A Memorial Day “Murph”

While doing research on US Navy SEAL Lt. Michael “Murph” Murphy for a Facebook post I wrote on the anniversary of his birthday, I learned about the “Murph,” a high intensity workout developed by the late Medal of Honor recipient. Every Memorial Day, thousands of CrossFit fans and military personnel participate in the “Murph Challenge,”…

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Listening to Our Better Angels

Civilians evacuating at Hungnam

“I have always thought of Christmas as a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time.” – Fred, the nephew of Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol With the holiday season once again upon us, Americans from all walks of life – and every race, creed, and religion – become observers, and in many cases, active…

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A Shining Example to the World

Veterans Day Parade 2016 (PC: Spencer Platt Getty Images)

WW2 Army Air Corps veteran Jimmy Stewart WWII Veteran Richard Overton, US Army, who died at the age of 112 (PC: AP) Col. Ruby Bradley, US Army Nurse Corps (PC: findagrave) Marine veteran Jin Park, Iraq (PC: Jin Park) Korean War veteran and MOH recipient PFC Gene Obregon, USMC (PC: US Marine Corps) Veterans Day,…

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So Much Life Ahead of Him

Light Armored Vehicle in the California desert

As we salute our brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces this weekend, we’re reminded that over 2 million current service members are stationed at military bases throughout the US and more than 160 countries on all seven continents. And they have one of the toughest jobs around. They endure long hours,…

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A “Timeless” Tribute to the Korean War

In one of the most unlikely events of holiday primetime television, the writers of “Timeless,” a science fiction drama series with a following of millions, showcased the Korean War’s Hungnam Evacuation.  The show’s final episode, which aired on December 20 and highlighted the little-known military and humanitarian operation, became the talk of the town on…

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A Lifetime of Waiting

You Are Not Forgotten Their stories are heartbreaking. For decades, thousands of families – over 7,700 – have wondered when and if their son, husband, brother, or uncle will return from the Korean War. They’ve spent a lifetime waiting for a letter, a phone call, or a visit from a government official. But there’s been…

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We Will Always Remember You

Saluting Fallen ROK Heroes at ROK Marine HQ

How many times have you heard it? Someone receives a gift, compliment, or helping hand and simply says, ”Appreciate it!” The other person replies, “No problem.” They move on. Call me antiquated, even a “dinosaur” if you like, but I prefer the old-fashioned, “Thank you!” followed by a modest, “You’re welcome!” Why not? It’s polite…

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Great Sacrifice Can Produce Great Results

US Marine Corps Cemetery, Hamhung, North Korea 1950

This weekend as Americans enjoy cookouts, beach reading, shopping sprees, blockbuster movie openings, and good times with family and friends, many of us will also take time to remember America’s military men and women who died in defense of our freedom. It is, after all, Memorial Day Weekend. But there’s another group of Americans, far from home…

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Is The Korean War Finally Ending?

For those who served on the Korean peninsula from 1950-1953 and survived, men now in their eighties and nineties, the fighting ended when they came home. For those who died in the streets, fields, landing zones, and mountains of Korea, the fighting ended when their young lives were snuffed out by a North Korean or Chinese…

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