This is a paid release.
Ranger School. He tossed the idea on the table as casually as someone might toss a
deck of cards. Murph, as his buddies called him, had been advancing in the army, and I
assumed this was just the next step. His humble nature never felt compelled to enlighten my
overt unawareness. After a two month absence, Murph called and asked me to set up
manicure appointments for both of us upon his arrival home, and I laughed! Manicures?! What
a way to celebrate a successful Ranger School completion! My first sight of Murph, however,
stopped the laughter dead in its tracks. He had lost at least thirty pounds; his eyes were black
and weary; his hands were cut, scabbed, scarred. His nailbeds were raw and blistered, as if he
had run his fingers under an electric sander. His knuckles were hammered. The manicure
appointment wasn’t a celebration; it was an effort to salvage his hands. Ranger School was no
joke. Less than half of those that enter graduate; those that make it out carry battle scars. The
purpose of Ranger School is to train soldiers in how to correctly engage the enemy in close
combat and direct fire battles. Apparently that entails three hours of sleep at night and one
meal a day in addition to the training. I feel certain the proverb, ‘What doesn’t kill you makes
you stronger,’ was written by a Ranger School graduate. Murph went on to earn the title
Lieutenant Colonel where he courageously led a battalion of hundreds of men. He served (and
still serves!) our country because he believes fiercely in freedom, loyalty, and human rights. His
beautiful wife and three children now live free because of his sacrifices, and we, as citizens who
are sometimes overtly unaware, owe our lives to him!
Oddly enough, in all of Murph’s deployments, he never shared much about his trips
overseas, though not for lack of asking. At first, I thought his minimal conversation on the
subject was an effort to protect himself. In later years, I decided his silence was an effort to
protect his friendships. I had no clear understanding of what Murph had to suffer, and perhaps
not the capacity to handle it if he did share. He understood this. The difficult experiences of a
soldier can only truly be understood with empathy by another soldier. The organization V.E.T.
recognized the deep need for brotherhood after deployment and created Veterans.
Empowered. Together. The nonprofit hosts numerous opportunities for solders to convene and
remember lost friends, reminisce, and heal hurt from the aftermath of war. Additionally,
members of V.E.T. generously volunteer within our community! Ever heard of Kentucky
Remembers? Need ideas for how to show gratitude to our local soldiers? Please reach out! We
owe them our freedom and our lives! Watch Episode Nine at https://youtu.be/Bl3BZDgbfFo?si=vXhjs_azojlZScoV
For more information, contact Kentuckyremembers.org AND veteransempoweredtogether.com
Project Volunteer TV Series is produced by Volunteer Owensboro and is broadcast on 5 TV
networks nationwide. Watch all 4 seasons now at www.ProjectVolunteer.org. We would like to
thank WKWC 90.3 for broadcasting the audio versions of the episodes and Cromwell Media for
helping promote the shows.
