🌸 The Flower and Flame of Memorial Day
Honoring sacrifice with service, one wilting flower, one spreading flame at a time.
Topic
service
A collection of 8 issues
🔋 Memorials & Purpose
I am here because others are not. I must move forward because others cannot.
This swirled through my mind during the minute of silence on Memorial Day, while I listened to the wind whipping through the flags around me.
This reality gives me purpose. It gives me strength. It gives
☄️ A Man Who is Freezing
How do you get anything done when nerves are frayed, emotions are high, and information flys about in all directions?
In my life, I've found consistently that the thing that grounds me is thinking of others. Service.
When it comes to helping others, we talk frequently of empathy.
☄️ Unto the Senseless Breach
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
King Henry V unleashes these words from a commanding position above battle-worn troops, clad in a mix of modified urban camouflage. Rolling fog creates palpable unease and tension.
The King offers up the alternative:
Or close the wall up with our
For Country and Guac
Last week, three things happened:
First, I got to lead a seminar on the Declaration of Independence and Tocqueville's Equality of Conditions argument with a stellar group of enlisted veterans. Second, we witnessed quite a presidential debate. And third, I bought a bag of avocados.
As the avocados
Serve
When I was seventeen, I raised my right and took an oath:
I, Ryan Andrew Pavel, do solemnly swear that I will uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, and that
If My Kids Ask About Joining the Military
It’s the day after July 4th (aka July 5th). Amidst yesterday’s fireworks and cookout, I found myself pondering: how would I feel if my kids consider joining the military?
I have a few days off work, allowing me precious time with family and a chance to do things
Saying Yes
The other day, I walked past Revival Food Hall in Chicago. I stopped in to snap this picture and take a few minutes to reflect on the significance of this spot.
Nearly five years ago, this is where I said "yes" to Warrior-Scholar Project co-founder Jesse Reising about