No One Should Ever Stand Alone

As veterans, we know the power of community—even when we don’t always realize it. Think back to basic training. They took us as individuals, balled us up into one big wrinkled mess, and reshaped us into warriors. We fought, trained, and survived together. But then the uniform comes off, and many of us try to walk this life alone.

It doesn’t work.

The truth is, Rambos don’t exist in the real world. Even the most rugged mountain men of history—the legends—had their tribes. Grizzly Adams had more than a bear; he had people. Community isn’t just a nice idea; it’s a necessity.

For us as veterans, community takes many forms. It’s family. It’s faith. And perhaps most importantly, it’s each other—the veteran community. But here’s the thing: finding your place isn’t as hard as it sometimes feels. We tend to isolate ourselves, thinking we don’t belong. But the truth? There’s always room for one more at the table.

This holiday season, take a moment to reflect on the people around you. If you feel alone, reach out. You aren’t as isolated as you might think. And for those of you who already have a tribe, I challenge you: find the ones who are still standing on the edges. Bring them in.

No one should ever stand alone. Not in this life, and especially not during the holidays.

See you out there.