Jeff Wright is simply one of the finest leaders I have ever met. He is an elder at our church, an entrepreneur, and a loving husband and special needs parent. Jeff and I also co-host the Pursuit Of Service podcast which you can listen to by clicking HERE or on the image provided.
Jeff is also a U.S. Army Ranger Captain who served six years in the armed forces. Four of these were in active duty with the 82nd Airborne Division deployed to Iraq and the 75th Ranger Regiment deployed to Afghanistan. This means he is an elite and skilled operator.
In keeping with Memorial Day, I could not think of anyone who is better equipped to discuss the day’s importance than Jeff. All I can say is this week’s podcast is must-listen edition.
To give you a preview, the following are 19 leadership quotes from this week’s Pursuit Of Service podcast. All comments are from Jeff.
- “We have an obligation to remember and keep the memory alive of those who made that sacrifice. If we don’t do that they will pass off into history.”
- “This is how we ensure their sacrifice is not in vain.”
- “I often wear a KIA bracelet.”
- “I participate in a hero workout called The Murph.”
- “I participate in a run every Memorial Day with a non-profit called Project 33.”
- “Staff Sergeant Justin Bauer and Sergeant Jon Penney” – The two names on Jeff’s KIA bracelet
- “You don’t have to have served or be a veteran to really appreciate… those who made the sacrifice for us.”
- “It’s enabled us to be free and that’s the price we pay for freedom.”
- “As leaders we should be willing to sacrifice. If we’re not willing to sacrifice, perhaps we shouldn’t be leading.”
- “Every service member is a leader because it’s an all-volunteer force which is one of the best things about the military.”
- “Everyone self-led themselves into service.”
- “They pursued discomfort for a greater cause.”
- “Military training by nature trains them into leaders of others.”
- “There’s no greater love than to lay your life down for a friend.”
- “At the very least, (we should try to) emulate that selflessness in sacrifice for those we’re leading the causes we’re leading towards.”
- “Absolutely 100% enjoy those because from the brave heroes I knew, they would want you to do so.” – referring to the long Memorial Day weekend, the cookouts, the barbecues, the lake.
- “That’s what they paid for.”
- “It’s not just a long weekend. Take a moment to appreciate what has given you that long weekend.”
- “Don’t thank me for my service on Memorial Day because I’m still here. But rather appreciate the ones I’m thinking about as well.”
We are deeply grateful for Jeff’s service and all of those in our armed forces. Once again, to hear the full 17-minute interview, click HERE. Below is a picture of Jeff’s unit.
