Now that I have your attention, let me give some context regarding the title. The photo you see is of a Special Operations Soldier pulling in a marlin during OR’s annual offshore event out of Morehead City. You may be thinking he had a good day since he hooked a nice fish, but a lot of his time was spent hanging over the gunnels chumming the water. Seems his gut can handle parachuting out of planes but not sailing rolling seas.

This Thanksgiving we would like to offer a special note of thanks to all who have volunteered their boat or property to serve our Nation’s Warriors. While we are grateful for the land in Hyde County, it takes additional space and resources to complete Operation Resolute’s mission. This year fifteen people volunteered boats for inshore fishing, nineteen people volunteered boats for offshore fishing and eight people offered hunts on their property, to include property in Georgia and South Texas.

The last event took me to 97 guys I’ve brought to OR. This upcoming event will put me over 100! What is most impactful to me is that of all 100 guys, I can call any one of them right now and still have a deep and meaningful conversation/relationship, why? It started at OR!

Even though we are not officially done with summer, OR’s fall schedule kicked in to high gear a few weeks ago. While we had a group of Soldiers hunting for old drum in the waters of Pamlico Sound, a group of volunteers was in Nash Co. getting blinds ready for our September 7th dove shoot. A lot is happening , and all of it is good. Serving those who sacrifice is more than a by-line, it is the heartbeat of OR and Friday/Saturday proved it.

There are plenty of things to celebrate this 4th of July.
I know every person reading this update is deeply grateful
for our Nation’s Warriors– who stand at the gate and in the gap –to preserve the freedoms that every American enjoys. He here at Operation Resolute we continue to see the impact of what is going on in this world on the people who serve this Great Nation.

I have to be honest – There are moments when I wonder if OR is making a difference. After 11 years of leading this organization, I have files full of quotes, pictures, and emails that tell me the work is impactful. The evidence is overwhelming. However, there are days, not many, but more times than I care to admit, when I question how much good OR is doing.  Then it happens… I get another note, another email, another picture from one of our chaplains telling me how an OR event was used for eternal purposes. Take for instance our offshore trip out of Morehead.

This weekend my wife Kimberly and I had the honor of hosting Lt. Col. Tim Cross and his wife Victoria. Tim emphasized that many view Memorial Day as the official kickoff of summer and forget the reason behind it.

God’s abundance continued to overflow to our Nations Warriors this week, as Operation Resolute hosted one hundred Soldiers on our annual Deep Sea Fishing Trip. These men and women had the time of their lives connecting with one another and their unit chaplains, all while bent over a rod and real pulling up treasure from the deep.