Detonating artillery shells falling on Dunkirk echoed in the distance. It was late May, 1940, my father was only eleven years old. He was in a small restaurant with my grandfather, the two of them perplexed by the French soldier sitting next to them having a feast. The soldier's meal was lavish, far in excess of what virtually all Europeans were used to in those days of rationing. My grandfather struck up conversation with the soldier. "Excuse me, but you are using up all your ration coupons on this one meal. What will you eat later if you spend them all like this?" The soldier smiled forlornly and explained, "Tomorrow the Germans will attack." He would have no further use for his coupons. He had no intention of retreat. This was his last supper. For that soldier who died protecting my father and all the rest of us. For all the others I could never begin to name or even know of. For all those who stand the wall. Thank you.
Peter Cohen 😢Such a compelling story! You wrote it well. I can visually see that conversation and your young father and grandfather and the brace young soldier. Thank you for sharing. God bless you PS You should find a magazine or periodical to publish this story!
@stormsparrow I tend to post such things on Quora, but that is a mixed bag, very rarely getting a half million readers, but more likely to be seen by very few. Here's another of my father's experiences in that war that got at least a bit of readership. bit.ly/2s9wuwL
@Mark ONeill "Guess he didn't know how to swim." Way to trivialize a man's ultimate sacrifice. No thanks for a crass comment on an extremely sober subject. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Jocko I literally cry every podcast. I’m 6’6 295 former professional football player. You inspire me as a man to go out and achieve great things Nobel things while remembering the blood and sacrifice of others. Pleas continue on this quest you’re on! You are helping so many and I appreciate the words. I was lost with no mission, I’ve found my guts I’ve found that aggressive desire to not give up or give in! Thank You.
Rob Dodd Don Shipley who has the stolen valor show on Buds 131 on RU-vid and his own site said " I'm not scared of anyone but I wouldn't want to go near Jocko pissed off that guys a freak show " lol that says a lot about that man HOO-YAH 🙏🏻🇺🇸😇
I wish all U.S. citizens would take the time to listen to a fitting tribute like this and try and grasp what Memorial Day is really about. Please don't thank me and other living veterans for our service today. I never shed so much as a single drop of blood in defense of this nation. I am still reaping all the benefits paid for by those who laid down their lives on the altar of freedom. Thank those lying beneath rows of white crosses and the Gold Star families who grieve over them.
Thank you for the sobering reminder. And thank you for your sacrifice, Jocko. I thank God you survived and are able to teach and LEAD us to freedom. SALUTE.
THIS IS THE REASON WHY WE HONOR OUR FLAG AND STAND FOR OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM, BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE THAT MADE OUR LAND THE HOME OF THE FREE!!!!!! GOD BLESS ALL OF OUR MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES!!!!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND SACRIFICE!!!!!!
Lots of people need to listen to this. Gratitude to all who served. I brushed off my pops burial flag just 20 mins ago...my marine corp uncle Charles "Chuck" Salls was a survivor of chosin...a hero of chosin and my father lance corporal William henry Salls.....to you and to them and to all who gave up their time and sometimes all.
Speak the truth!!! Thank you to all our warriors for me and country! We will never forget you with all the respect and honor you deserve! Jocko you are an inspiration!!! Thank you Sir
Wow. Now that was moving. All gave some, some gave all. That is what today is about. The Presidents never go to fight the wars, and most always are sure to send the poor. Not them. Not THIER sons. This dude, speaks the truth and knows his shit. Amen Sir. Amen.
Commander thank you sir , for you and your brothers service for our country and freedom. My husband is former military and now retired law enforcement. I/we celebrate our freedoms each and everyday and pray for the loss of our brother's and sister's along for their families. God bless you sir and again thank you.
My grandfather was on the St. Paul in the south pacific, my uncle and cousin were in Viet Nam, my nephew was on the Nimitz in the Persian Gulf, they all survived. I know many did not. Thank you all who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Every time I hear Jocko speak, I get humbled. Awesome. I appreciate everyone who served. Thank you. For the men and women who gave their lives, I can only hope I am living a life worthy of your sacrifice (I am not, but I am working on that). Thank you.
We are truly the most blessed nation in the history of the world; Let's keep it that way. I am no one special yet every single day I live in grattitude, I thank the Lord for being so blessed. It can be a bit of mixed emotions though just because I know that there are a whole lot of folks out there that are having to endure hell on a daily basis here and all around the globe. I am thankful for those who serve, have served and have sacrificed so much for this great country. Thank you all for your service.
I have nothing to add to your words. I recently walked my oldest daughter down the aisle, free and able to pursue her own goals, ambitions, dreams and free to become one with her chosen husband. We owe our foundational ability to live in a Democratic Republic to soldiers, originally 300 Spartans who KNEW they would die. Without their stand, in 480 BC, there would have been no Democratic model for us to follow, and without the sacrifices of our soldiers over the centuries, no America to be proud of! Well read, well spoken and well received! Thanks!
I got a night terror this morning. I can't do anything about that happening. So what?! The good will still win against and have victory against evil, by crushing and destroying it!!! It does take time for that to happen. It will happen!! May God & His Angels Bless you Jocko Willink! May you be able to feel peaceful and more relaxed, in your own unique way, may you be able to find laughter, fun and enjoyment! You deserve to! Make today and other days of your life enjoyable, exciting, fun and hold onto your dreams!
As a young boy i was taught to be a warrior was the most respected honor to achieve with in the family & among the tribe,but at one time our family went to war against the country in witch we live in today.Now we fight along side her the united states to defend agaisnt all enemies that threaten to destroy her.Being born into a warrior society is a passsage that one must confront & do,it is the responsibility for one to enlist into the military to become a part of the warrior circle.From my great great grand fathers to my uncles to father & brother & then to me the last & youngest son,it was passed upon me to continue this honor & tradition of the warrior circle,& to give a part of myself so other can be free.thank you Jocko for your words & all you have done for this great nation of ours HOO-YA! ( PIAUTE/WASHOE NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN US NAVY 100%SC)
Thank you Jocko. Thank you to all our brave heros. Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines. Special ops of all branches. We the people can never repay or show enough gratitude for the price you paid. We can only live as good as we can and embrace all that you sacrificed for. Thank you!! Sincerely Rod Gano
Monica Griego My bad. Im sorry last but not least. The brave men and women of the Coast Guard in wich i had many friends. God bless them and thank you for your service!!
Sorry, as a Coastie Mom it's really fustrating not seeing them receive the acknowledgment they so deserve. THEY are the first line of defense day in and day out.
Monica Griego Yes ma'am they are. They do some outrageous selfless acts to save lives too!! I had many coast guard friends and they were great people. God Bless you and your son or daughter.
Im from Brazil, Jocko. You are amazing dude. You're inspire every american and i really hope brazilian guys too. Thanks a lot man. You literally changed my life, this on the other side of the world.
Well said I sit here dreading work tomorrow with the people who have given up ...400 plus folks who are so rude and negative Iam proud to say iam done that's a battle I can't win...I will enjoy my world thanks to you and so will they
You’ve gotten me through so much. Every week since I left… I cannot actually thank you enough. The hardest part of life now is trying to just be a person. I try but I’m always called out. I love everything about being a marine but I just wana be me.
I’m not a serviceman but I find this man so inspiring and am thankful to him for helping me remember the sacrifices of the people of the past who fought for their freedom and mine. Remember them.
To Jocko and all Veterans: thank you. You will never be forgotten. My gratitude will never end. I am heading to meps a second time soon to see if i may return my gratitude with blood ,sweat, and service and you have been a great source of inspiration and wisdom. Thank you Jocko. Thank you Brave veterans.
For those of you who disliked why, he's talking about soldiers who fought and died for you, me, for everyone in this nation, and remember all the fallen who died for our freedom, so don't dislike the video, like it or don't watch it
Amazing explanation Sir. One that brings tears to ones eyes. Tears of Pride; for the Red, White & Blue. More importantly, Gratitude for what you all do; those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. ✊
Jocko this is beautiful. I read it on Twitter, but listening to you read it is awesome. Remember all our fallen hero's, but also remember those who survived but left a piece off themself out there and have suffered consequences ever since. Many of them also traded their American dream to protect ours. May God bless them all. Thank you Jocko for this reminder, and thank you for your service to your country to us all. God bless you.
If you can say it better than Jocko today - you should do so. God Bless America and all those who have, are, and will in the future, serve her. Today belongs to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, remember them in prayer.
Godbless and RIP to all who give the ultimate sacrifice. And thank you to all veterans and service men and women for your service i love you guys and gals.
God Bless my adopted homeland of America and Bless all those who have sacrificed so that I can live out my dreams. Hat tip Jocko and thank you Sir for this.
