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I asked Lt. Col. Jason Galui, a retired military veteran and former National Security Council official for two presidents (Obama and Trump) and head of President George W. Bush's Veterans and Military Families Alliance, Thank you for all you do.'' The center responded that it was fine to acknowledge the service of veterans. But it's even better to talk to them. “I think there's a lot we can learn from veterans, really in terms of leadership. And I think the most important part of that leadership is the ability to inspire.”
The occasion for these remarks was the 10th annual Warrior Mountain Bike Ride hosted by former President and Commander-in-Chief George W. Bush at Prairie Chapel Ranch. I was interviewing Garui live on Fox News' “America's Newsroom” and he was explaining “check-ins.” This is a way for veterans with issues (often mental health issues) to literally check into the Bush Institute, and they were explaining how to do it, just like I was. Patients check in with me. The “Team 43” that emerged from this bike trip is characterized by an extensive network of veterans who help each other, literally help each other get back up when they fall.
Former Army Lt. Col. Melissa Stockwell (retired) told me in an interview during the run, “If it weren't for the people who literally got off their bikes and pushed me, I wouldn't still be walking that trail.'' I mean, talk about the team…life and here. ”
Melissa Stockwell of the U.S. team reacts to the U.S. flag during the women's PTS2 paratriathlon on day 5 of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games on September 2, 2024 on Pont Alexandre III in Paris, France. (Getty Images)
“We've all been through different but very similar situations,” Stockwell said. “We know what it's like. We want to be there for each other. As wounded veterans as part of Team 43 on these mountain bike trails, the camaraderie is , far beyond mountain bike trails… Whether you've experienced it or not, you really feel like family. Whether you've just met someone or you've known each other for 10 years, you automatically A bond is formed.”
Lt. Stockwell was the first American female soldier to lose a limb when her truck was hit by a roadside bomb during Operation Iraqi Freedom. She earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star and vowed not to let her injuries slow her down. In 2008, she became the first Iraq war veteran to qualify for the Paralympic Games. And in 2024, she won a bronze medal in a triathlon and avoided getting sick from contaminated water from the Seine in Paris.
This is what Garui meant when he said, “Listen to them.” Hearing Stockwell's story firsthand makes me admire her rather than worry about her. Her courage and fortitude come through strongly in President Bush's depiction of her in his 2017 book, “Portrait of Courage.”
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The former president also spoke to Staff Sergeant Spencer Milo, who suffered post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a 2008 attack on his gunner's truck in Iraq, as well as being later misdiagnosed with cancer. (retired) also painted. He was on the scene when a child suicide bomber exploded in Afghanistan in 2011. Immediately after being blown several meters by the explosion, he ran back to drag his platoon mates to safety. Milo said he suffered a more severe traumatic brain injury as a result. But when I interviewed him during this year's ride, there was literally no sign of injury. He worked for Higher Heroes USA, conducted traumatic brain injury research, worked at the Marcus Brain Health Institute, and most recently served as chief strategic officer for the Special Forces Charitable Trust, as many veterans have done. As a person, I have overcome this problem by helping others.
He says that the picture President Bush has painted of himself makes him look too good, better than he sees himself, but of course no better than we see him. “I've had plenty of reasons to quit in my life,” he told me in an interview during the ride. “I had so many reasons to give up, and I think what really changed things for me was my daughter…I think all of us in the military are always looking for the next mission. And Thankfully, I found my calling in helping others.”
When I learned about Spencer Milo's story, my admiration increased a thousand times. The words “Thank you for your service” seemed weak compared to his life's story of courage and service to others.
President Bush said it best when I interviewed him on a bike trip and I came to understand that I'm here to learn from war heroes and not the other way around. “Many of them were living in the dark when they returned from combat due to post-traumatic stress. They are all taking advantage of the resources available to them to better themselves. And , once you get better, turn around and help others…many people still have no idea what it was like after we were attacked in 2001. I stood up and said, “I want to serve.” And we're at the heart of the Bush because we're producing these people because they need help. others. ”
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Former President Bush feels we can learn great qualities from veterans in how we heal our own conflicts. “Let's look at religion. Religion is love. America is okay. It's a kind country. I mean, look at this.” [the bike ride]. People who volunteer to help strangers. That's kindness. And I think there are more kind people in our country than unkind people. You just have to find it, talk about it, and nurture it. ”
He ended the interview by hugging me. A message to America on Veterans Day.
Fox News Dallas Field Producer Lindsay Reese contributed to this article
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