My Nonprofit Reviews

This is a story I’ve never told — one of those difficult moments that shaped my life.

At the time, I was Aide de Camp to the Commander of NATO. We were on a routine visit to DC for meetings in the Pentagon and on the Hill.

We were scheduled to visit Marines at Walter Reed that Saturday, but General Jones got called away and couldn’t go. Instead of canceling, I called our contact and asked if I could visit the Marines on my own.

I met with several injured Marines. Some of their injuries were severe, some of them were undergoing multiple surgeries, some were missing limbs and some had severe burns. I didn’t say much. I just listened.

The truth is I didn’t know what to say so I asked questions instead. I asked them where they grew up and about their families. I asked them about their service in the Marine Corps, and I asked them how they got injured.

They, like so many Marines and service members, were some of the bravest people I have ever met. They didn’t want my sympathy or pity. They were just happy I came to see them and grateful that I talked to them as fellow Marines.

I listened and left with a better understanding and empathy, as well as a renewed commitment to make a difference for Veterans and their families one day.
On the way out of the hospital I stopped in the bathroom to cry. It happened again in the taxi, and I sobbed in the hotel that night, too, wishing I could do more for the Marines I met that day.

Fast forward a decade and a half later to last year when I met the founder of Oscar Mike Noah Currier for the first time. I got to know him in conversations where I just listened, too. And over the past few months, I have spent hundreds more hours with Noah, his team, and the #Veterans who Oscar Mike serves.

My perspective has changed because of Noah and the other OM Veterans I have met (and listened to) along the way.

To put it simply: Noah Currier is going to change the world with Oscar Mike, and I’m going to help him because I believe in his mission…. and I believe in him.