Gratitude for Heroes Journeying Home

As the nation mourns the most tragic loss of our Navy Seals aboard the Chinook helicopter in eastern Afghanistan, I have been thinking a great deal about the courage and vitality of one United States Marine, namely, Corporal Todd Nicely. Todd, notwithstanding the daily challenges of his four prostheses’, is a vigorous man of enormous endurance, with strength of soul and body. Todd not only defied the Grim Reaper during his tours in Afghanistan, but here in Washington, he helps fellow injured military to defy the casualties of survival. Corporal Nicely encourages newly arrived wounded warriors at Bethesda Naval Hospital while he is completing his discharge from the Marine Corps and getting licensed to drive his specially equipped car.

Todd’s courage in combat, excellence of character, especially in his record rehabilitation and journey back to an active life, has inspired me to craft a book entitled Courage in America. It will capture profiles of Todd’s courage and that of several more warriors of character like him. It is my hope that Todd’s civilian contemporaries will read this book and resolve to love our country, too, maybe not as these courageous warriors have, but in their own way.

Our country needs more selfless role models like the Navy Seals and Todd who live to serve a higher purpose than them.  It needs fewer civilian critics focused upon self-interests.

I do not want to be an ungrateful critic of our nation. As I transition from a career in advocacy to retirement, I am resolved not to become one. When I retreat to the desert to pray, I  will give thanks for today’s Seals, for those who served in the past, and for guys like Todd to help to re-build today’s military survivors. I will give thanks for all the servicemen and women who have been vigilant from the days of our Founding Fathers onward.  By working on the Character Building Project, I hope to thank our armed services for their service. I am grateful for the opportunity to flourish that they have provided for my family and me. By writing Courage in America, I can tell our twelve grandchildren about these heroes. It should help them to join me in cherishing our military in our land of the free and home of the brave.

When the Seals arrive at Dover Air Force Base, the USO will be there making sure that the families of our fallen Seals are given support, comfort, and resources through their Families of the Fallen Support Program. Please join me in taking a moment to appreciate their sacrifice and helping the USO by going to:

http://www.uso.org/families-of-the-fallen-support/ and making a donation.