During Ranger School, a young Lieutenant who aspired to be a Green Beret asked Quint how someone short in stature like himself made it through SF Continue Reading
death
The Real Fear: Not Death, But Demise
Amidst the visceral realities of combat and the quieter, yet no less profound, struggles of daily existence, death lurks as a looming specter for Continue Reading
The Day Death Lost Its Grip
About a year into the pandemic, my morning was interrupted by a tragedy in my neighborhood. My elderly neighbor was pacing on my porch, debating Continue Reading
A Story Told in Pictures: Afghanistan’s Mark on Me
In Afghanistan I transformed from a naive young kid into a more mature person, indeed I did. In Afghanistan, I learned that life is not only short Continue Reading
Standing in the All Too Familiar
There I stood, yet again, in an all too familiar place. I stood in the haunting echoes of Taps. I watched the flawless motions of the Continue Reading
One Year
Author's note: This reflection was written at the one-year mark of our Son’s death. It seems impossible that it has now been two years, but the Continue Reading
When Grief Knocks and God Answers
So exhausted, so brokenRivers of tearsToo much loss for me to bearGriefYou may not camp here, but you must visit, reason, and decide how and why you Continue Reading
Real Talk: The Silent War Our Veterans Are Losing
Editor’s Note: The following essay is adapted from remarks shared by Marcia Burroughs at a VALOR Clinic rally in Pennsylvania. After losing her son to Continue Reading
Each Year It Matters
Each year it matters - it feels important to recognize and connect with our history and our grief on the anniversary days. I have no wish to wallow Continue Reading
A Climb of Remembrance   Â
We lean into our trekking poles with pounding hearts and labored breaths, slowly grinding our way up the 30-degree unimproved mountain trail that will Continue Reading
MAYDAY
It’s the ninth again. The months pass quickly—if you're counting, and for some reason, I am. It's been 33 months since the passing of our son, Quint. Continue Reading
What You Leave Behind
By Special Guest: Jamie Tafoya My son Jonah was six years old when his dad died by suicide. At first, all he understood was that he would never see Continue Reading