Mar

1

Settling into the Year 2018

Filed Under Aging, American Patriotism, Bless Our Troops, Courage, Dog is God, Dogs, Family, Happiness, Happy New Year, Journey, Love, Service Dogs, TBI & PTSD, Tears, Tears of a Warrior, Veterans | Comments Off on Settling into the Year 2018

by Janet J. Seahorn, Ph.D

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Now that we’re well into the New Year, and thinking about moving forward into a year of fresh beginnings. Remembering and preserving old friendships, being aware and grateful for an abundance of goodness, people, health and purposeful work that occupy our days can offer a sense of optimism. Yet, most important, having a richness of love in our lives – love of family (yes, even those that sometimes drive us nuts), love (and loss) of endearing pets, love of neighbors and friends, and love of something within and above us that help to guide us through the darkness.

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For some that light may be almost infinitesimal dim.  Bob Woodruff, a well-known journalist and author who suffered a devastating brain injury from an IED while covering the military in Iraq wrote in his book “In an Instant“, “First you must touch the black and then go back up to the light.” It was his way of “acknowledging that you have to let the fear in, but to dwell on the fear will only cripple you. You need to move back into a world of hope.”

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There is no denying that 2017 was a year of great challenges and loss for many, and 2018 hasn’t been easier with the recent death of our beloved service dog, Bailey. Family members, treasured pets and very dear friends are no longer with us. Saying goodbye has never been easy even when we recognize that it is for the best (at least for that loved one).

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However, we are trying hard to center on the plentiful blessings in our lives. The old saying, “It is just as easy to focus on being positive as it is to be negative”, every so often can seem like a big bowl of crap.  Advice to the reader – listening can be more important than trying to comfort an individual by making comments such as “Suffering builds character”.  I’ve never believed that old cliché.  I think suffering reveals character more than builds it. Sometimes, we simply need to allow ourselves and others to grieve, to be sad, and to nurture our physical and emotional selves.

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Nonetheless, I still believe that life is worth the time to live fully and with resolve.  I still believe that most people are generous and decent.  I still believe that compassion trumps unkindness and hate generates more cruelty in a world already filled with too much bitterness.  I still believe that truth is more important than ever to counteract the deceit and false narratives of which others try to convince us. And, more than ever, I still believe in hope, for without hope it would be hard to wake up each morning with a sense of joyfulness.

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Lastly, for our veterans, first responders and their families we wish you a year filled with peace, prosperity, and well-being.

You’ve sacrificed enough.

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Daily count your blessings and know how precious those special moments can be.

Jan, Bailey, ChaseBA3

Now it’s time to enjoy an exceptionally amazing New Year.

 

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Jun

30

“Remember Me”

Filed Under American Patriotism, Family, Fourth of July, Tears of a Warrior, Troops, Veterans, War | Comments Off on “Remember Me”

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Patriotic Video “Remember Me” by a 15 year old girl. Please view as you have a safe 4th of July. Remember and God Bless our Troops!

http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1

Jul

1

Did You Know?

Filed Under Today's War | Comments Off on Did You Know?

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On our last blog we wrote about the reunion of Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry. The banquet’s guest speaker was COL Rainey of Fort Carson. In his speech he mentioned how important it was that the American people know and realize the many accomplishments of the troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since the media often reports the “terrible” stuff, he shared some of the more positive accomplishments of the current 3rd Battalion, 4th Infantry at Fort Carson. The following list is pretty impressive.  More importantly, it balances the picture of this current war – a balance that shows the good along with the bad and ugly. Are you aware of some of the accomplishments of our soldiers?

  • Killed and captured over 3700 terrorists and criminals
  • Recovered over 2700 enemy weapons caches
  • Coached, taught, and mentored Iraqi security forces
  • Increased the police forces by over 12,000 policemen
  • Transitioned 50,000 Sons of Iraq to government control
  • Executed 2680 projects, improving the lives of Iraqis… sewer, water, electricity, agriculture, trash…
  • Issued $14 million in micro grants, creating 7,000 jobs
  • Executed 168 micro-generation projects, providing reliable electricity to tens of thousands
  • Opened 405 schools, 55 clinics/hospitals, 18 swimming pools, and 49 new parks
  • Did this with less combat power – 44 to 21 Battalions and the size or our battle space doubled

Did you know that because of these beneficial works, our American troops are striving hard to win the minds and hearts of a foreign people in a foreign land? A short verse in the Bible states, “By their works you will know them”. Maybe, when we leave the battle ground of Iraq, we will leave a legacy of good deeds and a future of greater hope. Maybe, war is more than killing and pain. Maybe, it is also a bit about small kindnesses and humane acts of decency. At the very least, when we read about the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, we will remember the other part of the story.