The contributions and ultimate sacrifice of heroes are being diluted by politicians, news anchors, and individuals in echo chambers. I can tell you from my own experience, traveling with coffins draped with flags and participating in removal ceremonies, that I know in my bones how much of my life, happiness, and freedom I owe to every heroic service member and their families. It is a constant part of my mindset. It also represents the tiniest fraction of discomfort when compared to the sacrifices of our fallen and their families. Get over yourselves left, right, and center. Feeling like you are right does not give anyone permission to act wrong. This behavior is wrong. Loss requires comfort, listening, and support – at the very least. Those three things are also exactly what is missing from the present political, journalistic, and social media atmospheres. Someone I respect a great deal said these words to me years ago and I feel they are a relevant reminder to our current society… “Get your sh*t together.”
Tag Archives: US Navy
FEEL OTHERS STRUGGLE
I’m pretty much done with the endless anger (and insecurity) on display about EVERYTHING in our present lives. I feel like someone whose neighbors on all four walls never stop fighting. I think it’s important to also feel beyond one’s self. This brief moment from my youth makes up a big part of my personal foundation. My hope when I agreed to share stories with military.com was to be funny and positive. I hope this latest one touches on a bit of both while slipping in a nice message as well. Enjoy your holiday season my friends. PJ
SWIM TEST
VETERANS DAY: Lucky One
My military service is very far in my rear view mirror. I know my story and, more importantly, what it means to me. Since my time in the service, I’ve heard, befriended and in a small fashion been a part of many other veteran’s stories. Men and women who have sacrificed a great deal more while in uniform then I can even imagine, but all experiences I know are reality.
I owe so much to this group of people and I’m lucky to maintain a connection to them. My personal cost did not add up to much and I’m fully aware of how fortunate that is. It’s part of why I never feel any need to be thanked – my time in the military was really good to and for me.
Saying “thank you” feels more right to me. Thank you to all those who have had so much taken from them while serving under the very same colors as I did. I live my life for you and I will continue to do the best I can.
Happy Veterans Day!
…from one of the lucky ones