Veterans Day 2024
Thoughts About Being Around Soldiers
Mis compañeros, amigos, y familiares
Buenos días. It is a fall Sunday morning - leaves have generally fallen now and it was a crisp 30 degrees on our walk - now I have a little time for reading, pondering, writing and reflecting. November is an important month. Last week I started with Beat Air Force and Election Day - It is now Veterans Day weekend.
Beat Air Force (mission accomplished 20-3)
Election Day (Duty to your country)
Veterans Day (Monday is 11/11)
Native American Heritage Month
Thanksgiving Day
BLUF: Monday we find ourselves at the 11th day of the 11th month - Veterans Day - one of the truly American holidays together with Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving Day. Veterans Day is more than a holiday; it’s a moment to honor the legacy of all who have served with courage and commitment.
For clarity - Veterans Day is different than Memorial Day. Memorial Day we celebrate those who gave their lives or last full measure of devotion in the service to the Nation. On Veterans Day we celebrate those who served and are still with us. This will sound self serving since we have employed a volunteer military for the last 50 years, but I admit it hurts a little when an organization decides NOT to recognize Veterans Day as a holiday and they just drive on like it is another day. It shows a lack of gratitude to those who serve and their families and in some ways reinforces the ‘what’s in it for me’ attitude.
It is somewhat common for folks to say something like “Thank you for your service” on Veterans Day. I am going to recommend you change that a little and instead when you see a veteran, go a little deeper and ask:
What did you do in the service?
Where did you serve?
What did you enjoy most about your time in the military?
Try to get some of those stories of service and sacrifice out of them.
“Liberty and freedom and democracy are so very precious that you do not fight to win them once — and then stop. Liberty and freedom and democracy are prizes awarded only to those peoples who fight to win them, and then keep fighting eternally to hold them.” - Alvin York
Not long ago I shared the HBR article and book written by Clayton Christensen called How Will You Measure Your Life? Dr Christensen was a professor at the Harvard Business School, so this isn’t necessarily something written by Mother Theresa but if you think about it, it could have been. https://hbr.org/2010/07/how-will-you-measure-your-life
He encourages us to find your purpose and live on a way that demonstrates what is truly important, then look to validate you found a purpose that is greater than just you.
“Think about the metric by which your life will be judged, and make a resolution to live every day so that in the end, your life will be judged a success.” - Clayton Christiansen
Veterans Day reminds me of wrestling to find your purpose in life because many Soldiers (and Cadets) enter the service for lots of different reasons. Don’t get me wrong, Soldiers don’t have it all figured out most of the time, but they are some of the most selfless characters I haver known during my life. Over time they generally learn that success is based on teamwork and giving a damn about others.
“Nothing in life is of any value unless it is shared with others.” - Coach George Raveling
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” - Jackie Robinson
During 27+ years of my life, I was privileged to wear the uniform of the Army of the United States in one way or another. During the last several years I have again taken an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic as a Department of the Army civilian where I serve alongside great veterans every day as we seek to develop future Army Officers who ideally care about more than just themselves.
Over the years I have been asked why I stuck with it as long as I did. When I started, I wasn’t thinking about an Army career, I started with the desire to do my duty and move on. Reality is that the Army reminded me a lot of the various teams I played on over the years - football, basketball, baseball. The Army is a team sport that is very interdependent with a higher purpose bigger than any individual.
As an officer, you’re a caretaker of the unit, there to leave it better than you found it, to contribute and make it better for the next generation coming along. Soldiers are looking for good leaders, teachers, positive role models, and mentors. They assess if you give a damn about them. Our job is to develop them. You have to show confidence in them, learn from the ups and downs andput them back out there after failure, and keep going. You do your best to build a diverse and cohesive team - even prepare your team, and then lead from the front through whatever your Country needs you to do as a team.
This expectation of teamwork and selflessness can be a hard lesson for some Cadets - both due to our current culture of what’s in it for me, and because we are constantly measuring them as individuals. We tend to assess them by their class rank, academic grades, performance in a physical fitness test etc…. Most of which are very individual assessments which can screw all of this up. Yes they are individuals, but we seek to help them see the light of selfless service.
In our officership class we are reading (and sometimes watching) Band of Brothers, the book by Stephen Ambrose about Easy Company, 2-506th Parachute Infantry Regiment assigned to the 101st Airborne Division during WWII. There are tremendous lessons throughout this book.
The book opens with the quote from Shakespeare’s Henry V: “From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remembered; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.”
Veterans who have shared hardships and experiences are maybe even stronger bonds than brothers.
The quote below (and the video) is part of a speech given to a unit of German soldiers by their general as they surrender at the end of the war and is translated by an American Soldier. What stands out about this quote is how, despite who is speaking it, it is true for any and all Soldiers. The speech's themes of brotherhood and shared trauma may be targeted at German soldiers, but are true for the Americans as well. It is an inspiring and honest piece of dialogue that encompasses much of what Band of Brothers is about.
“Men, it’s been a long war, it’s been a tough war. You’ve fought bravely, proudly for your country. You’re a special group. You’ve found in one another a bond, that exists only in combat, among brothers. You’ve shared foxholes, held each other in dire moments. You’ve seen death and suffered together. I’m proud to have served with each and every one of you. You all deserve long and happy lives in peace.” - German General speaking to his troops as they surrender at the end of the war
Veterans Day is an opportunity to recognize the service of those who are around us - the living current and former members of the military. Those who demonstrated their love of country and those sacrifices extend well beyond themselves, but also applies to the wives and children who stand proudly by the veterans both present and past, for they too endure much, oftentimes more than the veterans we honor. My wife Penni and our children Hadley and Blake endured significantly more than I ever have in our more than 30 years of marriage and I am eternally grateful to them - I am not sure they knew what was coming, but they made a significant commitment and sacrifice.
During General Colin Powell’s funeral, his son Michael made the following statement:
“The example of Colin Powell does not call on us to emulate his résumé,It is to emulate his character and his example as a human being. We can strike to do that. We can choose to be good.” - Michael Powell
A statement like that, from the son of a veteran, is all that any veteran can ask for. It reminds me that General Powell, a veteran, also found his purpose in life and it was all about influencing the lives of others.
If I try to describe the Soldiers I have served with it can be hard and emotional for me. So I will share my description from a few years ago in the lines that follow as the memories are very vivid - in fact I may be crying as I type this and I think of the great Americans I have served alongside.
Soldiers come from a diverse background and as we are not seeking to create a clone army like a chapter from Star Wars, it can be hard to pin down their generalized characteristics, and I dont like stereotypes, but I’ll give it a try. I do note that in my days serving in Armor and Infantry units, it was before there were women in these units. I don’t diminish in any way the service of women in the military - it is so very critical - but as I think of Soldiers they tend to be young men on an Abrams tank, Bradley Fighting Vehicle, or my HWMMV crew - Tankers, Scouts and Infantryman in peace or in war.
My perception comes from hours on end of talking to Soldiers through the night, sitting in a tank while scanning through a thermal sight looking for the enemy, driving through the desert either on a dusty road or without any road, sharing a meal on a rainy day knee deep in mud, baking in the 120 degree sun, or while waiting at an airport for the next flight out.
When I shut my eyes and run through my memory, I see a young man - he is an athletic looking character with a short haircut who outside the military would generally be thought of as a kid. Since most are between the ages of 18-25, he most likely is not old enough to buy alcohol (not that he probably won’t try), but definitely is old enough to die for his country.
He probably didn’t join the Army due to patriotism - I found most were seeking to escape home maybe with visions of future college, but definitely a sense of adventure away from wherever home is. He was told he could be an Army scout or on a big ass tank and that sounded really cool when the recruiter described it - 65 tons of twisted steel and sex appeal. Many, if not most, have a family history of service - they have parents, aunts/uncles, brothers/sisters, and grandparents who serve or have served and that led them in this direction.
Most only recently graduated High School - in a few cases he spent a semester or two at college and decided he wanted something else - something away from the classroom. Frankly, he was probably an average student, maybe even bored with formal school, who was athletic enough to play a sport - but probably wasn’t the star of the team. He is usually a bit of a character, even a man of great humor - those Readers Digest Humor in Uniform stories I used to read are inevitably very true.
He probably worked throughout high school as he rarely came from a wealthy family, but he didn’t see himself in the average jobs many of his buddies found near home. Even if flipping burgers pays better than the Army these days – it wasn’t what he was looking for.
Like the commercial used to say - he now does more before 8am than most people do all day. He looks different than he did before he enlisted because he is working well before dawn and spends a lot of nights under the stars. The mess hall food is actually better than advertised, but he burns so many calories and spends so much time outside, often doing some heavy labor, it tends to make him leaner than before.
He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz... but the music is often interrupted by artillery rounds, tank rounds, and machine gun fire. These become common sounds over time, both in peace (ever spend the day at Fort Hood / now Fort Cavazos and just listened) or war (lots of stuff goes boom in the night).
Maybe the most obvious change is he is incredibly self-sufficient for his age and has matured well beyond his old high school buddies. He has learned to play cards or dominoes in the hours of waiting and maybe picked up a tobacco habit he didn't necessarily want, but purely because those who smoke got a 'smoke break' while the non smokers kept working he decided to try it. Hopefully he will quit the tobacco habit before it becomes permanent, but tobacco (fewer smokers, more dippers now) and lots of coffee are pretty common.
He learned a little auto mechanics while trying to keep his ten year old car on the road that is questionable for the next safety inspection (that was before the wars started - once we started deploying and they saved tax free money for a year while deployed, they would buy new cars or motorcycles when we returned). As a result, he is a master at troubleshooting problems on a tank at 0200 under pitch black conditions. He can recite to you the -10 manual for the tank, disassemble - assemble - and complete a function check on the 25mm chain gun, machine gun, or grenade launcher and use them effectively whenever necessary.
He can apply first aid like a professional medic both to himself and his buddies. He obeys orders without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. At times he may have frustrated me - questioning my authority or even undermining my actions - but when the chips are down, I mean really down, he is always there - he has his head in the game and inspires me with his courage, his sense of duty, his love and respect. he has learned to give a damn about others.
When we roll to the field he brings a six pack of Dr Pepper, or Coke because they fit perfectly in the smoke grenade boxes (I took Diet Coke). He prefers to wear the Nomex or maintenance coveralls because they don’t get caught on the tank and tear like BDUs (or DCUs or ACUs or whatever the newest patterned uniform is called) do. He may smell like a bear after a few days and his uniform covered in petroleum products, but he keeps his canteens full and manages to live off coffee by the gallon.
He can transition from sleeping to driving in the simple flick of the wrist - as long as you can get his attention (which may require beating the drivers hatch with a mattock handle or sledgehammer). More than once I had to clarify right from left (even righting an R on his right hand and an L on his left with a sharpie) - but once he gets the hang of it - he never fails to get you safely there.
He may have to be reminded to brush his teeth like your kids do, but he never fails to keep the turret clean thanks to a great NCO who teaches high expectations. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own injuries. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you, if you are hungry, his food, cold he will find a way to get you warmed up (ever stand behind a running 1500 horsepower tank engine? - you’ll smell like diesel and cordite, but you are guaranteed to warm up if you don't melt your clothes first).
He doesn’t believe there is any such thing as “too much ammo” and knows to top off with JP8 at every opportunity. He dislikes the idea of dismounting and has mastered doing everything he needs to do from inside or on top of the vehicle (check the seal on the Gatorade bottle before assuming it is Gatorade)
He can save your life - or take it, because that is exactly what he has trained for countless hours, days, weeks, and months.
There is no doubt he has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short life. He has helped evacuate an injured and bleeding buddy onto a helicopter. He has attended too many memorials resulting in his weeping in public, for friends who have fallen in combat - but he is unashamed that he cares so much.
As the National Anthem plays - he stands at attention and renders the appropriate salute while specific memories roll through his mind. He is trying to control his burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking.
He may be a character – but he is a Soldier and he does his duty like nobody I have ever known. As Americans we show our appreciation for their service by the way we live our lives as citizens of this very blessed land.
Veterans of war, both past and present, have long shown this willingness to go out and meet all kinds of threats. And yet, while often honored, especially in victory, many veterans have found themselves isolated or abandoned when the fighting is over.
Adjusting to normal life can be a struggle as they seek to refine their PURPOSE - something that maybe had while serving and have to wrestle with again after service. In the last century or so, and especially after World War II, many nations have gained a greater understanding and appreciation of the need to support their Soldiers when they come home. This was something that Abraham Lincoln recognized when he urged the nation “to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan.”
A few other quotes that stand out to me as we head into Veterans Day:
“The soldier is the Army. No Army is better than its soldiers. The soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one's country.” - George S. Patton
“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” - President John F. Kennedy
“It doesn’t matter how tough things get, you’re tougher. Don’t give up on yourself. Let the others do that.” - COL Bruce P. Crandall
“Throughout my life I've met plenty of superheroes, but the strongest and most effective among them were simply human and knew they weren't perfect. They were the men and women who, like my father, believed in their duty to country and sacrificed for others without hesitation.” - GEN Ann E. Dunwoody
“I didn’t go out to win the Medal of Honor. The only reason I got it is because I feared failing my brothers and my guys more than I feared death or dismemberment. So I did what I did to protect them.” - SSG Ty Carter
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” President John F. Kennedy
Returning to Band of Brothers - the book ends with a reflection from one of the veterans Mike Rainey: "In thinking back on the days of Easy Company, I'm treasuring my remark to a grandson who asked, 'Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?'
No,'" I answered, 'but I served in a company of heroes.”
When all is said and done, the only question that matters is, "Did I do my best?" Life is all about giving back, not taking. May God bless our Soldiers, Veterans, their Families, and the United States of America!
This Week, I Will
Give a Damn About and Serve Others
Be grateful
Do my duty - regardless of circumstances or consequences
Do not whine, complain, or make excuses
Make each day my masterpiece
Thank you for taking a few minutes to read and reflect with an old tanker today. Fight for the right things - Fight Hard - Fight on to Victory! Beat Notre Dame!
Happy Veterans Day to all those veterans and their families who might read this. Commit to being the best American you can be
Dewey
I reflect each week on what I have been learning - I encourage you to reflect daily or weekly as well. I share these notes just to get you thinking about topics related to leadership and character - Do great things!
Hard to believe it has been 20ish years - here is the crew of both my Bradley Fighting Vehicle and HWMMV crew in Iraq, 1-30 Infantry Battalion Battle Boars!
