Category: perserverance

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The Pandemic is bad, but Memories Help us

It has been a long few weeks around here. Being in a lock down is because of the Pandemic, not fun. I am climbing the walls, and want the freedom to do what I want in life. Of course, that is not possible, and we should obey the rules for the sake of others.

When I was in basic training, I had some interesting times. Let me share one of them:

We were done at the firing range one day, and our platoon leader had something he had to do so he asked a Warrant Officer to march us back to the barracks.

A few of us realized that this Officer had no idea on how to lead a group in a march. So before he brought us to attention we whispered among us that we were going to follow his commands only if the were Army commands.

He told us to start marching. We froze. He ordered us to start marching. Still no movement. Finally another platoon leader came over to help him, by saying, “Company attention! Forward march! ” We started marching. We were going along OK until he saw that we were marching towards a boat ramp. He yelled, “Stop!” We kept marching. He screamed, “Stop now.” We kept marching. The front of the group was starting into the water! The frustrated officer finally screamed for help, and a Army soldier came over and yelled, “Company Halt!” We stopped, and then he yelled, “About face.'” We turned the other way, and he said “Forward march.!” By this time there were many of the platoon swimming in the water, laughing their heads off. We decided that was enough torture for the officer, and obeyed all of his commands after that.

The next morning when we were in formation, the company commander came out and scolded us for our adventure, and started laughing on his way back to his office.

I have many other stories like this in my up coming book called, “Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of life.” I am almost finished. I will keep you posted.

Have you been deployed, and had a bad experience. Did you get PTSD, TMI, Depression, etc.

You are not alone. Be strong, and know that many veterans read this blog, and are in the same boat with you. Just tell us about it and we have your six. Use the comment section below to do that. No need to say your name.

This blog has about 8,000 followers. That is because veterans can come here and find hope.

If you like what you see, please subscribe, by clicking on the icon at the top of this page. When you do you will receive any future posts right in your inbox. Please let other veterans know about this site who you think may benefit from it.

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all….never, ever, give up!

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Transcending from the military is Often Tough

Today I am just going to talk to you. I have been sharing military news, and now I am sharing with you directly.

What is happening in your life? Do you have times that you are depressed.? Are there times you wish you could just stay in bed all day? How about your daily routine? Do you avoid projects, because you fear failure?

There is much more of course, but I think you get the picture.

When we transcend from military life to civilian life, things can be very tough. People don’t understand you. They think you are still a soldier and some fear you. Finding work is a challenge. Your training does not fit most jobs.

If you are there I hear you.

When I first go out, I got a job as a grocery clerk. Not a job you really want to brag about, but my cousin got me the job and I was grateful. It was with Pigglly Wiggly, the grocery change with a funny name.

I decided I needed to get back to college, and get a degree. I had one term at George Fox College, and even played on the college football team. I was feeling good again.

The drive from Salem, Oregon to Newberg, Oregon was about a 40 mile drive each way.

One day early in the morning I was driving to school. It was cold and slippery and there was black ice. (Ice you can’t see.) I hit a patch of the ice and I was out of control. I hit a deep ditch that had water in it. I rolled several times. When the car stopped I was just above water. I was in pain, but I crawled out to safety.

My car was totaled and I had to quit college because I couldn’t afford getting a new car and paying for college at the same time.

I felt defeated, alone, and depressed.

I finally packed my family up and moved to California. I was told that Safeway, a huge grocery chain, was looking for new people. I got there and they put me through a training school and hired me.

Long story short….. I worked for them for eight years, and advanced quickly to being the “third,” man in one of the huge stores.

I still wasn’t happy!

We had added two more children, and I was working crazy hours. I never got to be with my family much. I decided to go back to college again in a Junior college. I did really well there. Had several terms of a 4.0 GPA.

I was feeling good again. However. Safeway asked me the important question: “Are you using your college training to advance with us or are you going elsewhere.”

Being honest I said I was planning to be a teacher. BOOM! They put me in the basement, and had me marking prices on cans. They didn’t want to have anything to do with me.

I transferred to Oregon State University, and got my degree in education. I had reached my dream, and the rest is history. I spent 22 years of joy working with children.

Finally, I made it to what I really wanted to do, but I hit a lot of walls, and disappointments to get there.

That may be how you will have to struggle once you get into civilian life. Many ups a downs, but a huge reward in the end. Let me share some suggestions to help you transcend into civilian life:

  1. There is always sunshine somewhere.
  2. The path may be rough but it leads to a smooth ending.
  3. Throw out the negative thoughts, and keep the positive ones.
  4. Perseverance should be your main word for life.
  5. Take one day at a time, and make them count.
  6. Above all…never, ever, give up!

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

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What Can We do to Reach Out to Our Hurting Veterans?

Today I will share some news about military, and add some of my own thoughts.

Quick thoughts:

  1. Walgreens now accepts Tricare.
  2. One in ten Vietnam veterans have Hepatitis C and don’t even know it. Get tested!
  3. Becoming a gardener helps a lot with PTSD.
  4. The American Legion web site is one of the top resources for job seekers.

What can we do to reach out to our fellow veterans who are in need?

This questions has come up many times. What can we really do? I have some thoughts and ideas.

  1. Check out your very own neighborhood and see how many veterans live near you. Get to know them and help where they may need help.
  2. When you are in a restaurant, don’t be bashful. If you see a veteran with a hat on saying what branch he was in. Go greet him and talk to him.
  3. I was shopping at a grocery store and saw a WWll veteran. I thanked him and it lead to a great interview for my new book , Signs of Hope for the Military: IN and Out of the Trenches of Life. We have become good friends.
  4. I was having coffee with several fellow heart disease men and women after our workout at cardiac rehab. Three of them were veterans. Got three interviews from that and kept them as new friends.
  5. At church, I have found there are many veterans who go there. I have connected with many of them who have become friends. They love to sit and talk.

What about you who are having your own struggles?

Need some help yourself? This is the right place to be my friend. There are over 7,000 followers here who are in the same boat. Make a comment at the end of this post. and I know many will read it and reach out.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all….never ,ever, give up!