If you could magically stick to your New Years resolution, what would you choose to see through and why?

I do not make resolutions because most people make resolutions knowing they will break them without having any accountability. Instead, I try to make commitments. My main commitment this year is to work on my health, both physical and mental. The past several years, before Covid, have been draining on me and I want to be a happier, healthier person. That means not letting things get to me and to work on improving my physical being.

My every day resolution is to live in the grace of my Baptism and to trust completely that God has my back for the sake of Jesus….that means I am the freest man in the world! I have God’s permission to love you! Isn’t that awesome? I think it is! God bless you!

I would choose to implement more self love, and me time. I would also start delegating chores/duties. I try to do to many things at once and get nothing done. I an notoriously stubborn when it comes to asking for help.

I have to quit smoking (counted over 6000 last year)

I'm not one to do New Year's resolutions. However this year I am going to make an exception. I am trying to focus on taking care of myself, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. I have been a caregiver for the last seven years and have lost five loved ones in the past three. I have cared for so many I have lost sight of how to care for myself. As such I find myself simply going through the motions of life. I have no regrets for caring for my loved ones. But it was truly difficult to lose my parents in the span of three years, as well as a mother-in-law and brother-in-law, and have a spouse diagned with dementia. I suffer from PTSD and depression and am actively working on taking care of myself. This is a goal I want to see through not just one day at a time, but throughout the new year.

I would like to talk to civic groups like the Rotary Club about the advantages of hiring veterans. The presentations would be based on a series of articles published in trade magazines on the same subject. I believe that companies should give preference in interviewing to Veterans for the following reasons. Having served 38 years in the Army and Army Reserves from Vietnam to Desert Storm and earned the rank of E1 to E6 and 2LT to LTC, I believe I have knowledge of all the areas listed below.
1. Leadership: Veterans have experience in leadership from the time they put on their first uniform throughout their career that civilians that just graduate from a 4 year college will never have, This is because the leadership they are exposed to run from simple squad leaders up to major activities such as combat and other troop movements. In addition, the leaders are required to monitor, counsel, and mentor their subordinates and are held accountable for their subordinates training and advancement. And as such, they are graded upon their capability to accomplish this.
2. Problem solving: Veterans are always challenged with accomplishing missions with minimum guidance. The saying I remember is “We’ve done so much with so little that we can do anything with nothing at all”.
3. Team building: For a unit to accomplish its missions the leaders must train and trust its subordinates to accomplish their assigned portion to the best of their abilities. And if they identify major problems, the subordinates must pass that information up in order to get the support (additional manpower, equipment materials etc.) to complete the mission.
4. Reliability/Accountability: Every veteran that has received an Honorable discharge must be responsible for their actions or inactions. From falling out for morning formation in clean, and presentable uniform to being punctual when expected to be at a certain location.
5. Training. There are more than 200 different MOSs (Military Occupational Skills) from basic Infantry (8 weeks) to extensive electronic repair (36-52 weeks) positions like Military Police to Supply management which are directly applicable to positons in almost every company.
I am currently working to compile at least 5 more areas of expertise that should directly influence a hiring manager’s decision when hiring new employees. This does not mean that Veterans should always be given the position, but if a hiring manager gets 30 resumes for a position, and 3 are Veterans, those 3 Veterans should be in the top 10 first interviewed for that position.

My resolution for this year is quit smoking cigarettes. I want to be around longer for myself and my partner. Plus to save money and to use the money that I would be spending on cigarettes for something useful or productive.

If I could magically, beyond a shadow of a doubt, stick to my New Years resolution, I would choose that resolution to be to become more involved in Veteran Advocacy. The reason why is as follows: Since my retirement, I have encountered many Veterans, from various eras, that for one reason or another struggle to receive the proper care. I am on who is very familiar with Title 38 and the issues we Vets have with the VA. I have long desired to become a registered advocate so that I could assist others with obtaining records and getting the compensation they deserve. This process, to become an advocate is a weary, and constant one, but if I could magically complete my resolution to do so, this is the one I would choose. Thank You!

I want desperately to stop smoking cigarettes. I have been a smoker on and off for 45 years. I hate it.

To quit smoking , I had lung surgery in late December, and need to live longer to see my children grow up!