My Journey to Discover America
I listened to the Army General as he spoke about everything that was right in America while I looked past him at the 43 fallen warriors on the memorial wall behind him. It was a surreal moment, one filled with contradictions. It was also stop #27 after 6,400 miles on what was day 17 of a 22-day cross-country mission called Task Force Tribute.
7,054-Mile Task Force Tribute
Task Force Tribute was conceived as a journey across the country, honoring all those we lost during the Global War on Terrorism. The 7,054-mile trip covering one mile for each service member lost since 9/11, followed event stops at community centers, memorials, cemeteries, military bases, and fairgrounds, launching from the steps of the Michigan State Capitol with an opening address by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. We engaged with community leaders, veterans, active-duty military, and citizens to listen and learn about their experiences serving our country and supporting its defenders.
We also engaged in deep discussions about how to best honor and remember those who fell while in service to our country. For some, it was in the preservation of a photo or letter; for others, it was visiting a cemetery. For all it was in the sharing of a story, a moment preserved in a memory, of a time when their loved one was still amongst us. It was these moments of learning and discovery that we felt we were accomplishing our mission of paying tribute to those who gave their all.
Lessons Learned
This long road less traveled has been difficult. The miles and frenetic pace have tired us physically. Still, the weight of our conversations with our veterans and family members have been far heavier. And despite the meaningful lessons on service and sacrifice, the hardest-hitting discovery was how so many felt no one understands. No one cares. Thus, the burden of loss is compounded by suffering the hurt alone.
Yet despite the often-serious conversations, one theme was consistent throughout – that these people love their country. The veterans are proud of facing down adversity in the name of our freedoms. The Gold Star families, those who lost someone while in military, take pride in their country. And they are proud to share the stories of service and sacrifice that can be an example for the rest of us.
When we started Task Force Tribute with the roar of a 21-cannon salute, I thought our mission was solely about honoring and remembering those that we have lost.
Listen, Lend a Hand, Try to Understand
And while I think that remains firmly true, I have also been reminded how great this country is. Great because of its people and the many volunteers who come together every day to support their communities. Great because today there are still people willing to help strangers who may need a hand, or a cup of coffee, or someone just to listen to their stories and understand.
As we completed our journey on September 11th in DC—not far from the Pentagon where 21 years ago terrorism struck the very heart of our country—I was reminded of how that one day and one horrible act brought our country together. Patriotism and love of country was prevalent – we all “stood at the wall” to defend our freedoms. After this journey my hope is that we all find it in ourselves to come together on our own without requiring something so tragic to bring us back together again. We owe it to our children, our grandchildren, and to future generations.
For our military and veterans who have defended our country, we can all do more than say “thank you for your service,” we can lend an ear, give a hand up or just seek to understand.
