It is Veterans Day. These are thoughts from the last year. I have been with UFC Star Rich Franklin and the American Fighter team on many visits for the troops. As the business manager for Rich and American Fighter I have, make that WE have been honored to see, visit and befriend many of the bravest people who have EVER walked this earth. This past weekend Rich and I visited the Center for the Intrepid at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. We have visited Walter Reed, Bethesda and many other Veterans hospitals before. This day was different. This was one of the first times that I really noticed just how young these heroes are. Rich was invited to play dodge ball with the troops.
 
    As they moved about the outdoor court in wheelchairs and with prosthetic limbs, you couldn’t help to notice the spirit the troops had. How they joked back and forth and kidded each other and Rich about getting put out. However, I noticed how the hurt was still on their faces at times. I started to understand that these young men and women, just a few short years ago, were walking down the aisle to receive their high school diplomas. They walked on that graduation day on their own two feet. Just a few short years ago they were playing dodge ball in gym class….with all of their limbs, with no burns over their young bodies, with no limp, with no scars from a blast or shot that changed their life forever. FOREVER.
 
    On this warm Saturday morning these young men and women were playing dodge ball, not for fun, although it was fun, but they played for therapy. They played so that they could learn how to walk and move on the six million dollar man type limbs that had replaced the God-given real thing that had been blown off by a blast of hate.
 
    As we walked around the hospital that day and met the troops that have had their lives changed, I thought to myself, “There is no way in Hell I am brave enough to put my life on the line like that.” That is an honest thought. That is reality. The reality is also that I enjoy the freedoms I have because some young person like we saw Saturday wasn’t afraid to lay it on the line. The risk is amazing..the reward is our freedom.
 
    It is not just this generation, but many generations that have produced young brave men and women that have fought for OUR freedom. We were given a ride in a B-25 bomber from WWII. The courage it took to fly those planes in combat is unbelievable. It was scary enough to just ride in one. Every generation has it’s heroes. They are more than worthy of our thanks…That is not near enough…Thanks? How do you express that?  Rich heard on more than on occasion this weekend “Thanks for coming.” They were standing there thanking us. No Sir. We must thank you. Not with words that will be gone soon after they leave our lips, but with substance. Investing in future heroes. Giving something that makes a REAL difference to these REAL AMERICAN FIGHTERS.
 
     If you are thankful for your freedom. I invite you to do more than give lip service to these men and women. Rich Franklin and American Fighter in partnership with the Disabled American Veterans have created the REAL AMERICAN FIGHTERS program to raise money to help hospitals like the Center for the Intrepid to provide care and six million dollar man type arms and legs for the ones who had theirs stolen by war. Purchase the DAV/Real American Fighters special shirt right now and invest in a hero. It is your freedom….they paid the price. They say “Paybacks are hell.” Not true…War is hell…payback is our duty. Support the Real American Fighters.   http://www.americanfighter.com/store/product/special-edition-af-dav-never-accept-defeat-tshirt/384.oa
 
J.T. Stewart
American Fighter Management
Rich Franklin LLC
www.americanfighter.com