I have read that…  If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million other people in the world.  If you can attend worship services at church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.  Kay Warren

Is the quote above true for you?

Have you ever stopped to thank those that make it possible for you to live the life you lead?

This weekend America will honor our Military Veterans.  People that have been willing to give everything they have so that people all across our world may experience Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness!
If you attended church or a synagogue or a mosque this week and weren’t harassed…

If your children and grandchildren have never experienced life in a war-zone…

If you’ve shared any opinion in the past month over social media that disagrees with decisions that anyone in our government is making and not been threatened…

You are experiencing a freedom you should never ever take for granted. 

Please take the time to give back to the men and women that have made that possible! 

The links below will take you to three separate articles to help you support veterans at a higher level.

Want to encourage a veteran that has experienced brokenness after serving in a conflict?

This is a lesson from my grandfather a WWII Vet.

Wishing you had a better understanding of the emotional needs of veterans and their families? 

This article includes advice from three veterans and one mother.

Wishing you knew how to better support the physical needs of veterans that are transitioning out of the military?

This is a list of current ideas from CNN.  (Thank you Jon R Wallace for sharing the link!)

Image credits:  Susan Poirier

The refugees were primarily middle class families that left everything behind (homes, jobs, family, treasured keepsakes, toys…) and fled for their lives.

With no income and winter coming their physical needs are astronomical!

So both the husband and daughter were shocked when they discovered that the biggest need these people shared was not physical….

What they all needed more than anything else was to have someone sit and listen to their story. They needed someone to hear about:

• The bombings
• The inability to trust those around them
• The soldiers coming to their homes in the middle of the night threatening to kill the entire family because their child was in the wrong place at the wrong time
• The chaos
• The confusion
• The fear
• Their decision to leave
• The journey to escape
• Their new reality
• Their grief and loss
• Their concern for other family members and friends
• Their present reality
• The unknown future

They needed human connection.  They needed love. They needed prayers.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” Leo Buscaglia

Now pause and let that sink in.

• Have you ever had the opportunity to hear someone’s story and missed it?  (I have.)
• Have you ever listened to another human being that has been through a heart-breaking experience and felt like you haven’t done enough?  (I have.)

In the midst of looking back and pondering my historical actions, I see places I wish I had done more.  At the same time, I find more encouragement in this story than regret – as one of my greatest struggles in this new land has been wondering how to make a difference here.

As I let this story sink in, I’ve identified many times in my life where all I had to give was my ears, my heart, a gentle touch, a hug, and a prayer.  (A gift I always value when others share it with me, but a gift I too often discount when I am sharing it.)

What an encouragement to be reminded that what I think is small and insignificant may be the very thing the other person needs the most. 

It is interesting to note that after I typed this story up, I was reminded how a veteran responded when I asked “How can civilians do a better job of understanding and supporting Veterans and their families?”  And he too emphasized the importance of listening with this reply,

“The best thing a civilian can do is to listen to the Soldier and appreciate the sacrifices they made for our country.”  David Groce

If you’re already doing this for others ~ Be encouraged you are making a difference.

If not, will you make a focused effort to give someone this simple gift?  …When your family, your co-workers, your neighbors, the person in line at the grocery store or the stranger at the airport is near you simply and intentionally tune in.

Will you share a time that someone tuned into you and it made a difference?  Have you ever been changed by tuning into someone else?

“Every human being has a great yet often unknown gift to care, to be compassionate, to become present to the other, to listen, to hear and to receive. If that gift would be set free and made available, miracles could take place…”  Henri Nouwen

Want more?  Check out these additional articles about how listening impacts those that have been heard, those that have listened and even how it has impacted businesses.

• The story of two women where listening led to a friendship, mentoring, and growth.
• The story of one woman limited by life circumstances that consistently gives the gift of listening to others.
• When listening leads to profound organizational growth.

Image Credit:  iStock & Susan Poirier

A Veteran, whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The United States of America, for an amount up to and including his or her own life. Unknown

This Saturday is Armed Forces Day.  In honor of the men and women that have written a blank check for their lives in exchange for our freedom I asked several friends to help us understand their choice…  Adonis Phillips, Joseph Pullen, David Groce and LaDine Roth Cravotta are Veterans, Cathy Herring is a mother of a Veteran.

When I asked each one why they served I received a variety of answers: 

More than once, these former soldiers emphasized how much they believe in our nation’s freedom and how much they valued being a part of being something bigger than themselves and how much they valued the camaraderie.  Additionally…

• Adonis said that being a Marine was the only thing he ever wanted to be.
• Joseph and LaDine spoke of the funds to go to college.
• David spoke of the family tradition

When I asked what the hardest thing was that each one faced the answers were echoes of each other. 

The hardest thing I faced while serving was being away from my family.  I missed the births of both of my nieces (Korea for my oldest niece and Italy for my second niece).  I missed seeing them grow up and missed being able to spend time with them in day to day life.  They have grown into such beautiful young ladies and I missed allot of it.  For me, being in a combat zone is nothing compared to missing my family.  LaDine

The hardest thing I faced was the family separation.  I found out that my wife was pregnant with my son while in Southwest Asia during Desert Shield/Storm.  At that time my only goal was to get home safely to see my son born.  Adonis

Being away from family.  There were many instances in which I missed special events in my family’s life because I was some place other than home. Joseph

The hardest thing I faced was deploying to Operation Desert Storm and not so much in fear of going to war, but the thought of never seeing my wife and newborn son again.  David

The hardest part for me was when he deployed. We were not allowed to know where he was going and might not hear from him for awhile. I knew he was a highly trained soldier, but war is war. I even did CR to help me with my fear. Some days my faith was bigger than my fear, but I had many days that my fear was bigger than my faith. Those were Psalm 91 days.”  Cathy

“ Deployment tears your heart in two, only reconnected at homecoming. —UNKNOWN

When I asked what the most rewarding part of serving was.  The responses varied again. 

• Service to others.
• Developing others.
• Watching those you invested in grow and succeed.
• The travel and the global experience especially for the kids!
• The camaraderie.
• The people you meet!
• Knowing that what you are doing is keeping your friends and family safe.

When I asked what they learned lessons in life and leadership resonated:

Discipline and teamwork to be humble and to not take things that seem trivial for granted.  Adonis

I learned to communicate on an extremely high level. Dealing with people from such an extensive diverse background really opened my eyes and enhanced my communication skills. I learned we don’t live in a “one size fits all” universe and adjusting as you go is necessary to success. I learned that being a leader takes an enormous amount of learning, training, and thought. You have to get in front of people and ask them to do what you yourself are willing to do. I learned that we all share in success in failure by our actions. Actions are definitely louder than words and action should always be the highest form of example.  Joseph

I learned that friends can often be more important than family. I found that Veterans will bend over backwards for each other, and that’s a relationship that rarely exists in Corporate America. David

I learned to listen and be more understanding of people and their situations.  I was raised in a very small town in the midwest and hadn’t experienced much until I joined the Air Force.   I’ve met so many wonderful and diverse people over the years because of my service.  My time in the Air Force has also helped me to be more compassionate for others. We all have no idea of what people have been through in their lives and as a supervisor, I had to learn to always keep an open mind about the people I would encounter.  LaDine

I learned that some soldiers give their lives, but others give their minds. I learned that PTSD is very real and common for so many of our soldiers and vets. My son is finally healing, but he had to come to the conclusion he needed help before that healing process began. Cathy

The most important question I asked these people who were willing to exchange their lives for our freedom was,  “How can civilians do a better job of understanding and supporting Veterans and their families?” 

 Did you know that many studies indicate that 92% of military families felt that the civilian population doesn’t understand or appreciate their sacrifices?

Remember that the liberties you have are because of them.  Joseph

Get to know them. Adonis

Never pretend that you really understand what a veteran has gone through.  David

The best thing a civilian can do is listen to the Soldier and appreciate the sacrifices they made for our country.  David

I needed so much during his service. For someone to tell me that they were praying for him meant so much to me. A hug, a smile, a card, or a simple thank you kept me going. It still means a lot to me to see someone showing honor and pride for our soldiers. When I see one in public, I make a point to tell them thank you.  Cathy

As a Veteran, I still go up to other Veterans and ask them to share their best and worst day of serving in the military.  It helps opens up the door for conversation and allows the Veteran to share their stories.  I feel proud and honored when people do it to me, so I hope that I do the same thing when I do it to others.  LaDine

Today as I sit in a country where I can’t choose what I want to wear when I go out in public, where I can’t drive, where I can’t openly discuss my faith, and where websites are sometimes blocked.  I appreciate more than ever that the little things we take for granted in the U.S. are not a reality for the rest of the world.   

Will you seek out a veteran today, thank them for what they have done for our country and ask them to share their stories?

This story would not be complete without thanking the people in my life that are Veterans.

My Husband Jim was deployed for 14 months when we were still newlyweds.  (You were so worth the wait!)

My Dad Bill.  (I am so proud of you!)

Both of my Grandfathers.

Nearly all of my Uncles – and there are a lot of them!  (With special recognition to my Uncle Larry who volunteered to go to Vietnam in my Dad’s place when I was born early and was hospitalized for a period of time.  Words will never be able to convey the meaning of that gift.)

To numerous cousins and many dear friends.

Your service inspires me.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Image credit: Microsoft

If you enjoy what you read here…  Please share with a friend!

Over the past several weeks I have had many unexpected conversations with mothers of returning veterans, with spouses of returning veterans, and with people who provide services to veterans.  In every case they have emphasized the enormous struggles these men and women are facing:  

• As they try to process what they have experienced.
• As they grieve the loss of friends.
• As they adjust to physical injuries.
• As they attempt to re-enter life in the “civilian” world.
• As they try to reconnect with family and friends.
• And as they look for jobs.

The pressure is so intense that suicide has become an awful temptation for some and a horrible reality for others.

Would you be willing to seek out veterans and their families and show them how much you appreciate them and let them know that they will not be abandoned?  

Below are just a few ideas to get you started.  (Please share your ideas as well!)

1. Thank the veterans you know.
2. Thank the families of veterans.
3. Ask them how their transition is going.  Do they have a need you can help with?
   • Do they need help making a connection with a prospective employer?
   • Do they need help creating a resume or practicing interviewing skills?
   • Do they need a listening ear and some encouragement?
   • Do they have physical needs?
4. Get your organization involved in strategically recruiting veterans.
5. Call the Veterans Administration, your local Chamber of Commerce or a local Company Commander and find out how you can help. Do they need volunteers or financial assistance?

“…And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free.  

And I won’t forget those who gave that right to me.  

And I gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today.  

‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA.”  

Lee Greenwood

Photo credits:  iStock photo

~~~

Chery Gegelman is one of 21 author’s from 3 countries that connected virtually and discovered a shared passion that has resulted in a new book:

The Character-Based Leader:  Instigating a leadership revolution… One person at a time.

This book encourages people everywhere to lead from WHO they are not WHERE they sit.

“Do what you can, with what you have, right where you are.” Theodore Roosevelt

“With great power, comes great responsibility.” Stan Lee, Franklin D Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Voltaire

~~~

My Grandfather was a WWII Battle of the Bulge Veteran and although his nature was to accept whatever life handed him and to move on, the memories of the brokenness and devastation that the war created left a shadow of questions that haunted him.

For years he did his best to cope, while raising a large family and tending to a farm.  When his youngest grandchildren started asking about the war he found some healing by sharing stories with family and fellow veterans, but the questions themselves remained.

In 2004, 60 years after the battle he accompanied a number of veterans back to those battlefields. Considering the devastation of the homes, the cities and the lives that were directly impacted by the battles, grandpa was not sure what kind of a welcome they would receive.  Much to his surprise, everywhere they went they were treated as heroes!

On one particular day Grandpa was given the opportunity to choose a destination on his own, and was accompanied by only a guide, an interpreter, and my Father.  Everywhere they went that day, Grandpa was received with the same appreciation and honor that the group had been receiving. City Officials came out to meet him and shake his hand.  Grandchildren ran out to thank him for their bedridden grandparents.

Grandpa was honored and shocked by the reactions he was getting and finally voiced his thoughts, “How can you be so grateful when we left your homes, cities and country in such devastation?”