VAUSA®’s Post

ENSURING THE LEGACY OF THOSE WHO GAVE ALL As Memorial Day approaches, I find myself in a familiar routine: checking on the areas that hold so many memories, both bitter and sweet. Memorial Day is a time for reflection and remembrance, It’s also a time to help those still affected by the wars, to rebuild lives, and to make sure sacrifices were not in vain. My experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan are etched into my mind, from walking through Baghdad, a city that dates back to 762 AD to standing before Alexander's Castle, a relic from over 2000 years ago. Our mission was clear, but the region's history made things complicated. Reflecting on my time there, I often wonder: What is the true cost of war? How do we help those who were affected by the war? Questions not easily answered. The constant danger, losing friends, and the moral challenges of war leave deep scars. These experiences force you to grow up quickly, facing life’s fragility and harsh realities. Philosophically, my journey has taken me from feeling that life is meaningless (nihilism) to searching for personal meaning (existentialism). Seeing the chaos and destruction of war can make life feel pointless. The loss of life and the struggle for peace can make one question everything. In the years after my service, I traveled a lot, looking for something to fill the void left by war. This emptiness is common among veterans, a sense of something missing that civilian life can't fill. For me, the answer was in storytelling. By traveling and immersing myself in different cultures, I wanted to understand people better and to find stories that needed to be told. This journey helped me connect with people from all walks of life, gaining insights that enriched my perspective and gave me a new sense of purpose. I dedicated myself to telling stories, to highlight the struggles and successes of human kind. My experiences as a young Army Ranger have given me a unique perspective, one that I hope can help others understand and appreciate the complexities of human existence. Even if it means helping in the smallest ways, whether by sharing stories, supporting veterans, or advocating for those still affected by the conflicts, every effort counts. It’s about making a difference, no matter how small, and ensuring that the legacy of those who gave all is honored and remembered. #MemorialDay #Veterans #RLTW #NativeAmerican #MentalHealth #VeteranSupport #Philosophy

Here are 8 new things to try this year. 1. Cook more - Pick one night a week to cook your favorite dish. 2. Learn a new skill - Download babble and try a new language or look up some courses on LinkedIn Learning. 3. Saying No - No is a complete sentence, and you don't owe an explanation to anyone. 4. Be kind to yourself - Look at yourself in the mirror at least once a day and compliment yourself. 5. Asking for help - Don't let your pride keep you from reaching out when you need to. Being able to help the people you care about is one of life's greatest blessings. 6. Stop comparing yourself to others - You don't know what someone had to go through to get where they are today. Focus on your own journey. 7. Be conscious of others' feelings - Remember your words have power, so use them wisely and with kindness. 8. Be more mindful of the environment - Start recycling or create a compost pile in your backyard. #amberwalshrealtor #lowcountry #lowcountryliving #summerville #charleston #charlestonrealestate #buyersagent #sellersagent #homesweethome #forsale #military #realestateagent #property #newhome #dreamhome #lovewhatyoudo #realtorlife #luxuryrealestate #southcarolina #househunting #realty #homesforsale #lovewhereyoulive #military #realestateagent #property #newhome #dreamhome #lovewhatyoudo #realtorlife #luxuryrealestate #southcarolina #charleston #househunting #realty #homesforsale #lovewhereyoulive

👉OOPS… This is a picture of a Spitfire, having crashed shortly after take off in Aug 1943 during the battle for North Africa and The Mediterranean. It was flown by Pilot Officer House serving at the time with 80 Squadron of The Royal Air Force. On the back of the picture he wrote ‘all my own work’; a light hearted note given the carriage of his errors🥰✈️🤣 Humility is an admirable quality as is accountability; seemingly in short supply today. Today I guess we’d call it ‘stepping up’, or perhaps ‘showing up’, by way of ownership. It’s an honest trait, openly accepting that we should have done better. Or in House’s case, ‘all my own work’; unconditional ownership following the crash of his Spitfire. In 1945, House went on to fly the Typhoon in the fight to liberate Europe, crash landing RB396 having been hit by intense flak whilst flying at low level during a mission behind enemy lines. This is the same Typhoon that is to be restored to fly again, the only one in the world, thanks to an amazing team leading the Hawker Typhoon Preservation Group Niall Downey, a commercial pilot, heart surgeon and all-round good soul has written a book called Oops that you may find interesting; why things go wrong! https://lnkd.in/eiGCf5YS If you’re feeling overwhelmed, fearing that you might crash any minute, don’t worry, hold tight, it’ll be alright; reach out to Prof Nigel MacLennan Leadership Coach and Integrity Campaigner who will help you get back to straight and level. I’ve yet to crash a plane…but equally, I’ve not flown a Hurricane, a Spitfire, nor a Hawker Typhoon…yet🙃 #allmyownwork #spitfire #typhoon #hurricane #life #house #numpty #fugitive #lucky #goagain #holdtight #itwillbealright #showingup #gratitude #oops #hearts

Sargassum, or Gulf Weed. 🌿 • This species of seaweed is free floating and so doesn't attach to anything, and so it is free to float about the ocean reproducing vegetatively. All was fine until 2011 when vast blooms of this stuff started happening which then started choking many of the coastlines of the Eastern US and the Caribbean. 😲 • In the past, some rowers have found themselves caught in huge mats of this stuff, completely covering the visible ocean, making progress extremely difficult. 😩 • As Mike explains in this video, they're seeing large trails of this weed at the moment, and perhaps they will encounter one of those huge mats. 😬 • All that said, this is a sure sign that they are getting closer to Antigua...and that's very very exciting! 🤩 • The crew are working with the following charity partners to provide #mentalhealth and #wellbeing support for Submariners and their families: • Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity Help - Jim's Story The Submarine Family • If you can support, please donate today at https://lnkd.in/eutwHFkv  • The team are sponsored by: Jacobs Rolls-Royce NSSLGlobal Resilient Nutrition Babcock International Group Gill Marine Team Forces • We are very proud to be working with our incredible outreach partners to inspire the next generation:  SeaCadets Never Such Innocence Reach the World Sir Thomas Lipton Foundation Association of Wrens & Women of the Royal Naval Services • #HMSOardacious #atlantic2023 #atlanticcampaigns #submariner #worldstoughestrow #oceanrowing #oceanrowers #atlantic #rowing #adventure #mentalhealth #chinafleet

Congratulations on reaching Step 4 of your homeownership journey – house hunting! This phase presents an exciting chance to discover the ideal place to settle down. By planning ahead and thoughtfully evaluating your choices, you can expertly navigate the house hunting process with confidence. As you embark on this exhilarating house hunting adventure, remember to keep an open mind and trust your instincts. Each house you visit will have its unique charm and potential, so take your time exploring and envisioning how each space could become your dream home. Make a list of your must-haves and nice-to-haves to help narrow down your options. Consider factors such as location, size, layout, and amenities to guide your search. Don't forget to also think about your future needs and how the house will accommodate any changes that may come your way. When you find a property that captures your heart, conduct a thorough inspection to ensure it meets your expectations and requirements. Take note of any necessary repairs or renovations and factor them into your decision-making process. Above all, trust in the journey and enjoy the process of discovering the perfect place to call home. Happy house hunting! #Realtor #RealEstateAgent #RealtorLife #Texas #DylanSellHomes #investment #USArmyVeteran #military #veteran #army #navy #airforce #marine #Retirement #RetirementHome #investmentproperty #instagood #instareels #instadaily #instastory #instasale #fyp #Househunting #Homeownership

Are you researching your family's WWI or WWII war dead? There are a few things to consider. Read about this in my article on Veterans, Cemeteries and Memorials. https://lnkd.in/g23UBbyX #cemetery #genealogy #abmc #idpf #nara #militaryhistory #veterancemetery #researchaveteran

The United States Marine Corps Commandant, General Eric Smith, presented a great civilian model for #resilience. Great meeting and perfect timing with #IndependenceDay. What will help America move forward and stay ahead? It’s not a “me” mentality on how much can I make, how much can I sell, how much can I buy. General Smith made this abundantly clear immediately as well as wove it through his presentation and answers to questions. Our nation has acted with collaboration in times of #disaster. Post #Hurricane Katrina, the nation (and world) came to the aid of the City of New Orleans to rebuild and renew. How did that happen? People #respond to what matters to them. Though the greater #community deployed with a nation of #service mentality – it’s not just #ArmedForces or #FirstResponders. While we need those who answer that call on a 24/7/365 basis, we need to have everyone thinking about others every day. It can be small as in a small act of kindness – sharing an explanation to a neighbor child on your expertise, giving your old books for a non-profit sale that supports their mission, dedicating time to feed the hungry at an outreach event. (See the trend: in no way is it all about the Benjamins – aka money for my non-American network.) #ForceDesign has many meanings – words are important. It’s how you integrate with others that makes the whole #stronger. While we each have special talents, another recent LinkedIn post about hope used the phrase “it’s a belief in all of us over none of us.” (Amen, Misaha Suzuki Graham.) Another post discussed overcoming horrible circumstances and coming back together “trying different methods and approaches.” (Inspiration and eloquence while recognizing historical pain, Van Jones.) How do you give strength to what makes America different from all other nations and distinguishes our democracy from other models? Thank you, The Brookings Institution, for another thought-provoking inspiring discussion! Visit here to view the replay: https://lnkd.in/gzk2Df42

I know LinkedIn is very corporate-focused, and a great place to learn and grow as an employee or employer. However, there are huge benefits in both of those areas in volunteering. Yes, I mean volunteering, not 'voluntolding' in the workplace!! I do a few things around the place, but one of the ones that brings me the most joy is my work with the Australian Fromelles Association. It's a role that unites two of my great loves, Australian military history (especially World War 1), and genealogy research. For years we've been gradually chipping away at identifying all of the unknown soldiers found (through the work of a Lambis Englezos, who is a retired teacher!) at Pheasant Wood in France, all killed in the Battle of Fromelles and buried in a mass grave. I spend about ten hours on the project every couple of months, using my expertise in South Australian records to deal with any SA-based angles other researchers have thrown up during the previous few weeks. I trawl BDM records, newspaper records, cemetery records and a few niche local sources to help find living relatives of WW1 soldiers that can then be approached to submit a DNA sample. If they are from SA, I'm the lead researcher and it's on me to find everything we have in SA that might lead to a living descendant. Last year, for the first time, a soldier I provided the primary research for was identified, and now he lies in a named grave rather than one dedicated to 'the unknown soldier'. Through my involvement in my school's France Trip, it's very likely that in years to come I will get to visit Oscar Baumann's named grave and know that was a gift I gave to him and to his family; a way to say 'thank you' for his service and sacrifice. If you don't currently have a genuine volunteer or community service role, I encourage you to take one on. Think about what skills you have and who might be able to make use of those. Dollars in the bank are not the only way to be rewarded. https://lnkd.in/ge_zH46b

Second Fire Project knows the risks campfires bring to society but through good practices and safety, we can prevent wildfires as campers and citizens.

One of the youngest members of Captain Robert F. Scott’s scientific Terra Nova Expedition into Antarctica (1910-1912) was twenty-four-year-old Asbury Cherry-Gerrard. In his memoir, The Worst Journey in the World (1922), he shares the hellacious trials of endurance suffered by expedition members that resulted in the death of five men, including Scott: long days of utter darkness, temperature of -70°F, lack of food, countless hours pulling sleds for miles across lunar landscapes where an ice sheet collapse could send one hurtling deep to a black end, and blizzards with 100-mph winds. Those are only a few of the hardships the crew endured regularly. Asbury speaks at length of frostbite, snow blindness, exhaustion, disorientation in the barren wilderness, clothes freezing solid within fifteen seconds of exiting his sleeping bag, and hunger. Recalling one particularly brutal journey across the ice, Asbury states: I for one had come to that point of suffering at which I did not really care if only I could die without much pain. They talk of the heroism of the dying – they little know – it would be so easy to die, a dose of morphia, a friendly crevasse, and blissful sleep. The trouble is to go on.[1] Our trying life storms can make death appear as the easy way out or the assured means of stopping the pain. Furthermore, the many often-expressed Christian encouragements to someone experiencing such miseries are little more than shallow platitudes, such as these: "You can overcome all things through Christ who strengthens." "God gives grace sufficient to overcome the trial." "The Lord will never leave you nor forsake you." Read on below: https://lnkd.in/gWDNJRE6 #Veterans #SpecialForces #Army #Navy #Airforce #Marines #CoastGuard #FirstResponders #NationalGuard