Yesterday, we assisted a group of future U.S. Army officers (University ROTC Cadets) for a professional development climb up Gold Star Peak.
There is a little more to the story than just that. This was also an important lesson for these future leaders to hear first hand a few stories of the service and sacrifices other leaders and families before them have made. For some, it was also the first time they learned that their Assistant Professor of Military Science is also a Gold Star Sister.
It wasn’t easy for her to step forward and talk about her brother in front of her students, but she understood the importance and impact it would have on them and quite possibly something they will face when they become leaders. She was absolutely right and did a wonderful job doing so, we saw it in their faces on summit while she spoke, we could see the effect it had on them all. It wasn’t just the tough climb to the summit, it was them hearing her emotional first hand experience about the loss her brother which was the toughest part but also so very important for these future leaders to witness.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of your tough but important lesson.
Please, say his name: Sergeant Eric M. Paul