SANTA CLARA, Calif.—From a passionate young Marine who was ready to die for his country to a survivor of the Afghanistan War, retired U.S. Marine Sergeant, Povas Miknaitis, reflects on his experiences and his outlook on life. Having two older brothers who served in the Marine Corps and following the events of 9/11, Miknaitis made the decision to serve in the military at the age of 18. “I just felt, you know, somebody’s going to die for our country. I wanted it to be me because, I was just, I cared so much about others in general, like other people, other Americans. I didn’t want them to have to experience any more bloodshed, at least on the American territory,” said Miknaitis. He served as a scout sniper during his deployment to Iraq in 2008, and in Afghanistan in 2009. During a nighttime scouting mission in Nowzad, Afghanistan, eight members of …