How to duplicate Mighty Men? - Part V - "The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday!”

How do you want your eulogy to read? If you could write it, “What legacy do you want to leave your family, children?”…. "When your children get married…and they have your grandchildren….What kind of parents do you want them to be?”... "What kind of husband or wife will they be?”….”What kind of family will they produce?”.... "What pages of “your story” would you like them to use as their “benchmark” when starting their own family?”.... “Even better yet when you’re great great-grandchildren, whom you’ll never see until heaven, when they’re around the kitchen table, talking with their friends…. "How do you want to be remembered?”....Hardened questions…for a “Mighty Man”.…who play’s a “Mighty role in God’s Master Plan!”

I’d like to draw upon some familiar examples or parallels that will help you build your own "Mighty Men" … "Band of Brothers" and I couldn't think of a better way to open this chapter without a tribute to the "Frogmen"...The United States Navy Seal.

LIEUTENANT MICHAEL P. MURPHY
UNITED STATES NAVY

For service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and above and beyond the call of duty as the leader of a special reconnaissance element with Naval Special Warfare task unit Afghanistan on 27 and 28 June 2005. While leading a mission to locate a high-level anti-coalition militia leader, Lieutenant Murphy demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan. On 28 June 2005, operating in an extremely rugged enemy-controlled area, Lieutenant Murphy's team was discovered by anti-coalition militia sympathizers, who revealed their position to Taliban fighters. As a result, between 30 and 40 enemy fighters besieged his four member team. Demonstrating exceptional resolve, Lieutenant Murphy valiantly led his men in engaging the large enemy force. The ensuing fierce firefight resulted in numerous enemy casualties, as well as the wounding of all four members of the team. Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men. When the primary communicator fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant Murphy repeatedly attempted to call for assistance for his beleaguered teammates. Realizing the impossibility of communicating in the extreme terrain, and in the face of almost certain death, he fought his way into open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call. This deliberate, heroic act deprived him of cover, exposing him to direct enemy fire. Finally achieving contact with his headquarters, Lieutenant Murphy maintained his exposed position while he provided his location and requested immediate support for his team. In his final act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country and for the cause of freedom. By his selfless leadership, Lieutenant Murphy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

On October 22, 2007, a presentation ceremony was held at the White House, President George W. Bush presented Murphy's Medal of Honor to his parents.

Wow!…..that is a eulogy!....Wow! ...”What other words could I say?”... "Kick Ass!?"…yeah maybe…but that almost degrades Lt. Murphy and his SEAL Team’s valor.....there’s simply aren’t words to describe this level of sacrifice to the common man…or is there?

Lt. Murphy and his Seal Team lead a life that was deliberately designed, trained and carried out for the benefit of “others”. What a selfless act. Think about it… “Because of the dangers inherent in NSW, prospective SEALs go through what is considered by many military experts to be the toughest training in the world!”…these guys “volunteer” to be abused, punished and trained for over a year or longer and then are sent off to battle as the first “boots on the ground” in most operations.

These guys are the real deal. They ain’t talking about it…they are walking it and therefore the result based on their “proactive” efforts, is a “Warrior” that not only is feared the world over, but are equally challenged to be a “common man” that is humble, yet devoted to the welfare of others….“Now, I don’t care who you are…that there is kick ass!”….I want to be more like that!

I asked myself…“What does it look like to be that “selfless”?...“To be prepared to take on an enemy, on some distant land you haven’t seen before?” …This isn’t some football game, at your rival school’s football field….this is a place you’ve never been before, against an enemy who has your number and isn’t looking to just score a touchdown in your end zone. SEAL’s train to fight an enemy that could ultimately take their own life, all in the name of what?....“In order that what?”.....“So that others may have a better life than him?”….hhhmmm?

Understanding what a SEAL is and does and how he applies his knowledge is crucial in answering my question… “How do we duplicate Mighty Men?”…. “What drives a man to be “Intentionally Accountable?”…to stop “fighting fires?”…and become a “Passionate Warrior?” ….Then in part, I found it… "The US Navy SEAL Creed!”….

“In times of war or uncertainty there is a special breed of warrior ready to answer our Nation’s call. A common man with uncommon desire to succeed. Forged by adversity, he stands alongside America’s finest special operations forces to serve his country, the American people, and protect their way of life. I am that man.

My Trident is a symbol of honor and heritage. Bestowed upon me by the heroes that have gone before, it embodies the trust of those I have sworn to protect. By wearing the Trident I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that I must earn every day.

My loyalty to Country and Team is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions. I voluntarily accept the inherent hazards of my profession, placing the welfare and security of others before my own.

I serve with honor on and off the battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men. Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond.

We expect to lead and be led. In the absence of orders I will take charge, lead my teammates and accomplish the mission. I lead by example in all situations.

I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.

We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The lives of my teammates and the success of our mission depend on me - my technical skill, tactical proficiency, and attention to detail. My training is never complete.

We train for war and fight to win. I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to bear in order to achieve my mission and the goals established by my country.

The execution of my duties will be swift and violent when required yet guided by the very principles that I serve to defend.

Brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail.”

Wow….Wow! When I read their creed, it hit me like a freight train….“That’s it!...That’s it!”….I said to myself …“Yes, that is who I am!”…“Yes, that is who we are!” “Yes, that is a perfect example of what it’s like to be apart of a “Band of Brothers!”

You can’t help but see how their creed correlates with scripture…“Selflessness”, “Sacrifice”, “Humility”, “Lead by example”…“Putting others first over themselves” ….these men are “Warrior’s”…yet, it begs to answer my question.

The foundation of our “band of brothers” CREED if you will is scripturally based first and foremost. But, for most of us “veteran church goers”, this “band of brothers” concept complicates and almost frustrates our traditional accountability dialogue. Up to now, we’re taught “that our relationship is between us and God”…“that we’re only accountable to Him.” and in all fairness, I agree.

Where I disagree is this…”If we honestly feel we’re strong enough to make wise, objective and scripturally based decisions, on a pending divorce at hand or the “minor” porn problem we’ve lived with or the lack of relationship we have with a teenage daughter who is desperately seeking her daddy’s attention. If, there are men, who can honestly say they got it under control, all by themselves …then the “Band of Brothers” ministry conversation may be a waste of your time. Or even better yet, my “Band of Brothers” are from another planet and we’re no good on our own…Ha ha! ..Yes, you’ve caught me being a bit sarcastic again and rightly so.

WE ALL probably remember and can recall how often a church pastor / leader taught sermons based on … “Laying our burdens down at the foot of the cross!?” OR “We need to let go of the steering wheel and let Jesus take control of our burdens!?”... that “If we go to the bible, the scriptures will provide the answer!?” and honestly, for those of us who may be in a season of “joy” and “contentment”, these are lessons that we connect with and we shout “Hallelujah”…“Praise God” and we leave the church building feeling uplifted and secure.

On the other hand, let me paint you a different perception of a brother who is struggling, right now with an addiction or is faced with a tough marriage decision, who after the very same sermon, isn’t really able too “emotionally” connect with God’s Grace or the true message that the sermon was intended and therefore isn’t able to make good choices.

Frankly, those types of sermons didn’t help me either. All I could see is my marriage failing, my children crying for their daddy, who isn’t at home and basically I felt I was a loser. I can vividly remember how lost and hurt I felt. I really didn’t know how to take my next step? So, every time someone would preach on that kind of sermon, it ultimately made me feel worse? I felt more alone. Honestly, my response internally was something to the affect of “Dah!..I know the bible has the answers, buddy!”.... “I know if I just left my burdens at the foot of the cross that Jesus will make my life easier?”…“Look Pal, right now, right this minute, I’m dying inside…I can’t pick myself off the ground….I’m down here in the mud, feeling really bad about myself right now, I’m drowning and I need a toe strap to winch me out of here asap!”… “help me stop the bleeding first….then we can talk about how those scriptures apply to me and my family!?”

…What I was really saying is “I needed someone to stand in the gap for me and my wife, our marriage, for the health of my family?”… “Someone to walk along side me whose already been down this trail?”…“Isn’t afraid of the challenge?”….“Who can guide me through this darkness?”…“Tell me I’m going to be ok?”….“Tell me how to get help for myself and my marriage?”….“To listen to me whether I’m all full of myself or not!”….“To lend an ear and listen to my pain”…“To provide me the much needed wisdom that I lack when I’m checked out?”… “Provide me a wise counsel that will help me make hard decisions, when I’m emotionally distracted?”

I was in need of a “venue” that allowed me to feel, deal and heal from my issues. Having a “company of men” at those moments when I’m down and challenged, are crucial. They make all the difference between making a good choice or a bad choice.

The US Military never “promotes or Highlights” the benefits or advantages of working alone with “me, myself and I”….as the most important strategy to advance an enemy combatant. Nor has the Bible ever supported the benefit of being a “lone wolf”. Matthew Chapter 18 speaks to me, specifically in verse 20 “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

If by now you haven’t figured out where I’m going with this, let me help you. It’s all about the “TEAM”…how can a 4 man SEAL team take on almost 150 + Taliban Fighters and kill over 100 of them?”

”How you ask?”… well, on most accounts the “Taliban Fighter’s” acted more like we do as men with our own families.…we train individually, if you will, by ourselves. We think if we read the latest books on the rack, go to a Men’s class or Ministry, pay to listen to great speakers and even go to a W@H boot camp that come end of the day….we’re gonna have the answers. Yet, we are alone, against an enemy that is devouring 50% of our great nations marriages, families and therefore leaving a wake of sewage, the “sins of the fathers”, to roll on down hill to the next generation.

Simply, we lack the ability to apply this new found knowledge? Whereas, the strength of a SEAL team….”Is built upon the TEAM”…”each other”…”every day of every week”…”they train and bleed together”….”they fight with and for each other”….”they have each other’s backs”….”always urging each other on”…”relentlessly persevering to succeed”….and if required, will take bullet and die for each other… so that their brothers or brother’s marriage and family will live on to fight another day!”


Well, I’ll stop here so that we all could digest the basis of this chapter. As we head into the final stretch of this series and before you skip to the final chapter VI… “What questions do you find yourself asking right now?”…”What do you want your role to look like as a husband, as a father, as a grandfather?”…”What is your urgency level on identifying men, who will be there for you, through the blood and the sweat?”…”What does your sacrifice look like?”…”What will you have to give up in your life, in order to make room for this new found “training”?