Recently, I had a serious conversation with a friend who is completely against what we’re trying to build through the SSG Alan Shaw Foundation.
I’ll be honest, this conversation has bothered me for weeks now.
At one point she looked at me and said, “As a Christian, you know they’re not there, so why would you bother going back?”
For a moment, I didn’t know how to answer. All I could think to say was, “You wouldn’t understand.”
The more I’ve reflected on that conversation, the more I’ve realized that truly was the answer.
At first, I was hurt. I couldn’t understand how someone could look at this mission and not immediately see the value in it.
Then it finally clicked.
Bless her heart, she’s a liberal.
Patriotism doesn’t run through her veins the way it runs through yours and mine.
For many of us, it’s completely different.
When we stand at our hero’s grave, we’re not looking for our hero because we know exactly where they are.
We’re looking at a life and a legacy that mattered.
Our fallen were husbands, fathers, mothers, wives, sons, daughters, friends and leaders. They were people who loved their families and loved this country enough to give everything in service to it.
Our desire to go back will never be just about a headstone. It’s about making sure the world never forgets who they were.
That’s the part she couldn’t see.
The mission of this foundation is not just about those headstones. It’s about legacy. It’s about making sure children and grandchildren know the names, stories, sacrifices, and values of the heroes who came before them. It’s about ensuring that long after we’re gone, someone will still remember.
Because a person dies twice.
Once when they take their last breath.
And again the last time their name is spoken.
As long as we’re here to keep telling their stories, that second death doesn’t happen.
.@SECWAR just told the story of Medal of Honor recipient Major James Capers Jr.
“When President Johnson ordered Jim Capers to rescue our POWs, Capers saluted and deployed. He first arrived at one of those awful camps thinking our men would be there, but the enemy had moved them.
Capers looked at that place where the communists held and tortured our men, and he said, ‘NEVER AGAIN.’
He declared, ‘This camp will not hold another American Marine or soldier!’
And, so, Jim Capers and his men burned that camp to the ground...”
There’s a model in Memorial Hall at the Naval Academy of Col John Ripley climbing under a bridge to set explosives under heavy fire. I always wondered why he didn’t receive the Medal of Honor.
Decades later, I watched POTUS right this wrong. I’m proud to have a small part of this.
Get ready to send your name a MILLION MILES AWAY!!
Submit your name to be added to a memory card that will fly on the Roman Space Telescope this year to Lagrange point 2, the same location as @NASAWebb.
https://t.co/4SCJMq12hM
Submissions close July 12th.
@RMH_MMA@UFConParamount@paramountplus What would be cool is if they also did a behind the scenes of the whitehouse event! Hoping that’s in the back pocket somewhere @danawhite@joerogan especially with some highlights of the Presidents Band!
@FreddyLA7@astros@houstonpolice Freddy you’re going to have quite the scrapbook and displays for your home!! I hope your journaling as you go to help with the scrapbook 💙 thanks for sharing your trip with the world!
ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES was released 35 years ago today.
Sean Connery’s surprise appearance as King Richard was filmed in just a couple of days. He delivered one of the most memorable cameo endings of the era.
“Another chapter?! Even though 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' was cancelled last year, Cote de Pablo hints that there could be more story to tell.” - @EW
Entertainment Weekly is onboard our campaign! You know what to do, tiva family! Like, comment and share their posts - https://t.co/rD6EqQjz3l
#SaveTonyandZiva
3, 2, 1, BLAST OFF! Meet the Artemis II astronauts and hear them read two exciting stories about space on the newest episode of Storytime with the Second Lady. 🌖🚀 @NASA@NASAArtemis
https://t.co/3Eqvo1sCRE
@dmbkparker Any book by WEB Griffin there are quite a few series. My favorite Badge of Honor.
Getting ready to start the books by Leon Carroll & Mark Harmon “Ghost of” series
The 51/49 Raffle is already over $72,590 👀👀
If you’re at The Fortress, grab your tickets for your chance to win 🎟️
Promotional support of the 51/49 Raffle is presented by @raisingcanes