Stories Of Honor Introduction

September 19, 2023

Stories Of Honor Introduction

Welcome to 'Stories of Honor', a collection of stories that seeks to explore the depths of human experience through the lives of those who have served our country in the US military, our communities as first responders, or abroad in federal agencies. We’re dedicated to sharing their challenges. We'll be delving into the trials and triumphs of these men and women, who have devoted their lives to serving and protecting our country and communities.


Through the personal accounts of their experiences, we aim to unveil the humanity behind the uniform and to showcase the sacrifices and challenges they have faced. We will be exploring the mental and physical fortitude required to perform their duties, and how they have overcome adversity, and achieved their goals. We will also be highlighting the personal impact of their actions, the way it has changed them, what they have learned and what they are proud of. In this blog, we will be recognizing the true heroes among us, those who have put their lives on the line for the safety and well-being of others. They are the human embodiment of courage, sacrifice and dedication.


We will be showing the reality of the human experience of these individuals, and the emotional depth that goes into their service, the ones who stand ready to risk their lives for the safety and well-being of others. This is a call to action, it is an invitation to look at the best of humanity, and to strive to be better ourselves, in the pursuit of our own collective destiny.


We will be using personal anecdotes, quotes, and multimedia to give you a sense of the individuals' personalities and experiences, and help you connect with their stories. You will see their struggles and triumphs, their sacrifices and their dedication, and gain an understanding of the emotions and experiences that have shaped them.


We invite you to join us on this journey of honoring and celebrating the stories of these heroes, who have sacrificed so much for our safety and well-being. This blog is a platform for them to share their stories, and for the public to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences and sacrifices. Thank you for visiting.


Also in Ascend Together Initiative

Stories of Honor:  David Reid
Stories of Honor: David Reid

September 19, 2023

Respect Camp: Lauren
Respect Camp: Lauren

September 07, 2023

Interestingly, instead of this experience completely isolating me and causing me to distrust everyone, it’s incentivized me to be more open and more vulnerable to other people. It’s in trying to avoid pain – in constantly trying to please others, or protect yourself – that pain will find and break us apart.  I choose to open myself to the judgment of others because their reactions will tell me if there is a place in my life for them or not.
Respect Camp: Savannah Strickland
Respect Camp: Savannah Strickland

July 18, 2023

The greatest obstacle that I’ve overcome was my fear of doing physically demanding tasks that I typically wouldn’t do as a woman. Like traveling to new places in the wilderness, going on backcountry hunts with my husband, camping for days on end, and packing out what seemed like the heaviest pack of my life on my own back. Just going through what I did in the hospital pushed me mentally. Every step that I took on those mountains pushed me with that same mindset, I never want to go back to where I was. I trained for several months, increasing my strength and endurance. I feel like everyone at least once should experience the true beauty of what hunting really is. It’s not just going and killing an animal, it’s the hard work and effort that you put into it. It’s memories with your friends or family rucking it when you’re completely exhausted. It’s those mornings and evenings with the most beautiful views that you don’t get to see on a daily basis in complete solitude. It’s even better packing out an animal that you harvested that you trained so hard for.