If a 17-Year-Old Marine Endured Fire, Sharks, and Five Days Alone in the Dark… We Can Endure...and Defeat...the Fascist Tide Rising in Our Own Country.
I do remember hearing about that brave sailor. Fortunately we are not even close to having to endure something like that. He would probably think what we have to do is just a walk in the park compared to what many other people have had to do.
Yes, Linn! What that young Marine endured...is so far beyond anything we’re being asked to face....that it almost rearranges your sense of scale.
If he could survive fire...sharks...dehydration...and five days in the open ocean… he’d look at our moment and say, “You’ve got this. Stand firm. Do your part.”
That’s the whole point of telling his story.
Not to scare people...but to remind us that we’re not being asked to do the impossible. We’re being asked to stay awake...stay engaged...stay connected...and refuse to let authoritarianism take root.
Compared to what he faced...it is a walk in the park.
But it still requires courage...and you’ve already got that in you.
Thanks for being here and staying in the fight with me!
A miraculous reminder of how we can and WILL do this. I have a roof over my head and am not in need of food. I’m not suffering anything near what this courageous, unyielding young man endured. I have friends who are like-minded. We are not amongst the brain-washed but can strive for unity. One day at a time. Thank you for this dose of what we CAN DO.
Exactly, Jane B, and you captured the heart of it...perfectly.
When you stack our moment...next to what that young Marine endured...the perspective hits you hard. We have shelter. We have food. We have community. We have tools...voices...and each other. And most of all...we still have the freedom to fight back... openly.
He had none of that.
Just a life jacket...a prayer...and a refusal to quit.
Yet he held on.
And that’s why his story matters now...it snaps us out of despair and reminds us we’re not powerless...we’re not alone...and we’re not facing anything close...to what countless people before us have survived.
You’re right...one day at a time.
One action at a time.
One voice...joined to another.
That’s how democracies are defended.
Thank you for being one of the people who’s leaning in...instead of checking out. We will do this.
He really does, Rae...that smile says everything about the kind of spirit it takes...to outlast darkness. A reminder that resilience...isn’t just grit… it’s choosing hope even after the worst.
I’m glad the story landed for you.
Tonight’s post is going to build right on that same energy...strength...clarity...and what we can do in the here and now.
Enjoy the sunshine while it’s here...bundle up when the cold rolls in...and we’ll be right here when you get back.
See you later...and thanks for being part of this fight with us!
A great story of survival Jack. We are all more capable & resilient than we know. Another amazing story of survival is about Louis Zamperini. The book & movie Unbroken is based on his story. As a side note- I had a “Jack Hopkins “ impersonator follow me on Substack. I reported & blocked him.
Thank you for this story; a reminder, a reality check, an acknowledgement of what so many before us had to face, and today what so many others must face, that we lose sight of. It also throws further light on the depravity of these fascists and their inability to live in harmony with others, and to appreciate all they have to be grateful for and that no one is trying to take away. But they are incapable of knowing when enough is good enough. For them, obscene amounts of money, power, wealth, is never enough. They are sick and unwell people who are incapable of working with others across a spectrum for common solutions to problems we all face.
Great story and wonderful parallel sentiment. Thank you. On another note, did you ever post the mindfulness meditation? I’ve been looking for it, but perhaps I missed it.
Jack . . . I didn't know about that. And I don't know why I didn't. Thank you so much. Do you remember "The Little Engine That Could."? From "I think I can" to "I knew I could," Not quite as awe inspiring as Harrell's adventure but same determination. I can remember as a very young student being so impressed by that story. It just now popped into my head. What a wonderful celebration when we the people are able to say, "We knew we could!" I like to think that Watty Piper's incredible little book may have influenced 17-year-old Edgar Harrell as he faced the impossible.
This story makes me miss my dad who died when I was 16 and too young to know what to ask about his WW II experiences and when he was shot in Germany that cause hi to be a paraplegic. My mother could not answer those questions and I wonder if he was like alot of vets from that war that did not want to talk about it. This man that was a boy was beyond courageous. War is never good and it causes so much pain and suffering. I do not want to see us get into a war that is catastrophic because of the orange menace in the white house. His new suggestion is to just give the people the cash so they chose their own health insurance...He has no concept that the ACA is for people that can not afford regular insurance so that would be of no help to them ...Plus if you give people cash like that they will find another place to spend it...
.I remember reading of this USS Indianapolis and the disaster at sea including all who died not from wounds, but sharks. Even though many were lost in the wait for rescue, truly they didn’t give up either, the shark just happened to win that moment. Courage comes from the tough experiences and the choice made during the options in front of us. I choose victory and repelling the bully/fascist. We will not cede our country, our US Constitution to a wannabe dictator ! Thanks for the reminder of how to be braver than we think we are. Semper Fi!
I do remember hearing about that brave sailor. Fortunately we are not even close to having to endure something like that. He would probably think what we have to do is just a walk in the park compared to what many other people have had to do.
Yes, Linn! What that young Marine endured...is so far beyond anything we’re being asked to face....that it almost rearranges your sense of scale.
If he could survive fire...sharks...dehydration...and five days in the open ocean… he’d look at our moment and say, “You’ve got this. Stand firm. Do your part.”
That’s the whole point of telling his story.
Not to scare people...but to remind us that we’re not being asked to do the impossible. We’re being asked to stay awake...stay engaged...stay connected...and refuse to let authoritarianism take root.
Compared to what he faced...it is a walk in the park.
But it still requires courage...and you’ve already got that in you.
Thanks for being here and staying in the fight with me!
-Jack
A miraculous reminder of how we can and WILL do this. I have a roof over my head and am not in need of food. I’m not suffering anything near what this courageous, unyielding young man endured. I have friends who are like-minded. We are not amongst the brain-washed but can strive for unity. One day at a time. Thank you for this dose of what we CAN DO.
Exactly, Jane B, and you captured the heart of it...perfectly.
When you stack our moment...next to what that young Marine endured...the perspective hits you hard. We have shelter. We have food. We have community. We have tools...voices...and each other. And most of all...we still have the freedom to fight back... openly.
He had none of that.
Just a life jacket...a prayer...and a refusal to quit.
Yet he held on.
And that’s why his story matters now...it snaps us out of despair and reminds us we’re not powerless...we’re not alone...and we’re not facing anything close...to what countless people before us have survived.
You’re right...one day at a time.
One action at a time.
One voice...joined to another.
That’s how democracies are defended.
Thank you for being one of the people who’s leaning in...instead of checking out. We will do this.
-Jack
Exactly…. (linking arms…)
Perfect, CJ!
-Jack
I choose democracy over authoritarian fascism. Nothing will ever change that. We will win.
Simple choice. Powerful choice. Yes, Robert...we will.
-Jack
And he still has that wonderful smile.
Great story. Looking forward to tonight’s post. Sun is shining now, but cold weather’s coming. Gotta run out for a bit.
See y’all later,
He really does, Rae...that smile says everything about the kind of spirit it takes...to outlast darkness. A reminder that resilience...isn’t just grit… it’s choosing hope even after the worst.
I’m glad the story landed for you.
Tonight’s post is going to build right on that same energy...strength...clarity...and what we can do in the here and now.
Enjoy the sunshine while it’s here...bundle up when the cold rolls in...and we’ll be right here when you get back.
See you later...and thanks for being part of this fight with us!
-Jack
Nowhere else I’d rather be.
A great story of survival Jack. We are all more capable & resilient than we know. Another amazing story of survival is about Louis Zamperini. The book & movie Unbroken is based on his story. As a side note- I had a “Jack Hopkins “ impersonator follow me on Substack. I reported & blocked him.
Thank you for this story; a reminder, a reality check, an acknowledgement of what so many before us had to face, and today what so many others must face, that we lose sight of. It also throws further light on the depravity of these fascists and their inability to live in harmony with others, and to appreciate all they have to be grateful for and that no one is trying to take away. But they are incapable of knowing when enough is good enough. For them, obscene amounts of money, power, wealth, is never enough. They are sick and unwell people who are incapable of working with others across a spectrum for common solutions to problems we all face.
Great story and wonderful parallel sentiment. Thank you. On another note, did you ever post the mindfulness meditation? I’ve been looking for it, but perhaps I missed it.
Thank you. Inspiring. Going to pin this one.
Jack . . . I didn't know about that. And I don't know why I didn't. Thank you so much. Do you remember "The Little Engine That Could."? From "I think I can" to "I knew I could," Not quite as awe inspiring as Harrell's adventure but same determination. I can remember as a very young student being so impressed by that story. It just now popped into my head. What a wonderful celebration when we the people are able to say, "We knew we could!" I like to think that Watty Piper's incredible little book may have influenced 17-year-old Edgar Harrell as he faced the impossible.
Thank you, Jack!
This story makes me miss my dad who died when I was 16 and too young to know what to ask about his WW II experiences and when he was shot in Germany that cause hi to be a paraplegic. My mother could not answer those questions and I wonder if he was like alot of vets from that war that did not want to talk about it. This man that was a boy was beyond courageous. War is never good and it causes so much pain and suffering. I do not want to see us get into a war that is catastrophic because of the orange menace in the white house. His new suggestion is to just give the people the cash so they chose their own health insurance...He has no concept that the ACA is for people that can not afford regular insurance so that would be of no help to them ...Plus if you give people cash like that they will find another place to spend it...
.I remember reading of this USS Indianapolis and the disaster at sea including all who died not from wounds, but sharks. Even though many were lost in the wait for rescue, truly they didn’t give up either, the shark just happened to win that moment. Courage comes from the tough experiences and the choice made during the options in front of us. I choose victory and repelling the bully/fascist. We will not cede our country, our US Constitution to a wannabe dictator ! Thanks for the reminder of how to be braver than we think we are. Semper Fi!