[June 10, 2019] Last year while visiting Arlington National Cemetery, I came upon a group of U.S. Marines who had taken a knee next to the grave of their Company Commander who had been killed in battle. They were showing their respect for the man who had saved them in 2004 at the Second Battle of Fallujah. To… Read More »
[June 8, 2019] There’s an old but common piece of advice for leaders; praise in public, punish in private. For me (I was always a bit slower at picking up good habits) it meant that when we give someone a reward, it should be done where others can see it. But if we want to punish someone for… Read More »
[June 6, 2019] Most of the people alive today in the world were born after the year 1995. To them, the Longest Day, D-Day, must seem like ancient history. Arguably the most important date of the 20th Century for all living people, most folks don’t even understand its direct impact on their lives and the freedoms they enjoy.… Read More »
[June 5, 2019] The thumbnail to this article shows General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander, speaking with paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division before their jump into France on this date, June 5, 1944. The day before D-Day, originally planned for this date but delayed due to poor weather, the great juggernaut of more than 1.5 million… Read More »
[June 3, 2019] Like many before me who served in the military, I’m repeatedly asked what I miss about being in the service. “Do you miss the action?” is a common question but misses the point about why our military folks miss being around other service members. Military veterans will tell you that they miss the people because… Read More »
[May 27, 2019] Now that I’m approaching the 7th-decade mark of my life, I no longer remember how many memorials to fallen comrades I’ve attended. Memorial Day 2019 will be special for me as I attend, once again, ceremonies and parades with our local Boy Scout Troop to remember those who died in battle or from wounds sustained… Read More »
[May 4, 2019] Since the beginning of the War on Terrorism after the attacks on America, there has been an increase in the number of organizations that fill needs the military cannot handle. One need is post-service veteran needs related to combat injuries. This is where K9 Warriors, Inc. comes in. Last week I attended a Veterans Administration… Read More »
[April 22, 2019] Last week I was invited to attend a special ceremony when young members advanced from Cub Scout to older Boy Scouts. The Pack advanced seven boys with many family members in attendance. To show respect (and to gain it in return) requires leaders to be present at these bridging ceremonies. We all shook the hand… Read More »
[April 5, 2019] There’s an old stereotype about high-ranking politicians; they cannot function without an entourage of hangers-on, large staffs, and a litany of helpers and attention seekers. It would seem our political leaders are out of touch with the world because they exist in a bubble, dependent upon others. In the military, we call any such person… Read More »
[April 3, 2019] I was listening to a podcast the other day with Professor Jordan Peterson of the University of Toronto. By his explanation, the talk was an exploration of the origins of religious thinking. Thinking is, of course, the one thing leaders must do and do better than others. He mentioned the story of St. George and… Read More »