Wounded Warriors… Harnessing Adversity
At the outset of writing Courage in America, I wish to credit the ten wounded warriors who shared with me their arduous journeys from their traumatic injuries to individual greatness. I also wish to acknowledge Dr. Paul Stoltz and Erik Weihenmayer, not only for having greatly influenced my thinking by there book, The Adversity Advantage but also for their ongoing support to the Character Building Project.
Good Character Marches On
Over the last five years, I have dedicated myself to studying the formation of character in our culture. Politics with Principle, for example, analyzed the character development of ten characters with character. One of those characters, Admiral Tom Lynch, the former Superintendent of the Naval Academy, encouraged me to look closely at the formation of character at the Naval Academy as well as at other of our nation’s military academies. As a result of that effort, I have discovered the fact that the Coast Guard, Air Force, Naval, and Army academies are institutions offering world-class leader-development. They have been, and continue to be, breeding grounds for future leaders with good character. Continue reading
Uncommon Courage, Common To Todd And Crystal Nicely
Yesterday I had the honor and privilege to meet Todd and Crystal Nicely, two Marines, both American heroes. The Nicelys will “anchor” my book Courage in America. In the weeks ahead, I hope to identify nine other “characters with character” to join them in a cast of heroes. Your help in identifying other heroes from our military that might approach the caliber of Todd and Crystal is very much invited. As you will see from visiting Todd’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Todd-Nicely-Wounded-Warrior-Benefit/109240662434558), the Nicelys set a very high bar. Continue reading
GOOD CHARACTER IS ESSENTIAL TO SELF GOVERNMENT
It seems the lack of good character exists in all human endeavor, whether in politics, business or sports. Yet, I was almost always greeted with hearty laughter when I responded I was writing a book about characters with character in politics. Politics with Principle profiled and documented 10 characters with exemplary character. My narrative revealed the complicated intermingling of personal traits and political skills at the heart of the character each created. Each crafted a character for themselves that reflected the virtues and moral values they brought and did not betray in their public service careers. Continue reading