It’s graduation day!

I barely remember my graduation from high school. I blame time for those lost memories. But I?do?remember the day I walked across the stage at the 美国马里兰大学帕克分校 Xfinity Center in front of thousands of people. It was a mind-blowing experience. Thousands of college graduates joined me as we completed our journey towards a?bachelor's?degree at the University of Maryland Global Campus . Having my mom, sister, and her family made the day complete. Sadly, I?didn’t?get to walk the stage due to COVID-19 when I completed my?master's?with UMass Global . But?I’m?happy?that many?of?today's?graduates?are given?the chance. I know all too well the feeling of?not being able?to do that or having to do it from a camera on your computer/phone. It is a tough pill to swallow.?

This week?I?completed my initial journey with FourBlock and officially graduated from this past Wednesday.?It was an eye-opening experience that brought my focus in and gave me tools, resources, and connections to help me?in my?transition to civilian life after 20 years of faithful service in the Navy.?I’m extremely?grateful for the opportunity and help I received?along the way.?

But today is not about me, today?is actually about my wife. Noelle Miller is completing her journey to becoming a United States Air Force First Sergeant.?I’m?so proud of her and all?that she?has done to reach this pivotal moment in her career. She has always had a caring heart and steadfast determination to help people. This position?was made?for people like Noelle. I have been honored to be a part of this process with her and her classmates. I am forever grateful that I got to spend this time with her. Something?the military life rarely affords us.?

Graduation days are a monumental event that?isn’t?just about you,?it’s?about them?too. Something I?didn’t?realize when I graduated from high school, college, or graduate school. It?isn’t?until you have hindsight that you?realize?that. Graduation day is a day that not only celebrates your accomplishments but the efforts of the people and the community that got you to that?“stage.”?FourBlock again helped me bring that into focus. You?can’t?accomplish these feats alone. You need people to get you here. The grandparent?who’s?going to watch your son when?you’re?doing late-night research in the library. The neighbor who grabs your books from your front door while?you're?in class and before the rain storm rolls in. The store clerk who gave you a recommendation that saved you $5 and made it possible for you to buy dinner that night. The therapist?and/or?church group who listened to your vent session about all the crazy things that are happening in your life and gave you the support you needed that night. That coworker who signed up for the meal train your friends put together after you?got out of?the hospital. That?coworker who brought you the best-baked ziti you ever had. You still tell your friends about that baked ziti. The list goes on and on.?In the end, this day is for them just as much as it is for you.?Don’t?forget that.?

Time flies?and?you barely have enough of it or the?bandwidth?to process all that is happening, let alone that happened. For all the graduates today. I hope you get to walk the stage, I?know how it feels to miss that opportunity. But if you?don’t,?don’t?let?bring?you down. Look to those who got you to this moment. They see the gold in you, the promise in you, the possibilities, and everything that makes?you,?you. For those who walk to the stage in this season of life, stop and reflect on what you did and what they did. We are all in this together, thick or thin. You are never alone.?

Today and in the coming days, reach out to those who supported you, lifted you, and pushed you forward. Thank them and let them have a chance to express their thoughts and feelings on this journey you just completed. Those words will carry on with you longer than?the memory of?you waving to the audience and stepping off the?“stage.”?You’ve?reached the?destination,?now reflect on that journey. What?you learned.?What you sacrificed. What you gained. What you can do next.?My final thought is this. You can never?truly?tell those who supported?thank?you enough, trust?me?I've?tried. But you can honor them by paying it forward. Now?go, grow, and bring the next generation along with you. You got this!