The Havok Journal

The Voice of the Veteran Community

Sean Parnell

What is the Real Problem with Gun Violence in America?

What is the Real Problem with Gun Violence in America? by Paul J. O'leary It is sad, tragic, and all too familiar now. It has become akin to a political battle drill:  a sociopathic individual armed with a gun enters a public place where people should be able to go and spend quality time and begins shooting, leaving a body count and a nation mourning yet another … [Read more...]

Craig “Sawman” Sawyer: A Navy SEAL Looks Back

Craig "Sawman" Sawyer: A Navy SEAL Looks Back by Craig Sawyer As I grow older, my outlook is changing. I’m realizing that showing love and appreciation for the people I care about most is more important than momentarily looking “cool” to a few acquaintances. I’m learning to express more gratitude and genuine appreciation to those who have gone out of their way to look … [Read more...]

Girls & Beer: A North Korean Army Lieutenant And An American Iraq War Veteran

Girls & Beer: A North Korean Army Lieutenant And An American Iraq War Veteran by Rusty Shaw Our trip to North Korea lasted for five days. Until the day before our flight out, my dad had no idea we were even going. Up to this point, life was an interesting trip: college, Iraq deployment with the army, studying and living in China, and now finishing my MBA in South Korea. … [Read more...]

Killjoys and Blessings Only Make Me Stronger

As a free-spirited, artsy-fartsy civilian who has no clue how to salute, I’m not always in tune with or understand the military culture or protocol. When I moved to Colorado Springs in 1990, I thought ‘1530’ on a party invitation referred to an apartment number. The first time I attended a promotion ceremony at Space Command on Fort Carson, I didn’t understand what propelled … [Read more...]

Remembering Our Fallen

I remember them, all of them. Every day. I don’t live for them, I could never do this justice. I cannot hold myself to any expectation worthy of their sacrifice because I could never earn what they willingly gave. Nobody can. Nobody ever could. We cannot live for them. But we can live. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” … [Read more...]

Love and Loss: Dreading Memorial Day

  My son's body came home on Memorial Day in 2007, I hate Memorial Day, and I have to admit, it drives me nuts when people see it as the start of summer instead of what it is: a day to honor our fallen. My husband and I go to the local military cemetery and an honoring for all, then I go home and cry.” — Candie Glisson, Gold Star Mother of Sgt. Jason Schumann, KIA, May … [Read more...]

The Sun Also Rises: To Prevent Veteran Suicide, Always Move With A Purpose

  “Move with a purpose, you!!” If you’re a veteran you’ve probably heard that phrase (or other more profane variations of it) far too many times to count. In the military we were expected to be constantly engaged in some sort of productive venture, and if we literally had nothing to do, we were expected to act like we did. The truth of the matter is that at the time we … [Read more...]

One Veteran To Another: Goodbye to You

I have to tell you it is getting hard to be your friend. Every time I turn around you are killing yourselves. I have reached out to you with both hands when I had nothing to hold myself up just to hold you for one more day and you won’t take my hand. I don’t know what more I can do or how much more I can give. Do you realize how hard it is to keep surviving everything life … [Read more...]

A Few Reminders For Firearms Owners

You are responsible for every round you send downrange.  Don’t own firearms unless you’re mentally prepared to use them. Don’t fire your weapon unless you’re protecting your life or the lives of others. No matter how the shoot goes down, you’ll have to answer for it. The police officers in Tulsa, Oklahoma know this all to well right now. (The lesson from Tulsa: Keep your finger … [Read more...]