Jocko Podcast - Memorial Day 2017: Don't Forget To Smile

Episode Date: May 28, 2017

Memorial Day, 2017.  Don't forget to smile.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content

I've heard it called a death letter, but I don't know if that is the actual name. I don't know if it has an actual name, but I do know what it is. It is something that soldiers sometimes write when they deploy into harm's way, and they put it with their gear or in a foot locker where it will be found or they give it to a friend to pass on in case they die a letter to the family they won't see again to mothers that gave them life to fathers that raised them to wives that they left at home to children they miss and in some cases cases to the children they've never even met. Goodbye letter with a title something like, in case I don't come home. Jesse Givens of Springfield, Missouri, those letters.

He wrote it to his wife, Melissa, and their son, Dakota, nicknamed Toad, and to their unborn son, nickname Bean. ultimately be named Carson and here is what he said in that letter in case he didn't come home my family I never thought I would be writing a letter like this I really don't know where to start I've been getting bad feelings though and well if you're reading this I am forever in debt to you Dakota and the bean I searched my life for a dream and I found it in you. I would like to think that I made a positive difference in your lives.

I will never be able to make up for the bad. I am so sorry. The happiest moments in my life all deal with my little family. I will always have with me the small moments we all shared. The moments when you quit taking life so seriously and smiled. the sounds of a beautiful boy's laughter or the simple nudge of a baby unborn you will never know how complete you have made me each and every one of you you saved me from loneliness and taught me how to think beyond myself you taught me how to live and to love you open my eyes to a world i never dreamed existed proud of you stay on the path you choose never lose sight of what is important you and our babies you are more son than I could ever ask for I can only hope I was half the dad I

used to be your Danny but no matter what it makes me proud that you chose me you taught me how to care until it hurts you taught me how to smile again you taught me that life isn't so serious and sometimes you have to play you have a big beautiful heart through life you need to keep it open and follow it never be afraid to be yourself we'll always be there in our park when you dream so we can still play I hope someday you will have a son like mine make them smile and shine just like you I love you toad and I hope someday you will understand why I didn't come home please be proud of me please don't stop loving life take in every

breath like it's your first I love you toad I will always be there with you I'll be in the sun shadows dreams and joys of your life baby bean I never got to see you but I know in my heart you are beautiful I know you will be strong and big-hearted just like your mom and brother I will always have with me the feel of the soft nudges on your mom's belly and the joy I felt when we found out you were on your way I dream of you every night I always will don't ever think that since I wasn't around that I didn't love you you were conceived of love and I came to this terrible place for love I love you I love you As I do your mom and brother with all my heart and soul Please understand that I had to be gone so that I could take care of my family I love you being I have never been so blessed as the day I met Melissa

You are my angel soulmate wife Lover and best friend I am sorry I did not want to have to write this letter There is so much more I need to say so much more I need to share a lifetime worth I married you for a million lifetimes that's how long I will be with you please keep our babies safe please find it in your heart to forgive me for leaving you alone take care of yourself believe in yourself you are a strong big-hearted woman teach our babies to live life to its fullest and tell yourself to do the same don't forget to take toad to Disney World I'll be there with you Melissa

I will always want you, need you, and love you in my heart, mind, and soul. Do me a favor. After you tuck, toad, and being in, give them hugs and kisses from me. Go outside. Look at the stars and count them. Did the smile of always your husband, Jess. And Jesse didn't come May 1st, 2003. Jesse Givens was killed while conducting combat operations in Habeinay, Iraq.

When his Abrams tank plunged into the Euphrates River, after the bank along the river collapsed. The three other crew members made it out of the tank. Jesse did not. Another brave warrior, so many other warriors. He left behind a family a wife and children and a mother and father and friends and life You left behind everything every laugh every hug from his boys every kiss from his wife everything on this memorial day Let us remember let us remember those soldiers sailors airmen and marines those bros Brave warriors who for us, for our freedom, left everything behind. After the sun sets on this memorial day, darkness consumes the sky outside.

Thank you to those heroes that now grace the heavens. And as much as your soul aches with sadness as you mourn your fallen, family and friends and brothers in arms, forget. that they did not sacrifice their lives for us to live in sadness. They sacrificed their lives so we could live in joy and happiness. This most solemn day, Memorial Day, for them.