed his military contract and began what would become an almost decade-long career in the Illinois Army National Guard.

“A lot of people think the soldiers are the grunts and they are dumb, but the military is full of smart people,” said Norris. “It’s not all about running up a hill and shooting, it’s about knowing your atmosphere and the area around you.”

This choice meant a lot of sacrifice, time away from home, intense training and the possibility of deployment.

“It was tough to leave the whole family and her [his girlfriend/now wife] when I went over there,” said Norris.

Norris became a First Lieutenant where much of his daily responsibility revolved around operations. He ensured his soldiers were fed, had proper uniforms on, and were prepared for the day’s mission.

In 2008, Norris was deployed to Afghanistan for a year. At the time, he left his parents, his brother, his sister, and his fiancée. While he was overseas he had to make a lot of sacrifices which included missing a lot of important family events.

“It feels like everything stands still here but when you come back you realize everything moves without you,” said Norris.

While he was deployed in the Middle East, the soldiers helped protect Afghanistan’s first ever open election. Norris’s unit oversaw securing polling places and protecting ballot boxes.

“I was responsible for securing ballot boxes and once they were secured, we had to move them to the right location,” said Norris. “I feel like I had a part in giving them the freedom to vote”.

Even though there was a language barrier, the American soldiers worked with their assigned translators.

“These were the most hard-working Afghan people you could ever meet,” said Norris. “They were in even more danger than us because they were working with us. They would be the lifeline between us and the community”.

The translators were promised visas in exchange for their service to the American soldiers.

“[Afghan citizens] love the help and they opened up their houses to us,” said Norris. “They would give you the shirts off their back if you wanted.”

The Afghan children enjoyed having the new company. They would often run alongside the American troops while they were patrolling the area.

“We would have children running alongside us and waving to us most times because we would give them toys or candy,” said Norris. “Seeing their faces reminds me of back home seeing my nieces.”

After Norris returned home from Afghanistan he got married, and soon after learned he was expecting his first child.

“I saw a lot of soldiers missing their child’s birth and I knew I wouldn’t do that,” said Norris. “I couldn’t miss my child’s first year of life while being deployed.”

After almost a decade of service, Norris decided to come home and resume his life back on Chicago’s South Side. He rejoined the Chicago police department as tactical officer.

Norris is now in his 23rd year with the department working in Area One as a violent crime detective. He and his wife have two sons, Connor, who is a freshman at Marist High School, and Ryan, who attends Mt. Greenwood Elementary School.

For Norris, service has never been a job – it has been the center of his life.

“You serve our community, other students, your school, and your neighborhood,” said Norris.