Horse Shit, Nose Tips and Best Friends by Mark McHale So what in the world could horse shit, nose tips and bestfriends have in common? Read on, I’ll tell you… No shit, there I was, in the airport before returning home from an exposition in San Diego hosted by the 800 pound gorilla in the tactical military market, enjoying the view of all the beautiful Cali girls when I … [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...]
A WW2 Hero’s Trumpet Carried onto Omaha Beach in 1944 Returns to Normandy to Play Taps on the 75th D-Day Anniversary
Special Guest Author: Kenny Bierschenk On May 4, 2019, I “met” the horn I'll play in Normandy at the American Cemetery on June on June 6th for the D-Day 75th anniversary, and again at Omaha Beach on June 7th, with the 300-member Longhorn Alumni Band from the University of Texas (UT). This instrument was carried onto Omaha Beach by its owner, Richard Wank, the only … [Read more...]
An Afghan-Muslim Woman Who Touched a Gold Star Mom’s Soul
An ethnic grocery store in Denver, CO with its name printed over its façade in three different languages compels me to stop and shop each time I drive to or through the Mile High City. I have no clue what half the vegetables or fruits are, or how they’re cooked or eaten. I wonder how the unknown-to-me spices and sauces taste. I can’t read any of the names or descriptions on the … [Read more...]
Veterans and civilian to ruck 2,600 miles for other vets
It's a staggering statistic: more Veterans are dying from suicide than active duty on the battlefield. That tragic fact is tearing apart families every single day across our nation. Transition from a war zone to a safe zone is extremely difficult and often lonely. At Havok, we do our best in highlighting the real and raw reality of transitioning out of the military, to not only … [Read more...]
Valentine’s Day Exclusive: Trust Life a Little Bit
By: Julie Huynh If there is such thing as a love lottery, then I’ll tell you, I won it. You might be surprised to hear me say this, seeing as how my last relationship topped the charts for ‘Most Tragic Endings of 2013.’ But, while grieving the sudden loss of my late fiancé, SFC Liam Jules Nevins, who was killed in a cowardly green-on-blue attack in Gardez, Afghanistan on … [Read more...]
The Havok Journal Interviews The Red Eye Bakery
Here at The Havok Journal, we are big fans of small businesses—especially if those businesses are Veteran owned or Veteran supporters. We are always excited when we hear about our brothers and sisters leaving the military and going on to become leaders in the business world. We also greatly appreciate companies that reach out to the veteran community to provide … [Read more...]
A Soldier to Santiago: An Interview with Brad Genereux
How do you spit polish hell and find peace after witnessing the darkness and depravity of humanity? In his new memoir, Senior Chief Petty Officer Builder Bradley D. Genereux, United States Navy (retired) reflects on the inferno of the war in Afghanistan and the healing purgatory of Camino de Santiago. What is the book A Soldier to Santiago: Finding Peace on The Warrior Path … [Read more...]
Redemption: 14 years and 1 Suicide Attempt Later
From within a luxury seaside villa I swallowed them all. I hit send on my phone and I closed my eyes. After that amount of VA candy, it’s a miracle I am still alive. I often ponder what made me wake up and decide it was all over. Had I decided later in the day, after a few drinks, like most days, I would be dead right now. Alcohol significantly increases the toxicity levels of … [Read more...]
Two Rangers. One Van. Ten Thousand Miles.
This article was first published in The Havok Journal on 10FEB15 under the title, "Travel Tuesday: "What You Will." _____ This is the preface to an ongoing journey — one of self discovery and exploration. With a couple of cameras and a 2000 Dodge van, two former Army Rangers will document the separation from material comfort to pursue an unparalleled human experience. Two … [Read more...]
