Month of the Military Child- White House / Team RWB

This weekend, I was extremely proud to be here at the The White House on behalf of Team Red, White & Blue to honor #militarychildren with a Workout of the Day (#WOD ), on the #SouthLawn .

As many know, I’ve been a part of Team Red, White & Blue since its brave inception from Mike Erwin in 2010 when he called a few of his trusted friends and colleagues (plus me through perhaps an accidental dial :-)) to start one of the prevailing Military and Veteran Supporting Non-Profits of the #Post911 era, and now in the #postpandemic era. A strong institution, not built in brick and mortar, or a narrow cause, but an audacious one- to improve the health and wellness community for #Veterans then, now, and an in enduring fasion.

#TeamRWB believes that #ServiceMembers and #Veterans are some of our nation’s most resilient citizens, and it also know that their #children are too, which is it was proud to host today's workout. No longer an ideal, concept, or #startup , Team RWB is a mature organization that has not only etched itself in the frame work of Veteran health promotion, and seeking behavior, but has also seen some of its military children move into #leadership roles in, and out of the organization, and #civic and #military service of their own- great marker of success as it forges some of the nation's greatest leaders. Two of its fellow founding and early stage leaders who were in attendance today with their military children- Mark Erwin and Samuel Linn .

For me personally, my journey with having “military children” did not come until I had a defining transformation of my relationship with the military when I was wounded in combat halfway through what I had committed to as my first enlistment in service (since I take my life in 10 year tranches, before I ever consider a shift). After being wounded, when I slowed down enough to ask my then fiancé, now wife of 15 years for her hand in marriage, we began our family. While many military children stand resilient through parents on deployment, away from home in austere working conditions – mine had a slightly different experience and remained resilient through my time away from home in the hospital for surgeries, at rehab, and what I used for my emotional healing– exercise, and a connection to the Veteran and Military non-profit community.?

So where my wife may think– “our kids aren’t really military kids” though we had 2 during my last few years of Active and Reserve Duty status, I beg to differ – something I don't take doing lightly with my partner in a public forum as it is more dangerous than combat!

The mission of the United States Department of Defense is using our forces to deter #war – and for those of you that deployed, you know there is no stronger deterrent for war, than first deploying leaving children stateside knowing how many crucial moments you’ll miss, and second seeing children navigating war torn countries as it is normal. That’s in large part why I wanted to raise a family in luxuries we are afforded here in the US because of our military. And for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs , it's to care for those who have borne the battle when those wars cannot be deterred. Military children, mine included, don’t just “cope” through the deployments, therapies and rehab of their Service Member or Veteran loved ones– they motivate us to get home– figuratively, and literally; emotionally and physically. They are often at the front lines, caring for those who have #bornethebattle . They motivate us to be our best selves. And they motivate us to stay of sound mental and physical shape- so that we can keep up with them as they grow!

I could not be more proud of hearing one of my military children, share about her relationship with her chosen #family in the military and given family after introduced by the #FLOTUS and introducing #SecretaryMcDonough . Thank you to the #FirstLady and her team inclusive of Elizabeth Jamison , and so many more who championed such a great event, and continue their gargantuan advocacy efforts day in day out. #howdoyouserve #manywaystoserve

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