If you ever really wanted to meet a tough guy — not someone who simply talks loud — then do yourself a favor and seek out a Navy SEAL.
These guys are the most respected and feared special forces in the world. They still operate in near-total secrecy from the public.
I was at a relatively long four-day news media conference in San Diego, mostly filling my head with stuff that will help us thrive in the emerging mobile media market.
One day — after moving from one conference room to another — the American Society of News Editors held a session on the USS Midway.
The aircraft carrier was commissioned after World War II and was active during the Vietnam War.
It now sits in the water off San Diego as a museum ship.
It was a nice break, but — truth is — it was no break at all. It was simply another session. Or so I thought.
As I positioned myself in the second row before one of our speakers came to the podium, I glanced into the first row and, frankly, didn’t see anything of special note.
How very wrong I was.
As a few introductions began, a young gentleman with a fine blue suit and tie, a welcoming smile and polished shoes took the stage.
It was Eric Greitens.
Greitens speaks about his book on NBC.
Greitens had attended Duke University as an A.B. Duke scholar and also attended Oxford University on a Rhodes scholarship.
He had done humanitarian work in places such as Rwanda, Albania, Croatia and Cambodia.
Then in 2001 he joined the Navy SEALs. He was deployed four times during the global war on terror and has received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.
Now, he has written a book: “The Heart and the Fist.”
The title of this book really captures the point. But let me quote a line in the book to better explain:
“I’ve learned that courage and compassion are two sides of the same coin, and that every warrior, every humanitarian, every citizen is built to live with both.
“In fact, to win a war, to create peace, to save a life, or just to live a good life requires of us — of every one of us — that we be both good and strong.”
He came to the USS Midway — not to promote his book — but rather to tell the editors who gathered there from around the country that returning servicemen and women, especially those who have been injured, need our help.
Greitens now is the chief executive officer (he volunteers as this) of The Mission Continues. It’s a nonprofit organization that empowers wounded and disabled veterans to begin new lives, not as charity cases but as citizen-leaders when they return home.
Greitens made the case that things are much different today for returning soldiers than when men and women returned from the Vietnam War.
Back then, there were few “welcome homes.” Back then, the soldiers were often despised.
Not true today. Soldiers are welcomed home, and the country is grateful for the service they have given.
Still, Greitens said, too many Americans are not helping enough to reintegrate soldiers into contributing to our communities. In other words, returning soldiers aren’t looking for charity or a handout. They are looking to help communities, to serve communities in a productive way.
And he urged editors to tell this story. So I’m happy to do so.
Plus, who wants to argue with a SEAL, right?
Lou Brancaccio is The Columbian’s editor. Reach him at 360-735-4505 or lou.brancaccio@columbian.com.
