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 One word that I love to use is Hubris, the Greek term for excessive pride that tends to lead to poor judgment. I have a process that I like to do and I try to apply this term to most of what I do to make sure that I am not an example of it. Now, for the most part I am successful however like everyone else I am human and step on my crank.
Several months ago Jeff and I attended an interesting meeting and found ourselves needing to let it settle before we went to our respective homes so we stopped by a local watering hole. This Texas establishment had the demographic to support the decor and we stood out like flowers on cacti. As we sat and patiently waited for service a petite young thing walked up with confidence however shadowed by frustration. She asked us for our orders while demonstrating a superb level of situational awareness then randomly commented on my Soldiers Angels lapel pin that I wear on my sport coat. Her comment was simple, "nice pin I like the group", intrigue and sharp witted I replied with , "really, are you familiar with the group?" almost as fast she came back with "Yup, Soldiers Angels". Jeff chimed in with the with "how do you know about Soldiers Angels?" and what came out of her mouth stunned us both. She confidently and proudly stated that she was a Marine. In our defense, this is a very attractive girl working in a bar no where near anything military so not to discount her we just were not expecting it. Jeff followed her statement with a "Oh you must have got a package from Soldiers Angels when you were deployed." Her posture changed slightly and she uttered the words "No, it was at my Brothers Funeral, He was also a Marine and was Killed in Action." Then turned and walked away. Jeff and I just looked at each other, as we knew that we had just met a special person but one that knew something that neither I nor him know. I have a decent military experience behind me and Jeff is familiar in the ways of support so typically between us we can draw similarities and understandings but here we were both in uncharted territory. I have lost Soldiers and lately it seems that as with more return trips over there my friend pool seems to be decreasing however I have not lost my brother or Father or a Child to War. I have the honor of meeting with many Gold Star families in my travels and there is always this big elephant in the room but I do my best to circumnavigate it and honor each one as I can. When the young lady returned, I properly introduced Jeff and I, she returned the courtesy and we then knew Brianna. As the night progressed we spoke for a few more brief moments where we learned she had gotten out of the Marine Corps and was working. I went into NCO mode and asked about school, future plans and goals and she explained that she's trying to go to school but with her costs and having to help out at home and being a single mother it is tough. Immediately the wheels started to turn, I was thinking of all the different resources that she might be eligible for and how we can get her going. She served our country, her Family paid the ultimate sacrifice, with that kind of service behind her, Beverage service was just not good enough she deserves better. We gave her our cards and made her promise to be in touch. It's not easy to keep up on correspondence for me and that's with people I really try to. So I was not sure if we would hear from her or not or if we were just those guys from the Bar that night. Well, I'm writing about it so you have probably figured out that we got in contact with each other. Briana wrote me and informed me that she had not forgotten about school and now she was back in school and doing well. It was a challenge with everything but she was doing it and I am 100% positive that her Marine mentality is the driving force and provides the discipline to achieve. Soldiers Angels awarded Briana with a small scholarship to help relieve the daily pressures. We were so excited that we couldn't wait to set up the meeting to get it to her, and soon it was to happen. Jeff and I selected a great Austin location and we were on the road to be part of something special to someone that impressed and humbled us both. We get to the location and meet part of her Family, present was the cutest 4 year old boy and her Father. We exchanged pleasantries and enjoyed lunch but found ourselves dancing around that elephant again. Her Father was an impressive man that was strong and firm and attentive to his Grandson. It was not hard to see how deeply affected this family was but it was also impressive to see how they were moving forward. I usually make sure I am prepared before meetings, function etc but this time my excitement and HUBRIS took over. I thought I was good to go and just jumped in and didn't give this meeting the respect it deserved and it didn't take but a few seconds with this amazing Family unit to realize that I owed them better. Lance Corporal Nicholas Perez has been honored with an Elementary School named in his honor but 5 miles where he grew up, with no children in the school that Family spends countless hours making sure its a wonderful place and campus. While we were dining in Austin Briana's Mother was at their son's school volunteering her time. Some Families come apart under stress and others weaken and become selfish then there are those that move forward and Honor. So, Humbled again by the great Honor of being in the presence of those who understand loss and sacrifice I learned yet another lesson in Hubris.
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