Supporting Our Veterans

November 11, 2014 by Raul Colon

Coming from a family of veterans makes veterans day a special one.

Both of my grandfathers were in the U.S. Army. My uncle Reynaldo Rosado served for almost 4 decades in the Puerto Rico National Guard. In 2003 he was the highest ranking officer from the Puerto Rico National Guard in the the Combat Theater.

My best friend and brother from another mother Alex Burgos has served two tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq. Alex has to be the most condecorated veteran in my family. Alex won many awards for bravery in the battlefield as a Sapper and combat engineer.

313296_10150394300837348_1155273193_n Supporting Our Veterans — Circa 1998 – Fort Knox, KY

17 Years Ago

A few days ago on November 5th, marked 17 years of when I decided to enlist and join the U.S. Army.

I was 17 years old when I enlisted and did I not know what I was getting into. I was lucky enough to get out a little over 8 years later without going into combat.

Seeing the wounds and scars are veterans come back with is something I feared the most. Those combat wounds that are not visible not only affect the veterans but affect their families.

Supporting our Vets

I am always thinking of ways of supporting our veterans. Yesterday our client Nicko from Uncle Gussy’s decided to offer a free meal for Veterans in his food truck.

I went into my old photos of visiting DC on memorial day in 2005. I found one so we could share on Instagram and Facebook so we could promote how Uncle Gussy’s supports veterans on a special day. Nicko does many things for his community and he keeps quiet about it. It’s great that today I get to tell others on how he is giving back.

Supporting Our Homeless Vets

On my last trip to Chicago this summer I remember walking by some veterans who were homeless. I did as much as I could at that moment for one. I hope it made his day.

My friend Mark Horvath does this everyday supporting veterans who are homeless and getting them into homes.

Mark walks the streets of the U.S. seeking how to share the story of those who are homeless. Many of those he features are veterans who after returning for combat ended up in the streets.

So today you can Thank all the veterans you want. I suggest you also find a way to support organizations like InvisiblePeople.tv. Mark keeps veterans off the streets and back to the lives they deserve.

Make a Donation

I will make my donation and I invite you to stop and skip 1 or 2 coffees at your favorite place to support our homeless veterans.

What Other Ways Can We Support

To My Veteran Friends I thank you for your service and let me know how else I can support you. Share in the comments or contact me directly.

When will the mental health of veterans become a priority

April 3, 2014 by Raul Colon

As I read the sad news about the Fort Hood shooting, I look at it from the lens of how the military still does not consider certain internal injuries which can affect a veterans state of mind, as something critical to treat.

I remember just before my daughter was born around 2010, I was driving on my way from my Uncle’s Jorge’s home near the Outer Banks on the east coast of North Carolina towards the Raleigh airport, and I was listening to NPR. One of the topics being discussed was how commanders were denying the purple heart for those injured in combat with no visible injuries.

As I drove and heard the multiple stories of soldiers who were denied the Purple Heart, even though their injury would affect them for the rest of their lives, it really broke my heart. I have been around enough veterans having served in the military myself, to understand that many of the most horrific experiences veterans keep are those memories from traumatic situations.

Fast Forward and Guidelines have been changed

Apparently the military has clarified what an injury is to include certain brain injuries experienced during combat.

Second Shooting in Fort Hood

Last night I contacted a few friends who live in Killeen, TX just outside of Fort Hood to make sure they where ok. At that moment I received information that the shooter was apparently originally from Guayanilla, the town next door to my hometown of Ponce.

This immediately made me think of the many (especially folks here on the Island) that will make remarks of the fact that the soldier was allegedly from Puerto Rico. Many will focus on his nationality instead of looking at the bigger problem which is the fact that every veteran no matter what background, ethnicity, or nationality might need more help than what they are being offered.

We need to take better care of our veterans

Many like the press blame the combat veteran. Some like me think of what crossed soldiers mind when he decided to take those actions. I can very easily put the blame on how poorly the Military deals with its injured veterans.

I don’t know the story of Ivan Lopez and I wish someone would have cared enough to help him get out of that terrible state which put him and other service members at risk.

I can get angry at Ivan who ended his life for reasons he could only understand or I can share a bit of my thoughts and shine a light one more time on how our combat veterans are sometimes forgotten.

Talking about a Difficult Subject

We have lost more veterans lives outside of combat in the past years due to suicide than any other threat. My good friend Joseph Harrell acted in and produced a movie named, Happy New Year, which shines a light on the biggest problem the U.S. has with its veterans.

JOSEPH HARRELL (USMC) discusses the importance of HAPPY NEW YEAR from Happy New Year Film on Vimeo.

A few days ago I saw this video by Dr. Mike Haynie , Executive Director of Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, where he shares some interesting facts on the issues our veterans are facing and the obvious lack of support for them. Take the 12 minutes and it will truly change the way you see the topic.

Helping Our Homeless Veterans

I look at my friend Mark Horvath who works directly with keeping our homeless veterans off the streets and getting them into housing and I admire him for what he does. Mark is a good friend and every time I talk with him I see his dedication and passion with huge hurdles he has to overcome.

Before we Jump to Conclusions

So before we start jumping to conclusions, look at how the Military’s own system puts their own at risk. The U.S. Military and Government rather keep on moving forward leaving those behind who have given their best.

My condolences to the families of the other service members that were affected. My respect to each service member who goes out to combat and risks his life to realize he was probably more at risk back home than in a combat zone.

Do our veterans deserve to end up on the streets? Should our veterans feel that the last resort is taking someone’s life or their own?

You can do something about it

Let’s take this opportunity to help those creating awareness take the time to either rent or buy the movie, Happy New Year, and share it with others.

Make a donation to Mark Hovarth’s efforts so he can continue helping those veterans who have been left behind. Instead of just grieving because of another tragedy, let’s take some action and take care of our veterans.

Are people really supporting the troops?

To the Veterans

November 11, 2013 by Raul Colon

When I was 17 I made the decision to join the military and to this day I clearly did not understand very well what I was getting into. There where a few things that motivated my enlistment and one of them was following in the steps of my Uncle Rey and both my Grandfathers who served in the military.

Following in My Uncle Rey’s and Grandfathers’ Footsteps

As a kid I use to dream of becoming a soldier especially since my uncle Rey had served in the military for a few decades. When he finally went to combat he was a Lt. Colónel and was the highest ranking Puerto Rico National Guard officer inside the combat theatre.

My uncle left shortly after his tour in Iraq where I guess he served around 34+ years in the National Guard. Once I saw he left it also kept me away from re-enlisting.\

Both my grandfathers also served in the military. My grandfather on my Dad’s side was thrown out of the military because he stood up the racism and unjust treatment Puerto Rican Soldiers received. To this day I admire the stance that my Grandfather Ignacio took. He was so hurt by the situation even when it was decided that he was entitled to veterans benefits given they had enough evidence to prove that how he was treated was unfair, it is my understanding he turned them away. I have tried to ask him about his service and it is a subject he steers clear from.

My Closest Friend and Brother in a Combat Zone Again

For the past 10 months I have tried to steer clear from getting any news on Afghanistan. My best friend and brother of another mother Alex Burgos was serving in a combat zone in Afghanistan (his second tour in Afghanistan). For me no news is good news, and I also was confident in Alex’s training as a soldier but more importantly an awesome leader and commitment for his team.

One thing I learned from Alex on this deployment was that he was in combat for the third time primarily to make sure his team and brothers in arms would come back safely. I congratulate Alex for doing an awesome job. But I would be lying if say I was not worried during the 9 months since I was on the list to be notified if anything happened to him.

The Combat Risks

We all step outside our doors and don’t know how much time we have on this earth. A soldier steps into the battlefield and knows there is a higher probability for them to get hurt or injured. I have soldiers who I served with who were injured in combat like Jose Rodriguez Soba who was injured in Combat, received the purple heart and I communicate with still on facebook. He is truly an example to follow such a positive attitude towards even after the struggles him and his family have gone through.

I’m glad all my friends that were recently in combat zones returned safely to their families especially Carlos Gonzalez (my buddy while in the military), Deb Hancock (was my Military Instructor now a good friend), Luis Diou (Long time Friend) and Luis Javier Ramos (our neighbor for the four years we lived in Coamo). I am sending positive vibes to my buddy Robert Delirah who is currently in Afghanistan and I am anxiously waiting for his safe return.

A Lesson from Veterans

During my time in the military I met veterans not only from the U.S. Army but from the many other countries we had an opportunity to train with.

One thing I learned from all of them was how War was cold and ugly. Combat veterans usually have scars that are not seeing and easily forgotten by those who don’t dig deep enough to understand them.

Let’s Do something for the Veteran’s

Today I see how there is a veteran’s day sale and how people commemorate them. But then all I have to do is quickly browse over to Mark Hovarth’s website and see that so many veterans are not only misunderstood but they are forgotten on the streets to fend off on their own.

You would have thought that in 2013 especially when the U.S. has been at war for over a decade veterans would be taken care off a bit better. But the reality is that there is still much to do.

Instead of complaining about what is still to be done I rather have you help me in donating even $5 to someone who helps veterans every day.

Stop by Invisiblepeople.tv and help my buddy Mark Hovarth to get those veterans who are still on the streets a roof over their head.

It’s great that you posted a picture, wrote a message, and congratulated our veterans but a small sacrifice for some of us can mean a whole deal to a veterans sleeping in the streets.

To my veteran friends and family Thank you for your service.

Now skip a Latte or two and donate in the name of veterans.

May all those Serving Return Back Safely.

May those that return get the support they need for the sacrifice they made.

Alex-return-home To the Veterans — Welcome Back Alex!

Honoring The Fallen!

May 26, 2012 by Raul Colon

The first time Lucy and I visited D.C. was in 2005 on Memorial Day weekend.

We reached D.C. at 4pm and walked for hours. We finally gave up bit over midnight and decided to head back to the hotel.

On Saturday we woke up as early trying to do as much as our short visit would allow us.

I wanted to go visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was a priority for me because while in Army basic training one of my Drill Sergeants had been a Sentinel (3^rd US Infantry Regiment) a small group of soldiers (less than 550) that since 1937 have guarded the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 24/7.

Rolling Thunder

While walking we noticed the sound of thousands of Bikes or better said”Rolling Thunder“.

Rolling Thunder is made up of people who travel from all over the globe to D.C. to honor the fallen by riding there bikes. I was impressed by the logistics on how all of these bikers where coordinating their entrance into Arlington Cemetery.

We arrived into the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier when Rolling Thuder was having a ceremony laying down flowers in memory of the fallen. I was also very impressed with the Sentinel’s precision while patrolling the tomb.

One of our next stops was area where they had artists making representations of the fallen service members from Iraq and Afghanistan. I would have never guessed the emotions that would take over me that afternoon. As I walked over to commemorate those fallen soldiers by observing the art and getting to know more about them I realize how much in common I had with many of them.

More Pictures on My Flickr Set

I had just turned 25, almost 8 years after enlisting in the Army at the age of 17. I was lucky enough that I enlisted and my contract ended just when the Iraq and Afghanistan war needed more personnel.

When I look at the average age of the fallen they where mostly younger than me. I finally broke down into tears when I approached an area where I identified images of servicemen from Puerto Rico. Someone had been nice enough to place a flag over each picture. It really shocked me that an island of approximately 4 million people with limited rights as citizens had a higher proportion of flags than any other territory.

Looking into a few more pictures, I realized I had known one of the reservists who died in combat. I could not contain myself and it took me quite some time to stop crying (I confess that as I am writing just the memory of that moment made me drop a tear or two).

It could have been Me

I had never lost control of myself by crying in a public place as an adult in front of strangers (who where mostly sharing the same emotions as I was). There I was having a blast that weekend and enjoying my time, learning about history, eating well, drinking, and I realize that I could have been any of those service members who an artist painted in memory of them.

Out of gratitude from that moment on I make sure that every Memorial Day I do something for a service member or their families. I make it a purpose by commemorating the fallen.

Make it your Priority Too

So while you have your BBQ’s think of a few things you can do for those veterans that are still around us.

Here are a 3 quick and easy suggestions:

Donate to the Fisher House an organization helping military families in many ways.
Donate to Invisible People my Friend Mark Hovarth does a great job creating awareness of veterans who are homeless. Look at Jimmy’s and Paul’s Story.
Donate Your Airline Miles.
- More info here http://fisherhouse.org/programs/hero-miles.

Most Importantly make some time to learn about those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

It’s not about Money. Patience is your most important asset.

February 5, 2012 by Raul Colon

The past few months have been very challenging since I have not brought my business where I want it to be and assuring myself that I have to trust my gut feeling can get complicated when you have a family to feed and bills to pay and the Money is just not coming in.

It’s not about Money; Patience is your most important asset.

On the other side it is easy to give up when you are not seeing results quickly but over time and after running my own business over the past 3-½ years I have learned that Patience is an asset that can be lost easily. Patience most be nurtured every day. I have been working on it seems I like to react when my intuition tells me something is wrong. I also like to make on spot corrections where I see a fault but this can drain you of energy especially when you are around people that don’t truly want to better themselves or the environment around them.

I had the opportunity the previous march to meet Gary Vaynerchuk at SXSWi and talk with him for a few minutes at the Samsung Bloggers Lounge. I also got a signed copy of his book Thank You Economy and out of the many interesting successful people I have met I have to say he is one the few, that just like my good friend Chris Brogan, you can feel he cares about others.

Last night looking at my Google Plus I found this video Gary shared where I agree on many of this thoughts when it comes to being in entrepreneurial mindset.

Can’t See Video Click Here

The past week has been evidence of what I really believe in and Gary is speaking about very clearly in the previous video. I find it curious how Gary created this video based on all the emails he received of questions entrepreneurs ask him so they can move on and be successful. If you watch the video I interpreted how Gary breaks down his advice in a very practical way.

Confidence

You need to be confident of what you are doing and go with your gut feeling. Like Gary said there is no Lost in Going for it.

Many years ago when I was in the Army Reserve Drill Sergeant school during the second phase I had one of my instructors who clearly called me out and her words pretty much changed how I approached life from that moment off.

Drill Sgt. Instructor Deb Hancock congratulated me on doing an awesome job at the task at hand but seconds later told me that I needed to adjust the way I reacted because I was so confident in everything I did that other people where perceiving it as if I was cocky.

Reality was that everything I do I give it my best and at that moment although I had lost my interest in being in the Military I was still giving it my best when others where just dragging their feet and calling me out because I was celebrating my wins. I thank Deb Hancock for giving me such great advice which I have applied since and almost 8 years later I keep it in the back of my head to control how I show my passion (I am still working on it) towards everything I get involved in.

Thick Skin

At that time remember I was 23 and a lot younger than most of the folks training with me. For some reason that made me celebrate what I had accomplished in a wrong way. Like Gary states in the video we evolve and get better, when I was 23 and younger I was clearly concerned on what others would think of me. Over the years I have gotten better on staying focused on the tasks at hand. I also have situations where I might lose track and I have Lucy (@lucymfel) and friends that remind me that I need to keep working on my goals.

Working Your ASS Off

I work ridiculous hours and many people might think I am crazy. Some might even go to the extreme of telling me I am not enjoying my life. In that case I don’t care because it is in my genetics. Two of my brothers (Luis and Javier -@javierrcolon), My dad (Don Tito), my Uncle’s (Tito and Rey), my best childhood friend Alex, and other good friends like Moises and Rick also work very long hours. I never see them complaining about missing out on a party, working on a Friday night, or missing out on a holiday. I usually see the opposite in them talking about the next thing they will be working on.

I surround myself around people that are constantly creating and working towards their goals. In my case my normal weeks involve at least working 70 hours when many think they did a full week with 40 hours. Yes I would love to work only 40 hours but when I am not getting the results I want I have to work at lot harder at it.

So if you think that working hard for 70 hours a week is not living life take a look at the people around you that work fewer hours and are always complaining on how crappy their job and life is.

Sticking To It

I have had a tough 2011 and the past few months have been harder. My hardest job is keeping myself focused even when I am not able to see results. It takes lots of patience and discipline to keep on going when things in the surface don’t look right. A few months ago I was invited by Joe Sorge (@joesorge), someone I consider to be very successful business owner, to the Kitchen Table Talks show. He wanted me to talk about how I Stick with Things and don’t give up. People like Joe and my other good friend and business partner Rob Hatch @robhatch remind me that sticking with will pay off in the long run.

Celebrating and Sharing Results

This past week I have seen results on many aspects. I was able to land a sponsorship (I will be mentioning the sponsor soon) to go to SXSWi in helping me cover the cost of the Badge, Airfare, and a few other expenses. I still have a few more sponsor packages if anyone is interested in supporting my trip feel free to reach out.

My team and business partners at Human Business Works are in the process of closing and winning a project in Europe helping some folks with Social and Online presence. I have also gotten many replies from a few leads that seem to want my help on a few other projects.

As I am finally seeing the results of the many weeks of hard work, I take the opportunity to thank each and everyone of you that has kept my spirits up by supporting me in many ways (saying hi, sharing a post, commenting on a post, or just sending us good vibes).

What things are going well on your side make sure you celebrate each and every win (no matter how small it is)?

How can you lose the fear in loosing and come out swinging in spirits to hit a home run?