Introduction to Chad McKeown

Chad McKeown is a father, a brother, and now a widower and an amazing human being. Chad has worked with many different Veteran organizations to help out the Veteran community and continues to be there for people who need help.

Mark K

If you would Chad, tell me a little bit about yourself.

Chad McKeown

OK. I grew up in Goshen, IN lived here my whole life. I joined the military when I was twenty, I went to the Army National Guard. I am currently a truck driver for Lippert components. I have been there 13 years, and I just take care of my family.

Mark K

Were there any other branches you considered before?

Chad M

No, there were none.

Mark K

Do you have a family member or family members that were in the military?

Chad M

So, my oldest brother was in the Air Force. He served. He retired from the Air Force, a full bird Colonel. And then my brother, my other brother. He was in the army as well. He was stationed in Germany.

Mark K

What were some of the motivating factors that led you to seek the life of service?

Chad M

Well, my middle brother that was in the army, he always used to bring me home these little like face paint things, when I was a kid. It was one of those things I always wanted to do. I always wanted to be in the army, and I always wanted to be a truck driver. And so now I do both, I did both of those things.

Mark K

So, did you have any expectations going in?

Chad McKeown

I knew it would be hard and long, but I know a lot of people had it worse than me. So yeah, I had some expectations. My experience wasn’t terrible compared to a lot of other people.

Mark K

Was there an experience in basic that really sticks with you?

Chad M

It’s been so long ago so I don’t really remember very well so, I guess not really.

Mark K

Did you have a best, worst moment you would care to share from basic?

Chad M

One of my worst moments was at the very final PT test. It was AIT. I failed the PT test by one push up the very last one, so I had to stay and do pots and pans for two weeks until I passed it.

Mark K

How long did you serve for?

Chad M

I served six years in the Army National Guard and then I was deployed to Iraq for one year and then also for Hurricane Katrina, when that happened to Mississippi.

Mark K

What rank did you attain?

Chad M

I was an E4 specialist.

Mark K

Take me through a typical day in your time of service.

Chad M

Well, I guess it depends where you’re at, In Iraq, you know you have different missions some days you have guard duty where you’d be out checking vehicles or being in a guard tower and then other days, I was a truck driver, so other days I’d be driving it, log packs in the truck, hauling equipment or food or, stuff like that.

Mark K

During your time of service, are there any aspects of that life you are glad to have experienced?

Chad M

Yes, the loss of freedom when you lose, you know, basic things that you really enjoy about being back home. You can learn to appreciate those things a lot more. Just even the simple things like just driving in your car and listening to music or just stuff like that. You know Taco Bell or whatever. The many freedoms we enjoy every day that we take for granted, and you can realize that in your time of service that you have been taking those things for granted.

Mark K

Are there things you miss about that life?

Chad McKeown

I missed driving in convoys. I always thought that was cool, the large convoys. And then I missed seeing the cadence, when you are in formation, but, other than that, not a lot.

Mark K

I know everybody’s experience is different. But if you would, describe the acclimation process back to civilian life.

Chad M

For me it was not too bad because I was an Army National Guard soldier. So, I mean, there are a lot of soldiers that go to active duty for four or six or however many years and they come back and redo it. For me, I was only gone during deployment, so it was not too bad. And then, like I said, you know, when I got back, I was just happy to be free again. So, I did not have too many problems like that.

Mark K

How has the service had an impact on your day-to-day routines that you find yourself still doing?

Chad M

Yes, it just teaches you to be disciplined in certain areas of your life. You know, do not take things for granted and reminds you that things can always be worse, because if you have seen another country what it’s like there. And then yes, just the ability to complete your tasks and you know, take pride in your work.

Mark K

So other than things like freedom you mentioned, how has your service impacted your view of the world?

Chad McKeown

Yes, that’s a tough one. I guess it changed my view of politics a little bit because of some of these things. I do not think we need to be sending our young men over there, you know, I think about things like that. What has happened to Iraq since we’ve been there, I don’t think we really did much good, honestly.

Mark K

Is there any advice you would give someone seeking to join?

Chad M

I would say just enjoy it, you know, try to see the world, and take it in. You know, just taking in the sights and try to remember it. You make a lot of friends, try to stay connected with those friends for sure because you lose contact with those people it can be hard to find them again.

Mark K

Are there any final words or thoughts you would like to end with?

Chad McKeown

I guess my final thoughts, I appreciate being recognized, but I also want to recognize that my service was miniscule compared to many other people who have served. I think that if everyone did what I did and just served their country. Then come back, take care of their family, and then try to do honorable deeds in the community. I think there will be a lot more people that could be recognized for this as well.

Mark K

Thank you very much for your time. I very much appreciate it.

Meet Our Hometown Heroes

You can always come meet more of our Hometown Heroes at at our yearly “Remember” event! Make sure you nominate your hero today!

The post Chad Mckeown March Hometown Hero appeared first on FreedomSystem.org.

Years back, I was in a very negative headspace. It’s the headspace that many Veterans go through, the “I don’t fit in, Dysfunctional Veteran.” While funny on the surface, there is a danger to this. Veterans are Wearing shirts that put a mark on your back, literally. Furthermore, making the common Veteran look like they are all jerks and idiots. (I can fully assure you that this is the exception and not the rule.) It took a few people for me to understand that I’m not dysfunctional, albeit going through a hard time because of trauma, and that was okay, too. Being not okay is OK; sometimes, it’s a natural response to being in a high-intensity situation for long periods. That is the way of the military. However, in this mode, it is hard to show people that you have worth. Respect is earned, not given. Walking around like the world owes us a favor is irresponsible. The Veteran community went through a time of losing respect for one another and themselves as a whole because of this mentality.

Earning Respect

My wife and I teach our children that if you want respect, you must first, earn it. I teach my sons that if they want people to take them at their word then they need to be honest. Being honest is that first spot that people look for when deciding to give respect to someone. There is no place for dishonesty in respect. Therefore, having the integrity to keep your word, answer with truth even if it hurts, and always speak in respectful mannerisms will earn that respect.

There is more to it than just telling the truth to gain respect; however, it’s being cordial, honest, and caring. Often, people will say the truth in a manner that is hard to hear, with no caring if it hurts someone or not. Often, this is the way it needs to be done. We’ll call it the “ripping the band-aid off method. While some people respond much better to that method, most do not.

It’s not what you say it’s how you say it…

Verbal Judo is acrobatics in the mind. People have become accustomed to being spoken similarly across the world. They expect to be given respect immediately, regardless of context. This is a complex concept for many people, especially Veterans, who, for the duration of their military service, were being yelled at to do tasks. The task, or mission, was always the most essential thing in the military member’s life at that moment. There was nothing to stop the soldier* from completing said task. Often, the soldier was screamed at from the time they started the task until the end of the task. Unfortunately, that is the military way in many cases. This often becomes a trauma to the later Veteran, which retrains the brain from treating others with respect. Returning to speaking respectfully needs to be how an enlisted person discusses with an officer, saying with respect to the rank that has asked you to do something. This is the acrobatics that one must do in one’s brain before they speak. Retraining people to talk in a manner that de-escalates a situation or encourages is often the most challenging part of re-learning integrity.

Saying the right words, all the time, does not matter! It’s the way in which you say the words that matter. Speak the truth in a manner that doesn’t harden hearts. The Bible says to “speak the truth in love”, while this is important – it is not an easy task. This is the part where we have to learn to become and speak what we believe.

Gaining Respect is Gaining Integrity

I, me, Kenny Holmes, personally believe that the way to gain respect is to treat the person that you are talking to in a manner that they want to be treated. The whole “Golden Rule” thing is a thing to me. I have been fairly successful with it I think, since getting off of the “Dysfunctional Veteran” roller-coaster ride.

All of this only works if you have respect for yourself! I saw a VA counselor for many years. The one I saw was also a Jewish Rabbi, and one of the things that he was fond of telling me (because I identify as a Christian): “You Christians do not use your Jesus!” While that may seem odd for a Jew to say – it’s also quite true. We, as Christians, want people to see us as lovers of each other; while respecting us in the present. We often forget to ask for our Creator’s blessing. Showing our love through our Christian Values is the way that people will see you and judge your integrity. Walking the walk and falling the talk.

When I was going through the hard time, it was evident I didn’t have much respect for what I was doing. I didn’t have the self-worth that I needed. Looking at Facebook, at the drama, the insecurities of people, the over-enthusiasm for mediocre tasks, this all messed with my psyche. Social media wrecked my self-worth. It wrecked my ability to have confidence; therefore, I couldn’t speak the truth because I wasn’t living the truth. Ironically; though, I met another individual that helped me get my self worth back. He helped me until he couldn’t anymore, and even offered me a job if I’d move to Texas. However; that was never in the cards for my family! But he gave me the opportunity to meet and do work for very successful people. All of the people that I met through him helped me gain the knowledge of what they were doing, showing respect.

Move Over Gains, Respect is in The House

Knowing I still needed help, I contacted clergy, who referred me to a Stephen’s Minister. This is where clarity met mind and respect in the road and hugged! The object of being respectful is the ability to listen, speak when needed to, and regard with only the knowledge that the person lets you in on.

My Stephen’s Minister and my therapist worked with me to help me get out of the hole that I was in. To this day my Stephen’s Minister, let’s call him Mike, help me out. Mike keeps me in check and in reality, but he helps me remember that to receive respect it’s about showing it first!

Full circle now, and if you have stuck with me this far, we are on the ending strip of this article. This is what FreedomSystem’s goal is now. Let Veterans earn the respect that they may feel that they lost when the left the military.

What’s Coming Next

Right now, FreedomSystem.org, has classes once a quarter to help get resumes right. There are a few new features coming to the website that will be there to help with résumé’s and job searching. We are starting to do our group mountain bike rides again this year, and we are working on our Veterans coaching kids program through our newly formed baseball team! And so much more…

Don’t forget to get your tickets to “Remember,” May 18th, tickets are on sale on the website here and through our board members and a select few locations throughout the Elkhart Community!

Until next time:

PEACE

The post Integrity Becomes Respect appeared first on FreedomSystem.org.

Every year FreedomSystem.org has one fundraiser called “Remember!” This fundraiser is how we fund our programs like our Mountain Bike program and career building programs as well as starting new programs every year in which we help United States Military Veterans. Furthermore, every year we try to make sure we create programs that promote camaraderie and Veterans getting together to create opportunities for Veterans to interact with people that understand one another. The “Remember” event creates another opportunity for the public to have awareness of military Veteran issues; moreover, bringing civilians and military together.

The Remember Event creates an excellent time for the community to share their expierences with Veterans, creating a way to show their support. Oftentimes, the military Veterans does not feel the gratitude of the public because they do not see it. This creates an expierence for our Veterant to see that gratitude.

Who is coming to the Remember Event?

This year is quite exciting, “Remember” is hosting Captain Chad Fleming. CPT Fleming is the first soldier to become an amputee and go back into combat. CPT Fleming’s story is quite unique and we are very excited about having him here with us for supper and to hear his story! This year we also have the added bonus of having Casey Hendrickson and Lauren Zeugner as our Master of Ceremonies. Furthermore, FSO’s President Kenny Holmes will give a quick rundown of the evening!

We will also have live music from Sam Brown and then after dinner music with Doobieus for dancing! Not to mention all the other great things happening!

Where and How to get Tickets for Remember…

This is a fun answer! Getting tickets has been made very easy and fun! you can get tickets from any one of our board members (look at our Mission page for who they are). The other places that you can get tickets are at Ivy and Oak, George’s Gyros, Golden Bear Bikes, VFW Post 985, and/or Printers Plus.

Of course there is another option to get tickets and that is here on our website!

See you at Remember

You do not want to miss this event! This is our pinacle event every year and we are going to be honoring Veterans in a new way! This year we are announcing our Hometown Heroes and look forward to you seeing how these individuals help locally!

Until then:

PEACE

The post Remember Event | May 18th, 2024 appeared first on FreedomSystem.org.

Anxiety Attacks Do NOT Have to Cripple

I experienced this anxiety attack while taking a shower. I was going about my morning routine as usual, and it seemed like any other day. However, it caught me off guard. As a therapeutic measure and a personal reminder, I wrote a blog post about it and shared it with the world. This experience made me realize that it’s normal to struggle sometimes as long as you strive to improve.

This post highlighted the fact that many people face similar challenges, not just military members. However, it’s often more prevalent among military veterans who may not openly discuss their struggles.

Anxiety attacks shouldn’t be taken lightly, and there are techniques to help regain composure. However, it’s often difficult to manage alone. Fortunately, on Monday, my wife helped me remember to breathe and ensured I was okay before continuing with the day.

Ignoring what happened during an anxiety attack does oneself a disservice. It’s both a physical and mental ordeal. These attacks can feel like a heart attack or as exhausting as running a marathon. It’s crucial to remember that you’re not alone when experiencing them. It’s okay not to be okay.

Breathe It Through Attack the Anxiety Attacks

Anxiety attacks, while often crippling (at the time), do not have to be a day killer. These attacks can often be pushed to the side by simply getting fresh oxygen in your brain and bloodstream. Breathing through an anxiety attack is the hardest thing to learn how to do. At the same time, it is the easiest thing and the toughest thing to do. Here are a few ways to get through an anxiety attack:

1. Breathe. It seems simple, and it is, but frequently, it is overlooked because it takes a lot to make sure that you are breathing in the right way. Breathe in deep. Breathe past the lungs and into the diaphragm (the spot right above your navel). Breathe deep and exhale even deeper. This will get the bad oxygen out of your head and into your brain, which helps make it possible to have rational thoughts.
2. Write it down. Writing what you are going through may allow you to identify the triggers later as you read over what you have written. Writing also helps you hyperfocus on something outside of the panic that you are feeling. If you feel like you want to share your thoughts, that is okay; realize that some people don’t understand and may want to tear you down for sharing a “weakness.” Remember that “pain is weakness leaving the body,” and anxiety is pain.
3. Pray. I am a Christian, and I find prayer cathartic; furthermore, studies show that those who have a good prayer life can curb and feel “healed.” But whatever/whomever your deity is, there is something with prayer that helps.
4. Medication. I discourage meds in most cases because anxiety medication is often highly addicting, and if you have an addictive personality, it could get you addicted. However, if a physician prescribes it correctly, it will help you in a panic attack. For me, it brings my mood back to stable (and I only take them as an absolute last resort)

Kick Ass Before it Kicks Yours

Learning how to beat them is only half the battle, but it can help to help others kick anxiety. Being available to help someone is always recommended.

Finally, empowering others to confront their anxiety is an essential part of overcoming it yourself. By offering support and understanding, we can create a community where no one feels alone in their struggles.

Remember, anxiety attacks don’t have to control your life. By implementing these strategies and supporting each other, we can all work towards kicking anxiety to the curb.

Until Next Time

I look forward to writing these blogs, if you have any ideas on what you would like to learn about more please contact me here or send me an email: kenny@freedomsystem.org.

PEACE

The post Anxiety Attacks Happen appeared first on FreedomSystem.org.

Nomination Narrative: In his service to his country, Bruce attained the rank of E5 Sergeant. Bruce was a scout squad leader, completed one tour in Iraq, Airbourne qualifications, and finished His time in service as a sniper team leader. Bruce sets a good example of integrity and leadership when it comes to daily routine in His personal life outside of the military. In His role as a supervisor for Adams and Westlake LTD. He has been successful. He was given more responsibilities in another dept. at Adlake and met the challenges head-on.

Mark K

Good afternoon, I’m here today with Bruce Rundberg, who is Januarys’ Hometown Hero award recipient. As the recipient He’ll be receiving items from Freedomsystem.org as a thank you for His service from us. Also, He’ll be a guest at our annual dinner this May 18^th, 2024, featuring Cpt. Chad Flemming.

Mark K

Bruce, if you would, tell me a little bit about yourself, background history, current work.

Bruce R

I’m 37 from Hobart IN that’s where I grew up at. Graduated from River Forest High School. I currently work at Adams and Westlake. Been here for 10 years now working in manufacturing.

Mark K

So, what branch of service did you choose?

Bruce R

Army National Guard.

Mark K

Were there any other branches you considered before the army?

Bruce R

I’d say Marine Corps, active army.

Mark K

Did you have any family that was in the military?

Bruce R

I had a grandfather that was in Vietnam with the army.

Mark K

What were some of the motivating factors that led you to seek that life?

Bruce R

I wanted to be challenged. I really wasn’t afraid of much. And it just seemed exciting to do. You get to go to different places, get shoot different weapons, it just seemed fun.

Mark K

Did you have any expectations going in?

Bruce R

I knew it was going to suck. You’re going to get your body beat up and pushed, but that’s what you signed up for.

Mark K

Was there an experience in basic training that really sticks with you?

Bruce R

Not really. It was just. It was good overall.

Mark K

Did you have a best or worst moment you’d care to share from basic?

Bruce R

Nothing special about basic if I’m being honest. I mean good drill sergeants, but them being good doesn’t really mean that it’s bad. They were just they were hard on you and it made you better for it.

Mark K

How long did you serve?

Bruce R

I put 13 years in.

Mark K

In those 13 years, what rank did you attain?

Bruce R

I hit E5, Sergeant.

Mark K

Were you ever deployed?

Bruce R

Yes, one-time 07/08 in Baghdad, Iraq.

Mark K

So, take me through a typical day in your time of service.

Bruce R

Can you be more specific?

Mark K

It can be anything, you know, from when you’re deployed or when you’re at home.

Bruce R

Oh well, the days were easy. You just need. Workout go on your mission and repeat, and it was simple. Fun, not fun, but exciting because there’s a lot on the line.

Mark K

What about a day while you’re at home?

Bruce R

If you weren’t in the field like Garrison time, it was just certifications that needed to be done making sure your soldiers were doing what they needed to do and getting their stuff done as well. Maintaining your PT. or in the field, depending on what the mission was. I spent a lot of time in Recon Platoon, so most of my time was a scout. So, a lot of stalking through the woods, creeping around and trying not to get caught and find the enemy and report them in.

Mark K

During your time and time of service, are there any aspects of that life you’re glad to have experienced? Anything that sticks out?

Bruce R

All of it, I’d say. Probably the most enjoyable thing overall was probably doing airborne. It was just fun to get that jump out of airplanes.

Mark K

Are there things you miss about that life?

Bruce R

Yeah, the camaraderie with your team was just the best. You guys are all potentially going to face certain death and everyone’s looking out for everybody and it’s just. The friendships made are just deep because of that.

Mark K

Describe the acclimation process back to civilian life.

Bruce R

It’s a little weird. I mean if you’re talking about coming back from deployment where you’re going from looking for bombs everywhere, in the road and in every little nook and cranny when you’re out and about to just regular civilian life. Driving around and trying not to look for that stuff. It was kind of weird, and probably took a little bit, but if you know what to expect going there and coming back, it’s pretty manageable and transitioning and separating yourself from overseas to here.

Mark K

So, you’re saying from heightened senses awareness, to calm down, I don’t have to be.

Bruce R

I don’t think that will go away. That’s always there. It’s just more, you manage how high you’re allowing it to be turned up at the time, but it’s kind of always there with you forever. But again, just being able to separate that and then turning the dial down a little bit so you can enjoy certain aspects of life.

Mark K

How has your service impacted your view of the world?

Bruce R

You get a better appreciation for this country when you go overseas to many different places, and you see how those people live. Poor over here. It isn’t poor in a lot of the places over in Europe or Asia. I think a lot of people don’t experience that. So, you take what you have here for granted.

Mark K

Looking back overall, are you glad that you made the choice to serve?

Bruce R

Oh, for sure, I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Mark K

Is there any advice you’d give to someone seeking to join?

Bruce R

Know what MOS you’re looking into, and then what the outcomes are to that after you’re getting out because you eventually will get out and transition into a civilian life. So, you want to ideally, have something that’s going to benefit where you want to be in the civilian world eventually. And if not, just pick the thing you’re really going to enjoy. Mine was the infantry.

Mark K

Are there any final words or thoughts you’d like to end on?

Bruce R

I’m glad that I served because I wanted to. I had a good time and made a lot of good friends there. That was it.

Mark K

Well, thank you for your time. I Appreciate it.

Bruce R

Thank you.

The post Bruce Rundberg January Hometown Hero appeared first on FreedomSystem.org.

The Official Statement

FreedomSystem.org announced its annual event, ‘Remember: Honoring the Legacy of Veterans, Past and Future,’ scheduled to take place on May 18, 2024, at the Northern Indiana Event Center, 21565 Executive Parkway, Elkhart. Moreover, FreedomSystem holds deep honor in featuring Retired Army Captain Chad Fleming as this year’s keynote speaker.

Who is Chad Fleming?

Captain Chad Fleming, a highly decorated war hero, undertook five deployments after becoming an amputee. He is one of the few who have been able to redeploy into combat as an amputee. He retired from active duty after serving with distinction and receiving numerous awards and decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal, two Bronze Star Medals with Valor, and three Purple Hearts.

Thus, FreedomSystem feels honored to be able to host Captain Chad Fleming on this remarkable night.

What is Remember?

Moreover, this is FreedomSystem’s fifth annual event to bring awareness to its military veteran programs. This year’s event aims to raise proceeds benefiting FreedomSystem’s programs for veterans and their families.

The evening’s program will feature dinner, music by Sam Brown, a live and silent auction, and a raffle of two firearms! The event will be emceed by 95.3 MNC’s Casey Hendrickson and The Paper’s Lauren Zeugner; additionally, FreedomSystem’s own Kenny Holmes will give a welcoming speech.

When and Where Can I Get Tickets to See CPT Chad Fleming?

The pricing for tickets is $60 per person, $100 per couple, or $350 per table of 8. However, tickets will be available in March 2024, watch for our announcement detailing when and where to make your purchase.

Underwriting and Sponsorships Are Available

Sponsorships for the evening are available at various levels ranging from $750 to $2,000; additionally underwriting opportunities are available too.

The deadline for reserving a sponsorship is Feb. 28, 2024. After this date, we will not accept any further sponsorships. For more information, contact Sarah Holmes at sarah@freedomsystem.org.

The post Keynote Speaker Announcement: CPT Chad Fleming – Remember appeared first on FreedomSystem.org.

The West Side Middle School Event for Veteran’s Day was truly awesome! It served as a remarkable tribute to the Veterans in the Elkhart area. The band was awesome, the tribute was great, and the speakers were great, too, if we can say ourselves! The organizers clearly outlined the itinerary for the guests who came to watch and focus on it. The bands and choirs were phenomenal! The event showed that there is love for Veterans in our public schools. The Veterans enjoyed themselves during the event; they felt the love and the thank yous being supplied.

Public “Thank you” from Veteran’s Day Keynote Speaker: Kenny Holmes

Kenny really enjoyed himself and wants to publicly announce that he is very happy with how the event went.

Dear Students, Staff, and Teachers of West Side Middle School,

Often, we Veterans find ourselves in the middle of conflict within our heads and do not really know how to react to being thanked. The event that you put on for Veterans on Veteran’s Day was nothing short of remarkable! It was well put together, and we (the Veterans) found it profoundly humbling the amount of gratitude that you have for us. Our sacrifice as Veterans is nothing if it is not for you all.

As the keynote speaker, I was certainly proud of you students for being engaged and allowing me to speak to you about what it means to be a Veteran. I look forward to the future events that you have! Thank you for giving me the chance to share some of my story and remember never to give up and surrender for the things that you believe in!

Thank you again for having me, and I look forward to seeing what you all do in the future.

Teachers always continue teaching the good fight of being a good citizen. Kids can be… well… kids, and they all can be hard to handle at times. However, the most difficult ones often end up being the story’s hero, which can be because of you!

Again, thank you for having me! The ability to share my story with the younger generation is something I look forward to.
Slainte,

Kenneth L. Holmes, SGT U.S. Army
President, FreedomSystem.org

Watch the Event

Sarah videoed the event, it was such a good event with all of what the kids did, and the students and staff combined made it great! You can watch it here on the site, and if you want to share it with other groups, it was amazing!

Learn More

If you would like to learn more about being a Veteran or would like to have one of our board members speak at your event, let us know! Furthermore, we have a lifetime of information from our Veteran board members, not only Kenny, but Jeff, Fred, Tony, and Adam. Go ahead and hit the Contact button up top or here!

The post West Side Middle School’s Veteran’s Day Event appeared first on FreedomSystem.org.

Kenny Holmes will speak at a Veteran’s Day event at West Side Middle School at 8:30 on November 10th, 2023. He will be speaking about what it means to be a Veteran while telling a couple of stories of his service and motivating the crowd to work on always being positive and that there is always a way through the hard times! Kenny co-founded FreedomSystem.org and subsequently has been the organization’s president since 2015.

A Combat Veteran

Kenneth L. Holmes is a combat veteran from Iraq. His combat tour service is 2007-2008. Kenny was in the military for 12 years and is very humbled to have been asked to speak at this event for Veteran’s Day. Being a combat Veteran means a lot to Kenny to make sure that all Veterans before him and those to come are remembered. For a comprehensive history of this, look at this history.

Veteran’s Day Looking to the Future

As we sit back and look to the future of Veterans, they are still the smallest fraction of people in the United States. The more conflicts that we have… The more combat Veterans that we have, and right now, we have a lot of Veterans getting out of service from our last wars that lasted 20 years. Iraq and Afghanistan are on a lot of people’s radars still. The more Veterans we have, the more opportunities that need to be given back to those who served.

All Welcome

All are welcome to listen to the speech at West Side Middle School. Make sure you say hello to Kenny after the speech! Furthermore, Kenny will head to the Elkhart Community Schools event afterward!

The post Kenny Holmes to Speak at Veteran’s Day Event appeared first on FreedomSystem.org.

·
The Common Veterans explore what it is to be a Veteran and use
verbiage like “Brother.” Where blood ties are not necessary to be siblings…

—

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/commonveterans/message

Episode 7: All in the Family

The Common Veterans explore what it is to be a Veteran and use verbiage like “Brother.” Where blood ties are not necessary to be siblings…

Family

• Everyone has a family; not everyone has a brother/sisterhood.
  • No family: the military gives you a new set.
    • Words mean things:
      • Brother/Sister, it’s more than “Hey Buddy.”
        • “Hey Brother” = a bond
          • Civilians should feel privileged.
        • In the military, the sense of brother/sisterhood is brought in from the first training – rather, it is basic training or the delayed entry programs.
          • Active Duty
          • National Guard / Reserves
        • Basic training instills a sense of family in those in the uniform.
          • You go through the “stuff” together.
          • Learn how to be a soldier.
            • Being a brother gives the privilege of trust and integrity.
              • Because you are going through the same rough times, it is a shared experience.
            • Beyond the blood and into camaraderie.
              • Camaraderie definition:
                • mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together.
              • Represent the family in a positive light.
                • Often, there is a positive light being the family.
                • The sarcastic “Brother” is and can be figured out as the antithesis of being a family member.
                  • “Brotha” – precedes a fight.
                    • Watch out for the Infantryman that starts out with that
                  • Fighting among brothers/sisters often are because of being too close to each other for a long time.

Becoming Thicker Than Blood

• Family life is sometimes not easy to be family.
• Blood doesn’t necessarily equate to total trust
• Combat vs non-combat
  • Many times, the combat soldier/sailor/airmen/marine combat soldier becomes angry at the ones that haven’t served.

Next Podcast

Old LA Tonight: Hollywood gets some things right regarding movies and some seriously wrong. The Common Veterans pick apart and discuss their favorite military movies.

The post Episode 7 All in the Family appeared first on FreedomSystem.org.

What is it like to be a dangerous person? Civilians often think that because military veterans are oftentimes trained to kill and/or be killed, they are dangerous. In the military, most branches learn to shoot real guns, with real bullets, with very real consequences. We have all seen the movies where the basic trainee becomes irrational and kills the drill sergeant. This is almost an impossibility because the weapons given to trainees are always under lock and key. But still, there is a stigma that becomes of many veterans that here at FreedomSystem.org, we try our best to fight: The Dysfunctional Veteran.

Yes, each veteran is trained to be dangerous within what is laid out before them as a Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine. Military members are trained to see the darkest side of life and continue to step forward and do their duty. However, this training doesn’t turn veterans into dangerous individuals in civilian life. It equips them with unique skills, resilience, and values that can be powerful assets in the civilian world.

Committed to Understanding Veterans…

At FreedomSystem.org, we are committed to helping veterans and civilians understand what it truly means to be a veteran. We believe in dispelling myths and stereotypes and shining a light on the incredible strengths that veterans bring to society. Here are a few key aspects of veteran life that we want to highlight:

1. Discipline: Military training instills a level of discipline that is second to none. Veterans are accustomed to structure, punctuality, and accountability. These qualities can translate seamlessly into civilian jobs, making veterans valuable assets to any organization. We will help translate if needed!
2. Leadership: Veterans often find themselves in leadership roles early in their military careers. Whether leading a small team or commanding a larger unit, they develop strong leadership skills that can benefit businesses, non-profits, and communities. Their ability to make tough decisions and inspire others is a true asset.
3. Resilience: Veterans have faced adversity and mental and physical high-stress situations. This resilience is a hallmark of their character and can help them overcome challenges in civilian life. They don’t shy away from difficulties; they confront them head-on.
4. Teamwork: Military service emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collaboration. Veterans understand the power of working together towards a common goal. This teamwork mindset can foster a positive work environment and contribute to a company’s success.
5. Adaptability: Veterans are no strangers to change. They have experienced different environments, cultures, and challenges during their service. This adaptability can be a huge asset in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world.

Here for the Veteran and Their Families and Friends…

FreedomSystem.org offers resources, support, and training to help veterans transition smoothly into civilian life. We aim to bridge the gap between military and civilian perspectives, fostering a better understanding of the unique experiences and strengths that veterans bring to our communities. Our mission is to empower veterans to thrive in their post-service lives and encourage civilians to appreciate their incredible contributions.

So, let us celebrate their dedication, commitment, and the valuable skills they bring to our society. Instead of seeing them as dangerous, let us recognize them as the resilient, disciplined, and resourceful individuals they are. Together, we can create a world where veterans and civilians understand and appreciate each other, working hand in hand to build a brighter future for all. Join us at FreedomSystem.org, where we strive to honor our veterans and empower them on their journey to success.

That’s all for now; don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or want to volunteer. We love to answer questions!

Until next time:

PEACE!

The post Veterans: Breaking the Stigma & Recognizing Their Strengths appeared first on FreedomSystem.org.