CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Veterans - Retired military, take opportunities to share your service story

Stuart News - 6/6/2018

Almost every retired soldier I know is humble. It's just not in our character

to promote ourselves.

PORT SAINT LUCIE – Recently, I received a Memorial Day newsletter called "Army Echoes." It is a publication for Army retirees.

In it was an article titled, "The Problem with Being Humble."

This prompted a discussion on humility, with my retired Ranger buddy, Lieutenant Colonel Chad Walker.

Chad sponsors a Gofundme page, https://www.gofundme.com/ RANGER-Walker-18.

We agreed that everyone should strive to be humble, but not too humble.

For the sake of full disclosure, I should report that I have never been accused of being too humble.

We talked about the difference between arrogance, self esteem and humility.

Arrogance in my opinion is the act of "bigging yourself up "– whether publicly or just inside your own mind.

Often it involves knocking others down at the same time.

Self-esteem functions is part of our emotional immune system. So, what distinguishes between people who feel confidence and pride from those who are boastful and arrogant?

Psychologists distinguish between two kinds of pride.

Authentic pride arises when we feel good about ourselves, confident, and productive, and is related to socially-desirable personality traits.

Hubristic pride tends to involve egotism and arrogance, and is related to socially undesirable traits.

Humility, sometimes referred to as modesty, is one of the strengths of character.

Humility is defined as not thinking more highly of oneself than is warranted.

Almost every retired soldier I know is humble. It's just not in our character to promote ourselves.

Therein lies a problem for the Army and in fact the military at large.

Americans don't know who among us is retired military.

Only 0.6% of the American population is retired military. We are an extreme minority.

Our numbers coupled with our humility virtually makes us a silent minority.

Most Americans don't know their military, which is a major problem.

Very few folks live close to military bases. They seldom don't get an opportunity to talk to us.

Most Americans feel that they should thank us for our service, but few really know why. They don't know what the military do in their name to preserve and defend their way of life.

Most Americans don't understand the sacrifices of military families.

And Americans won't know if they aren't told.

So, this Ranger is issuing a challenge to the retired military living in towns and cities across this great nation.

Ruck up! (This military phrase means to suck it up and drive on or walk it off).

Wear apparel or place window or bumper stickers on your car that will start a conversation about your service

Set the example by the way you live and get involved in your community.

Join and support your local Veteran Service Organization e.g. DAV, American Legion, VFW.

When you put on this rucksack this Memorial Day, be a little less humble. Don't be silent! Talk about who you represent. Tell them your service story and why you served.

Tell them that today's "serving" are doing their part to preserve our way of life. Inspire them. Let's not be a silent minority.

Dr. Dana Matthews is a retired Lieutenant Colonel, US Army Ranger and a Veteran's Advocate.

Dust Off

Dr. Dana Matthews

YourNews contributor

Almost every retired soldier I know is humble. It's just not in our character

to promote ourselves.