Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Sorrow for the 911 Families, the Troops, Wounded Warriors, Survivors

St. Louis
Everything changed on 911. Perspectives clash about why it happened. Ever since, our military families have
carried the burden of the war. I often taught Marines who were being readied at the Yuma Proving Grounds to go over to Iraq, or to serve there again. I had one SEAL in class, people in Harrier repair, former aircraft carrier crew, all types.

One woman was waiting for her husband to return from Iraq in a few days. I gave her a cigar to give him, as a thank-you. She began crying. I enjoying sharing cigars with servicemen and their families, long before Hope and Change.

Hope Unseen: The Story of the U.S. Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer
His humor and insights simply wowed the Walmart meeting.

At a Walmart meeting, the author of Hope Unseen spoke to the audience of executives. Smiley was blinded by an attack in Iraq and decided to stay active duty. He went from despair to earning an MBA, climbing Mt. Rainier, skydiving, and more. His beautiful wife also spoke. They had to battle the military to keep him active duty, an act that changed military policy.

LI enjoys working at Walmart, because the military are honored year around, with extra special events on important holidays. The company welcomes and values former military. One is still in the reserves as an admiral. I looked around behind me, when I was alerted to where he was sitting. Yes, he looked like an admiral.