December is upon us once again. We start off remembering Pearl Harbor Day. December 7th, the Day that will live in infamy and transition to Christmas to end the month with a big family day that usually means that most of us mortgage the year trying to keep up with the Jones’ and give our kids more than we should.
Things are nice, but they soon break or are stuffed in a drawer because we lose interest in them when the next “big thing” hits the market. The one thing that I have learned as I grow older is that things come and go, but memories are forever.
Many of you have served in some type of combat and probably have some memories that you would rather forget. Try as you may, it is difficult to purge those memories that haunt you and as long as you chose to recycle those memories, they will haunt you for the rest of your life. Here is an idea. During this Christmas season that truly represents the birth of our Savior, try paying it forward. Help someone in need and perhaps make a difference for that person. On the battlefield, we live by the premise that we leave no one behind, yet there are veterans out there in almost every community that are struggling because they feel left behind by a society that doesn’t understand what we have been through. We have gotten to a point where people will say “Thank you for your service” out of habit when they see a hat, but they don’t really understand what that means. They can’t because they have never been there, but you have!
This year, help a brother or sister in need and you might just make their day and give them a memory that is fresh and perhaps will replace the nightmare of their daily existence. Who knows, you may even save a life by befriending someone who is close to giving up.
There are people out there that during this family time don’t have a family close by. They are lonely, frustrated and perhaps even depressed. Look out for them as they may even be someone you served with. Give a person you don’t know the most precious gift that you have, your time and attention!
If you have any ideas or suggestions, either contact headquarters or contact me at chairman@ncoausa.org and I can assure you that your leadership will take note.
Strength in Unity & Leadership By Example,
MCPO (SCW) Terry M. Haines
Chairman, International Board of Directors