A Day to Remember

June 18th is my Alive Day- known as the anniversary of the date a veteran almost lost their life in service.

It’s a deeply personal day for me- I usually spend some time appreciating my life and those around me. I’m also a little conflicted as two members of my team lost their lives- Ross Toles and Marc Retmier- on that day. I honor them on Memorial Day, but even today they are not far from my mind.

I’m reminded on this day why I seek to serve others- because the future isn’t certain, every day counts, and perhaps there’s a higher reason I continue to be alive when others had their life, and future, taken from them.

Blog photo- I participated in an internship alongside John P. Jones, featured in the HBO special- Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq (2007). Here’s a picture of us together alongside billionaire T. Boone Pickens.