Service to Wounded Veterans

Today I had the most interesting conversation with an U.S. Navy (SEALs) Officer named Eric Greitens; that runs an organization called the Center for Citizen Leadership. They are a non-profit organization that helps wounded combat veterans transition back into civilian life through monetary fellowships that allow them to volunteer for three months at a charity of their choice. The veteran then uses that experience and time to find what it is that they truly want to do in the civilian world, whether that be to go back to, work for the charity, go back to school, or try something else. Ultimately it is a bridge between the military and the civilian life in a way that benefits all of society.

I have to first say, I felt very honoured to have 20 mins of this great man's time. He is not only a warrior, but also a scholar (PH.D in Politics from Oxford University). The ancient Greek historian Thucydides wrote more than 2500 years ago:

"The society that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting by fools."

Eric ably demonstrates that the warrior scholar is not myth. He goes further to show that military service and community service are one in the same. His organization is something that is needed here in Canada (see summary of this Senate report on wounded veterans:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5g3-1Ri9KIhBg2vZWCMiEcxj8eMzg

I am going to do at least part of the work to bring it here by introducing the concept to some influential military people that I know.