Ford Motor Company is hosting empowering, collaborative events for veterans at its Bronco Off-Roadeo locations, and they invited me to the Austin site to observe. Read more about the veterans and their families here at Forbes.com: https://lnkd.in/gMny3SGq
Kristin Vanderhey Shaw’s Post
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The Strategic Veteran | Veterans Transforming Veterans | Host of The Strategic Veteran Podcast |Director of Recruiting QRFup
We remember those who served and sacrificed for our freedom on Memorial Day. The faces of ghosts we honor each year are not merely a reflection of the past but a constant reminder of the courage, determination, and selflessness that define our nation's heroes. Will you join me in remembering? Today, those faces have a profound impact on us all. They remind us of the cost of freedom, the price of courage, and the sacrifices made by many in the name of love for their country. Today, we acknowledge those who gave their all - not for accolades but for a cause greater than themselves. Each story, name, and face represents a life lived in service. They are not just names on a wall or numbers on a page; they are individuals with families, dreams, and hopes. They are a testament to the strength of our nation and the very soul of our freedom. However, as we honor these brave souls, let's also remember the veterans amongst us. Those who have transitioned from the discipline and rigor of military service to the uncertainties of civilian life. They, too, have stories of sacrifice, resilience, and courage that inspire us daily. To these veterans, you may have hung up your uniform, but the call to serve remains. You carry a deep-seated spirit of service, a drive to make a difference, and a purpose beyond yourself. And so, to each veteran trying to find their footing in the civilian world, I tell you: your purpose is not lost. It merely awaits new channels of expression. Whether you launch a startup, join a cause, or simply use your experience to guide others, your service continues. As we remember and honor those who are no longer with us, let's also dedicate ourselves to supporting the heroes who walk among us. Let's ensure they have the resources, the support, and the opportunities to thrive in the next chapter of their lives. Today, on Memorial Day, as we remember the faces of ghosts, let's also celebrate the spirit of service that lives on in every veteran. I encourage you to reach out to a veteran today. Listen to their story, acknowledge their service, and offer your support. Who will you remember today? And how will you honor their service? I want to remember them with you! Tell their story in the comments! #MemorialDay #VeteranSupport #ServiceBeyondUniform
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https://lnkd.in/ekv4z8Y7? 23 MAR 2024-30 Years Everyone is recovering from something. I have been carrying that thought around in my head for years now and it has finally become something to share. I have been thinking and feeling a lot about trauma lately and it occurred to me–or re-occurred–how true this statement is. If you have been around for longer than about 10 minutes, you have something from which you are recovering–physical, mental, emotional. Whatever it is, we are all recovering from something that reordered how we look at life, the universe, and everything. On this 30th anniversary of the Accident, I’m reflecting on just how prevalent the condition of recovery is in the human race. We all have pain we are dealing with. We all had something happen to us or done to us that left us hurt. So we all have something from which to recover. It may not be as dramatic as having a plane crashed on you, but it’s just as traumatic if it made you question reality and your place in it. Please don’t think that because you didn’t have something like my accident happen to you that it wasn’t traumatic. We all react in different ways to different things, what happened to you happened. You’re not weak for having a tragedy befall you. You’re human. Own it and own your recovery. Face what happened and get to healing. If you live long enough, you’re going to find that there will be other things that hit you hard and you will have to recover from them, too, and another, and another… You see where I’m going with this. So have some compassion for yourself and some empathy for others–because none of us know what others are going through. Remember those who have gone on before us and look after yourself and those around you. To all of those who lost someone on this day: I love you and am praying for you, know you are in my thoughts often. Especially today, 30 years hence.
How soldiers and survivors recalled deadly 1994 Fort Bragg air crash
militarytimes.com
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Experienced Sales and Marketing Professional | Powering Up Brands with Expertise in Power Tools 🛠️ #Sales #Marketing #PowerTools
Just for thought If you have a Combat Veteran in your family and you don’t like their moods and behavior around the holidays; please consider these six things: 1.) Your combat veteran has served in countries where people are blessed to receive a tattered pair of shoes or have clean water to drink; he/she no longer lives the “first world illusion” and no longer cares that if you buy one play station you can get a second one for fifty percent off. In fact, they find it hard to appreciate any of the gluttonous commercialism and overindulgence that permeates American holidays. Standing watch, boring as it was, had so much more purpose than going to the mall. 2.) Your Combat Veteran is thankful for the most basic things; not thankful for mega-sales and million dollar parades. They are thankful to be alive; thankful to have survived both the wars far away and the wars they struggle with inside. 3.) Your Combat Veteran is thankful that it wasn't them that got killed, but their celebrations are forever complicated by guilt and loss over those that were. Some of the most thankful times in their life were some of the scariest. Their feelings of thanks and celebration often conjure memories that are equally painful. 4.) Your Combat Veteran is not like you anymore. At some point, for some period of time, their entire life boiled down to just three simple things: when will I eat today, when will I sleep today, and who will I have to kill or will try to kill me today? They are not like you anymore. 5.) Your Combat Veteran does not need a guilt-trip or a lecture; they already feel detached in their grief while others so easily embrace the joy of the season. They need understanding and space; empathy not sympathy. 6.) Your Combat Veteran does love his/her family and is thankful for the many blessings in their life…and they are thankful for you.
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Executive Search - Defence & Intelligence at psd Group, Mental Health First Aider and Military Veteran
What Remembrance means to me. As a military veteran, Remembrance holds a unique and profound significance for me, extending beyond the symbolism of poppies and somber ceremonies. It's a time when veterans come together to remember, reunite, and share a connection forged through shared experiences. Remembrance is not just about honouring the fallen but also about acknowledging the living—the veterans who have faced the challenges of service and carry the weight of those experiences. It serves as a powerful reminder that the bonds formed in the crucible of military life are unbreakable. One of the most compelling aspects of remembrance is the opportunity for veterans to come together and support one another in a way that only those who have walked a similar path can understand. The shared camaraderie, the unspoken understanding, and the mutual respect create a space where we can openly discuss the challenges we've faced and the impact on our mental health. Coming together allows us to break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues, encouraging honest conversations about the struggles many veterans face post-service. It's a reminder that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. As we reflect on our time in service, we should also recognise the importance of reaching out to fellow veterans, checking in on one another, and fostering an environment where mental health is a priority. The shared burden becomes lighter when carried together, and the bonds of friendship forged in service can be a lifeline in times of need. This remembrance weekend, let's not only honour the past but also focus on the well-being of our fellow veterans. Together, through open conversations and mutual support, we can ensure that no one feels alone in their journey beyond the uniform. On Sunday, I'll be travelling to London to share 'a few drinks' with my service brothers. I will unashamedly laugh out loud, dish out and take back the banter, and enjoy the opportunty to be back amongst those who understand me better than anyone else. It will be a tonic. It will recharge my batteries. To my Grandad, a Normandy landings veteran, to Big Bird, Bonny, Stricks, Del and Scouse and all those who are no longer with us - we will remember you. #remembrance #remembranceday #veteran #mentalhealth
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Happy Warrior Wednesday, everyone! As we move through Military Appreciation Month, it’s the perfect time to truly reflect on and celebrate the incredible dedication and bravery of our service members and their families. This month isn’t just about recognition; it’s a heartfelt thank you to those who have given so much to ensure our freedoms. Why Military Appreciation Month Matters: 1. Honor the Sacrifices: From the long deployments to the missed family moments, our troops make countless sacrifices. This month, we’re taking extra time to acknowledge and thank them for these selfless acts. 2. Support for Military Families: Behind every service member is a family that serves in their own way. Let’s make sure we’re also supporting the spouses and kids who keep things running at home. 3. Get Involved Locally: Check out the parades, memorial services, and community events happening this month. Whether you’re attending or volunteering, it’s a great way to show your support. 4. Educate and Share Stories: Use this month as a chance to spread the word about the military’s vital role and the personal stories of those who serve. Whether it’s through social media or in conversations at school or work, every story told is another layer of appreciation. 5. Shop Military-Owned Businesses: Let’s give back by supporting businesses run by veterans and military spouses. It’s a small way to uplift those who’ve already given so much. A Personal Note from Next Move Military: Here at Next Move Military, our commitment to supporting military members extends far beyond just this month. We’re here all year round, helping military families find, settle into their new homes and integrate into their communities, making transitions as smooth as possible. This Military Appreciation Month, let’s make a real effort to show our gratitude. Reach out to someone you know who serves or has served, and simply say thank you. It’s a small gesture that can make a big impact.
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Dear Friends and Colleagues, If you would like to consider a way to honor our country's veterans of their service this Memorial Day, please read my revamped blog on Substack.
Honoring our veterans on Memorial Day
robertmponichtera.substack.com
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Building a group of financially free veterans, independent leaders, husbands and fathers through superior mindset, training, and investing. From $25k to $90M in rentals The Art of Winning Podcast for more.
When I was overseas… everything had purpose. Every action, every piece of gear, every word we used on the radio… Everything was carefully analyzed, weighed, measured for efficiency and effectiveness. We knew exactly how much we weighed with all our kit on… Where all our weapons, magazines, grenades, tourniquets, radio, etc was and how to access them with eyes closed. We knew exactly what was in each pocket or pouch. Everything had purpose. Nothing was left to an afterthought. And we could shoot, move and communicate with ease because we had purposefully organized our lives this way. So that no action, no word, no piece of gear and no movement was wasted. Why? Because our use of these things determined our success or failure. So for me… Memorial Day is more than just a day to remember our fallen It’s more than a day to lay flowers on my friends graves… For me it’s a reminder, a day of purpose. It’s a reminder to live on purpose. To speak to your loved ones on purpose. To move with purpose, to work with purpose, to love on purpose. Because there are those that no longer can. And they would give the world to be able hold their kids, watch a movie with their spouse, or even just sit and enjoy a sunset once more. So do not waste a day, a minute, even a second of your life. Choose your thoughts wisely, and your speech and your actions as if they were your last. And live a life of purpose, on purpose. For there is no greater waste than to waste this gift of life. #veterans #memorialday #freedom #purpose
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With apologies to those who read it a year ago, I repost "The Day After Memorial Day." If you are too busy to read the whole thing, perhaps this is a reasonable summary: >We need to care about veterans and their families more frequently than merely on Memorial and Veterans Days >Unless we provide adequate resources for veteran suicide prevention, healthcare, homelessness, and job assistance, we may lose the commitment we have taken for granted from our volunteer force and their families ****************** The Day After Memorial Day It was a simple encounter. A young man--a soldier--accompanied by a young lady I feel certain was his wife who carried a child in her arms. We passed each other in 2005 in a hallway of the “old” Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. It was how he moved through that hallway that first caught my eye, but that was only part of the story. The story of this young man, young woman, and young child is an important story for our nation. It's not just about them. They are representative of thousands of others. Like this small family is to me, each of them can easily become nameless and forgotten if we, as a nation, let them become so. If we, as a nation, don't care. If we, as a nation, are willing to betray them. I'm sure that each of those thousands of stories began in a similar way. There was someone who agreed to join the US Military. After enduring the rigors of their initial entry training, they joined a unit and went into harm's way. Then, there was some encounter, some violent action, that injured them. Most important to this particular story, the violence injured their brain. I don't know all the details of each story, but I think I know some of them. There's that dull headache that shows up in a theater of war and never seems to go away until after a few weeks back home. It's always uncomfortable and either too hot or too cold. There are incessant calls on the radio that need attention and demand a response that could endanger others. Sleep is never sufficient or uninterrupted. The TO DO list is never empty and frequently filled with several critical items that were not addressed yesterday. I'm sure their stories have elements like that. Then, one day, they were doing something that needed doing. Perhaps they were walking with their squad on some mission or driving in a convoy or flying in a helicopter or even just pausing somewhere. Suddenly, there was a flash and they were airborne or tumbling. There was certainly a deafening noise, but realization of that cacophony lags or doesn't matter as much as the other things their consciousness senses. While there are large objects--just like them--that are thrown around, small rocks, dirt, bits of glass and metal, and other items of unknown origin strike them everywhere, but generally sting the most on their face, lips, and eyes... Read the rest here: https://lnkd.in/eUAxVeDC
A Few Things...
tomboftheunknownsoldierfoundation.com
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Experienced Financial Markets Leader | DEI Ambassador | Trustee | Thought Leader | Veteran | Reservist | Industry Commentator 2024
On this day, July 1st, we should remember the extraordinary bravery shown during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. As dawn broke over the trenches, thousands of soldiers advanced with unwavering courage into one of the most harrowing battles of World War I. On that first day alone, there were over 57,000 British casualties, including 19,000 who lost their lives, marking it as the worst day in British military history. Their valour and sacrifice left an indelible mark on history and shaped the course of the modern world. It is hard to fathom how it was conceived that advancing slowly towards entrenched machine guns was a good idea... yet these men did so...A tragic miscalculation rooted in outdated military tactics and a severe underestimation of modern weaponry's lethality. The sheer scale of casualties from the first day of the Battle of the Somme had a profound impact on countless families across Britain. In smaller towns and villages, it was not uncommon for entire groups of friends, colleagues, or sports teams who enlisted together to be affected, resulting in devastating local impacts. For instance, the Pals battalions, which were units composed of men who enlisted together from the same local area, often saw heavy casualties. This meant that a single day's losses could deeply affect a community, with numerous families mourning the loss of fathers, sons, brothers, and friends simultaneously. Given that the average British household at the time was larger than today, with extended families often living close together, the emotional and social impact would have been significant. Entire neighbourhoods and communities would have shared in the grief, making the aftermath of the Battle of the Somme a nationwide tragedy. "Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it," said Nelson Mandela, encapsulating the spirit of those who faced unimaginable horrors with steadfast resolve. These soldiers, from all walks of life, exhibited a level of bravery that continues to inspire today. Their determination and sacrifice remind us that true courage often comes in the face of overwhelming adversity. The impact of the Battle of the Somme extends far beyond the battlefield. It reshaped national identities, influenced military strategies, and highlighted the profound cost of war. Winston Churchill once remarked, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." This ethos was embodied by every soldier who fought, demonstrating that resilience and bravery can lead to profound change, even amidst the darkest of times. As I reflect on this pivotal moment in history, let us honour the courage of those who served by striving to exhibit the same fortitude in our own lives. Whether facing personal challenges or professional hurdles, we should draw strength from their example and commit to making a positive impact in our world, just as they did over a century ago. #veterans #britisharmy #resilience #courage
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Founder GMR Human Performance. Keynote Speaker. On a mission to normalise human error & translate error intelligence into Learning Opportunities for Businesses.
A powerful video and reminder of just how lucky we are and how quickly it can all be lost. Amazing strength and courage telling his story in this video. This is just one example from a list of powerful stories that T2S are part of and create everyday. If you can help, you know someone who can help or someone that needs help, Turn To Starboard and let them know.
Turn to Starboard’s inception in 2012 was driven by an acute need and we genuinely thought we would only help support veterans that year and maybe also the next. Initially, we did not have a long-term strategy. Ten years on, the number of veterans needing our support has increased considerably, especially post pandemic where the challenges of isolation added to the existing hardships faced by many veterans. The majority of our support is from grant funding and we don’t hold large reserves. When we have funds, we spend them on veterans. Our mission was, and continues to be, a simple one. Priority One is to make the sailing experience the best it can be and Priority Two is to raise enough money to pay for Priority One. We have created upwards of 5,500 sailing opportunities in the last ten years. Such numbers might look impressive, but for us they don’t really tell the full story. Many of these stories are deeply personal and are about facing adversity and rising to the challenge in what is a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment.. We do this in the hope that we can improve someone’s life and just very occasionally save one.
A Veteran's Story bravely shared in a short film made by a fellow Veteran
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Freelance Writer
3wThank you Michael Levine Lauren Vrazilek for setting this up for me.