2016 Roll of Honor

Start Forward by Looking Back
​By Jim Kuiken

Welcome to a new year! I hope this year is a happy and successful (in whatever endeavor you like) year!

Photo Copyright: 123RF Stock Photo

​​As we move forward into this new year, just like we did last year I’d like to stop, look back and remember some of the best folks and moments, highlighted in this 2016 Roll of Honor.  Scroll through quickly and pick the ones you like…or take your time and look through them all.  Here they are:

True Strength – of character.  Always a good place to start.  2/4/16

Sacrifice, honor, courage – Besides having the true strength of gentleness, when called upon, selfless sacrifice is the test of character.  Here’s one example (of many).  3/25/16

​Humble and Kind – as shown by my sister Beth…no better role model.  4/20/16

​And THAT'S how it's done – Justice, tempered with compassion and understanding.  Judge Lou Olivera.  Good on ya, Judge.  4/25/16

​Forgotten Heroes – Take a look, they’re all around you.  5/18/16

​Those Who’ve Gone Before – Memorial Day, honoring those who gave all.  For me, this is the hardest day of the year, every year, and this tribute to all my fallen brothers and sisters brings the loss of each and every one of them back to me.  I miss you guys…  Every.  Single.  Day.  5/30/16

​Good Friends and Memories – especially check out Brian’s comment below the pics…about “running to set up tents”…  Jarheads.  Gotta love ‘em.  6/10/16

​Quotes – Thought bites.  A window to your character.  Here are mine, what are your favorite quotes?  6/29/16

​Freedom – my Service Dog.  Much more than just a ‘pet’, he’s an extension of me, like my leg or arm, and is one of the best parts of my life.  Here are a couple more links about him, and ​SD’s in general.  7/4/16

​Sergeant Major Rudy Wieners – A true warrior, Marine Force Recon, highly decorated and combat wounded veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam!  Semper Fi, Marine.  7/4/16

Captain Dale Dye – Combat Marine, Actor, Writer, and all-around great guy.  Glad to call him a friend.  See his post on The 2000 Yard Stare, from someone who’s been there, and is still helping get the word out.  9/1/16

Pipe Hitters Union MC – Archangels – A band of brothers that stand for what’s right, regardless…and who help many others through their charitable giving.  I’m proud to know them…and Freedom is an honorary Member.  9/17/16

National Parks – My son Mike, Freedom and I had a GREAT trip around the US, staying in several National (and local) Parks, as well as family, over 33 days and 9,108 miles…  You can click here to see the send-off, scroll through the FB page to see all the stops, or just see Freedom looking at some of the monuments here.  9/20/16 – 10/23/16

SFC Helyn Stowe – A multi-war (Gulf, Afghanistan, Iraq) combat wounded and decorated Soldier, earning the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals, who still gives of her time to mentor others, and spread the word.  I’m proud to call her a good friend, and her Service Dog Astro is a friend of Freedom’s!  10/2/16

​Janine Campbell – another friend, who published a fantastic book, honoring our American flag as The Pride of America, with some of the veterans who served under that flag.  11/1/16

​Cub Scouts of America – for taking the time to instill principals and life lessons in our upcoming generation of boys.  This lesson was on Service – as learned in the Cub Scouts…  11/9/16

​Givers – those that are thankful for what they have (not just ‘stuff’), and who take joy in the giving – of help, of things, and most of all, of their time.  12/21/16

And although it was from the beginning of the year, I saved this one for last…here’s to Looking Forward.  1/26/16