["A Summer of Powerful Peace" (#ASOPP) is the 90-day campaign to launch the game-changing new book, Powerful Peace; A Navy SEAL's Lessons on Peace from a Lifetime at War. Here's #22. Click at the top right to receive email notices for updates!]
Yesterday I got some marvelous news about the release of Powerful Peace, and promised through various media I would share it in today’s #ASOPP. I wasn’t thinking of what today’s date would be. As you will read, today we remember one of the two worst tragedies in Naval Special Warfare history. It’s a day some SEALs cry.
My friend and Teammate asked whether I would let him do a special guest entry for today’s update, in honor of the Brothers we both lost on this day. I promised I’d leave whatever he gave me intact. What I received is a personal honor matched only by Admiral Brian Losey’s calling me an iron fist in a velvet glove.
I give you that guest #ASOPP update:
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“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another”… the quintessential description of brotherhood in Proverbs 27:17, and the carefully-chosen words spoken by Powerful Peace author Rob DuBois while eulogizing fallen SEAL team-mate Dan Healy, killed in action seven years ago this day near Asadabad, Afghanistan in support of Operation Red Wings.
“Red Wings” is among the greatest tragedies ever to befall the NavSpecWarfare community (and well-chronicled in SEAL brother Marcus Luttrell’s book “Lone Survivor”). My respectfully-brief mention of it here is intended solely for establishing context and perspective… as the “iron sharpens iron” idiom is a deep-rooted and recurring theme for those fortunate souls crossing paths with Rob DuBois; I’m sure many of you have already experienced this dynamic in your own interactions with him.
Earlier this week, I noticed an #ASOPP update in which DuBois proactively attempts to segregate the importance of the Powerful Peace message from the (very) humble messenger… and while I understand (and appreciate) the academic value in analyzing DuBois’ national security policies, relationship management techniques, and conflict resolution strategies on their own (extraordinary) merit… I think in this instance, the face of DuBois’ history, experience, and hard-won expertise contributes exponentially (and synergistically) to the Powerful Peace experience.
Therefore, I’d like to share a few personal observations, notes and experiences from my own relationship with Rob… things you won’t pick up from the book, or socmedia… with the intent of helping better explain the man behind Powerful Peace.
These are in no particular order, by the way…
Rob loves trails, lakes and rivers. The northern forest environment is definitely his prime element.
He’s truly amazed by the gift of children. ALL children. It’s really something to behold.
Speaking of kids… Rob does some pretty snappy cheerleading choreography. His routines are legendary.
Like me, Rob struggles greatly with restraint versus evil. Personally, I hand-pick my friends to be certain they share this trait.
Without sounding overly-dramatic, Rob would rather “die right” than live wrong. Many men talk that game… Rob earnestly “lives it”. And he makes it look easy.
Rob’s inner-fire BURNS to fundamentally impact/change/reduce the horrific human-toll taken by fear, intolerance, and ignorance.
For those with questions regarding Rob’s SEAL exploits… much is still classified… but he did “chart the beach” for the post 9-11 invasion of Afghanistan. (Regarded within our community as the most significant hydro recon since, well… God made the seven seas)
And yeah, he’s a Black belt, extremely weps proficient, and speaks more languages than the UN.
All kidding aside, the thing I take away from my friendship (and brotherhood) with Rob DuBois that’s most meaningful is simply this… He lives, leads, and respects BY EXAMPLE. He instills an innate desire for others to WANT to better their person. I can think of no greater gift…
~ Maximus Venator
…..motivating……..