Bidding farewell to Admiral Allen, United States Coast Guard and "America's Admiral"

As I write this, the leader that one blog yesterday called "America's Admiral," Thad Allen, is being relieved as Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard by Admiral Robert Papp.  In the last several minutes, ADM Allen has thanked Secretaries Gates and Napolitano, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and representatives of foreign Coast Guards.  He has been awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and the Department of Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal.  Earlier this morning he addressed all of the men and women of the Coast Guard with a message to all hands.  Now he addresses the audience.

Of course, I know all of this not because I am present at the event (sadly), but because of the social media blitz surrounding this event.  Ironically the result of a culture paradigm -- openness and transparency at the highest levels -- that ADM Allen championed throughout his tenure as Commandant.  Indeed, the Admiral has appealed to those he leads as a student of the world as much as a teacher to his juniors, a shipmate as much as a leader, yet seemed to master an art upon which nearly universal judgement has been passed: Admiral Allen is as fine a leader as this country could hope for in a still young yet very challenging new century, having guided his Service through trying times as a servant leader, and leaving it far better than he found it.

He wrote in his farewell message this morning...

"...I encourage each of you to be insatiably curious, to be life-long learners, to look after your shipmates, and, finally, to seize every chance to apply your leadership skills, talent, and competencies when the opportunity presents itself.

"I am incredibly proud of all our active duty members, reservists, civilians and auxiliarists. No matter how fiercely the winds of change swirl around us, our people stabilize the Service. You are America's Maritime Guardians and your country needs you now more than ever. It has been my extraordinary honor to have been your Commandant and I am excited to see where you will take the organization in the future. Fair winds."

Sentiments both warm and encouraging as we bid farewell to a leader so many of us respect, admire, and would follow anywhere.  As a Service, we are not greeted by a new Commandant, Admiral Papp, who in typical fashion welcomed the asssembled crowd with his trademark and enthusiastic "Good morning shipmates!"  And we don't lose Admiral Allen -- at least not yet -- as he is sent south once again to serve as the National Incident Commander overseeing the response to the Deepwater Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  I cannot imagine a more appropriate "next stop" for the Admiral who rolled up his sleeves to lead us through September 11, Hurricane Katrina, the modernization of America's oldest continually existing sea-going service, and countless other challenges along the way.

From so many of us, thank you for your service, and thank you for inspiring us.

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New hope for gene therapy and a young boy's fight against blindness

I love the work that the folks at WHITECOAT Strategies do, "telling the story of science," in ways that, according to CEO and Producer David Welch, offer "Excitement and drama, compelling heroes, and yes, a little romance."  I highlighted a piece of their video work a while back in my post "What Nutragenomics, custom Nikes, and ordering take out tell us about American political life," and in today's "why do you serve" post, I'd like to call attention to their latest story of gene therapy and a young boy's fight against blindness.


Welch recently offered a producer's cut and explained why he serves -- why the work of science, biotechnology, and medicine is so important -- on the WHITECOAT blog in a post titled "New Hope for Gene Therapy… A Young Boy’s Fight Against Blindness."

"As a producer of science and biotech films I look for three important story elements: Excitement and drama, compelling heroes, and yes, a little romance. This may surprise some people. After all, this is science…not a Lifetime movie. But when we discuss amazing cures for our planet, whether it be in medicine, agriculture or industry, the makings of a really good story are always at hand.

"I am happy to say this short form three minute video has all three elements. What could be more exciting than a biotech cure to a rare genetic disease that had left 9-year-old Corey Haas virtually blind since birth? Or more dramatic than 3-dimensional animation that visually describes Corey’s procedure. Heroes? This video is packed with them. From Dr. Jean Bennett and her clinical trial and surgical team to Dr. Steve Rose and his research colleagues at the Fighting Blindness Foundation to young Corey himself. And if you’re looking for a little love and romance you need to look no further than the emotion of Corey’s parents who never lost hope that one day their son would have his vision restored.

"The inspiration for the video actually came from Dr. Stephen Sherwin, president and CEO of Ceregene and currently the Chairman of the Biotechnology Industry Organization. Steve asked us to produce a video about renewed hope and interest in gene therapy that he could show during his Keynote Address at the BIO Convention in Chicago. He wanted a factual and realistic portrayal of Corey’s story and a video about hope and perseverance.

"In reviewing the final cut I was again reminded that the stories of science and biotechnology are best told visually. Video allows us to bring together the scientists with those who benefit from their science. It is a powerful and emotional combination. I must also admit to a little luck. Jean Bennett and Steve Rose are fantastic interviews, each presenting their expertise in language easily understandable by wide audiences. Their dedication to science combined with a personal affinity for patients like Corey really comes through.

"In the end, however, it is a story about a special little boy who is as normal as apple pie. He rides his bike (fast) and plays hand-to-eye games on Wii like a world champion. And in 2009, Corey Haas completed his first season of Little League baseball. I don’t think his batting average even mattered."

Like so many of the human stories that come out of the groundbreaking work of devoted scientists and doctors the world over, this is a great story (others are availably from WHITECOAT Strategies and BIOchannel on YouTube).  I appreciate what the family, doctors, producers, and crew shared with us, and I hope that you'll pass along and help tell the story.

Thank you, all, for your service!

(Pictured first is David Welch (producer), and second is Corey Haas, who has overcome near blindness at birth, and finished his first season of little league baseball in 2009.)

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Erica Smith takes on the education and generation gaps, but needs your help

Erica Smith is working to "build bridges" and "join generations" through an educational program in Charlottesville, VA. As an AmeriCorps VISTA, Erica is "proud to recuit, train, support, and sustain the intergenerational tutoring program at a state-of-the-art aging agency." She explains below.

"In addition to the educational achievement gap in schools, communities are also facing a generation gap between youth and the elderly.  By the year 2030, the U.S. is expected to have more people over the age of 60 than any society in the history of the world, but currently, these people are being isolated.  This has created the generation gap in our communities."

Erica and colleagues produced the video below as they promote this program and answering the question "why do you serve."  As they serve the youth and elderly residents of Charlottesville, now too do they need your help.  She asks that you click here to visit the video and click the "LIKE" (THUMBS UP) to help them win the fan favorite award, and that you pass along and share with your friends.


If you want to get involved and assist in this effort, or know somebody else who may, get in touch with Erica.  She can be found on Twitter at @ElimenohP, or on LinkedIn.

To those reading, thank you for supporting this effort.  To Erica and her colleagues, thank you for your hard work and for answering this week's question, "why do you serve?"

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"Service provides hope and serves as a reminder of the power of giving"

I wrote last December of a dinner I attended where the theme was "Helping yourself while helping others."  In answering the question, "why do you serve," this week, Tessa Vinson at The College of William and Mary writes of "service as a two way street," of her experience raising money for a cause close to the heart while working to become "more fit than [she] had been in years."

Tessa graduates in two weeks.  I suspect, though, that just as her academic career continues (she returns to The College in the fall for law school), so too will the devotion to service displayed so well by all the member's of "Team Aidan."  Tessa tells their story below.

"If someone had told me a year ago, or five years ago that I would have completed a half-marathon, I would have thought they were crazy. I had grown up hating running, and had not been to the gym in months. When one of my sorority sisters sent an email out asking sisters to join her in a half-marathon as part of a fundraiser, I briefly went to the website link and read about Reaching Potentials and all of the work they do for autistic children and their families. Having read all of the success stories, I thought this seemed like a worthy cause and promptly responded that I would be thrilled to run. After all, the race was in February and it was June. I had plenty of time to train, or back out, which was more likely. In the back of my mind, I knew I would help raise money, but in all likelihood I would barely train and pull out a few weeks before the race.

"However, once the first few emails were sent out and I saw how many of my sisters would be running with me, I became even more encouraged. Over the coming weeks, we learned more about Aidan, the little boy who had inspired this whole chain of events. I began to take training more seriously and was running or at the gym almost four days a week. I started eating better and sleeping more. By the time race day came around I was more fit than I had been in years. Throughout the weeks leading up to the race, my sisters and I emailed family and friends asking for donations to Team Aidan. Starting out with a goal of raising $3,000, by the time the fundraising campaign had ended, we had raised almost $8,300.

"Having completed the race I had come to learn that a group of eleven people could really make a difference. As Albert Schweitzer once said, “I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” While I had fully expected to give something to Team Aidan, participating in such an event gave something back to me. It reminded me of the power of ordinary people. It reminded me that “service” is a two way street. Donations of time and money contribute far more than material and concrete results. Service provides hope, and in the end, can serve as a reminder of the power of giving."

I am struck by the re-appearance of the Schweitzer quote.  Steve Pegram cited the same in a post a while back.  The spirit pervades.

Thank you, Tessa and the rest of Team Aidan, for your service.  Happy Graduation ;).

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To all who helped out on Earth Day: "Thank you for your service"

Earth Day last week calls for a special "why do you serve" post this week.  Each Monday I highlight the service of different "heroes in our midst" -- ordinary people serving the world around them.  I prefer the personal stories, such as the one told last week by Robin Blandford, a volunteer in the Irish Coast Guard, but as I heard little news stories last week of people working hard to clean up a small corner of the world on Earth Day, I knew we had our story for this week.

Now, I will admit that I do have a bit of a problem with Earth Day.  I find it to be troublingly similar to Valentine's Day -- you know, a single day per year when you are supposed to really show someone (or in this case, the planet Earth) that you care about it, as if we shouldn't be doing that the rest of the year?  Not to discourage anyone's uniquely late-April efforts, but do consider all the hard work  you did last week when next you have an opportunity to opt for laziness over environmental stewardship (I'm looking at you, "guy whose coffee cup turned into little pieces of styrofoam that I picked up on Saturday").  But I digress...

Whether it was some folks I know who spent last Thursday better "greenifying" their house (installing better weather proofing, fixing some run-off issues, etc), or the Army National Guard unit I saw picking up trash along the road over the weekend, I thank everyone who observed Earth Day in their unique way.  As someone who has done a lot of work in Marine Safety and Environmental Protection with the Coast Guard, I'd like to specifically thank the team of volunteers (pictured here) that I spent time with over the weekend picking up trash and untangling fishing line along the Potomac River at Jones Point Lighthouse in Alexandria, VA.  We had another team over along the Anacostia River that same day.  I enjoyed spending the day with you, and I thank you all for your service!

As we head into our fourth and final week of the April "Spotlight on Leadership" campaign focusing on the idea of "external awareness," I encourage everyone to consider their place and potential in the context of the economic, environmental, political, military, and social issues we face both within our own organizations and communities, as well as nationally and internationally.  We'll discuss more later this week, and as always, I look forward to your thoughts.

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Robin Blandford saves lives on the cliffs of Ireland and through the Internet worldwide

I am pleased to feature Robin Blandford in this Monday's weekly "why do you serve" segment as we kick off week three of the April "Spotlight on Leadership" campaign.  This week's focus is on "decision making and problem solving," and it is in this area that Robin has really done some fantastic work.  Drawing on personal experiences serving in the Irish Coast Guard, he and his colleagues developed the really excellent "Decisions for Heroes" web-based search and rescue team management software (scroll down for a video demo).  Invoking the mantra that "better decisions save lives," Robin serves the public need at work by day and as a volunteer on the cliff's of Ireland.  When I asked him "why do you serve," he graciously responded with his thoughts below...

My serving others really kicked off when I started to enjoy my leadership role as a Patrol Leader in Scouting. I continued on to become a Scout Leader, and serve voluntarily at international camps and centres in a leadership role. The enjoyment of serving others with a good time and education is phenomenal. Through scouting, I became a first aider and continued to advance those skills and my leadership by joining a Search & Rescue team.

My voluntary unit of the Irish Coast Guard serve as a 4th Emergency Service to the State. We offer a blue light high-angle sea cliff and technical rescue service and safety patrols and advice to anyone in our community in danger on on the cliffs, coast, sea, lakes and rivers. Volunteering takes many hours each week - and many are spent in cold conditions searching, preparing, or just waiting - far from the excitement. So why do I serve?

I think serving in an unpaid rescue team draws people for two reasons - you come for the opportunity to help your community, you stay for the camaraderie. The opportunity to help your community and save lives is a given - but the camaraderie of your colleges - the experiences you have together form very tight bonds. The camaraderie makes good of those long through the night and work the next morning searches. The camaraderie makes the false starts for hoaxes at 4am ok. The camaraderie means you gain yourself while still giving all you've got.

I serve because I gain a little while others gain a lot. I gain friends, a purpose, and a reason - others gain their survival.

The Decisions for Heroes demo video is below, check it out and consider employing it if you're in this line of work. Robin, thank you for your thoughts here, and thank you for your service!

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Former students, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliarists from The College of William & Mary, carry on their lives of service

We enter this week's installment of the "Spotlight on Leadership" campaign with a "why do you serve" post that is very close to my heart.  I should actually say that this Monday I am taking the opportunity not to ask the question "why do you serve," but rather to highlight three servant leaders, and the progress they have made over the last year.

You might know of my experience as the Detachment Leader (Officer in Charge) of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Detachment at The College of William and Mary.  Interestingly, I wrote just several weeks ago of the value of serving as an instructor, at one time or another during your career, in whatever organization you find yourself working.  Your experience teaching others will quite profoundly influence your own life, and what is more, you are likely afterwards to experience the great pride that comes from seeing your former charges succeed in ways far beyond what you imagined when they were students.

It is therefore fitting, as we tackle the notion of "Influencing Others" as this week's leadership topic, that last week I received messages from several of my former students.  I also heard from someone with whom another former student works, saying that, "she is performing very well, a cut above most."  It was a great moment, and I am happy to update you on their stories.

Emily Johnson graduated from The College of William and Mary in 2009, moved to Washington, DC, and has gone to work for USIS as a special investigator performing federal government background investigations.  She has continued her part time service in the Coast Guard Auxiliary as the Planning Manager in the University Programs Branch (where she works with me).  She is eager to begin training to earn her boat crew qualification this spring, which will pave the way for her to work in on-water boat operations.  She's also squeezing in some service time with her church's refugee resettlement program.

Christian Fitzsimmons enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, graduating from recruit training this past December.  I saw him (and others) shortly thereafter at a New Years party I hosted, and was so impressed with what I learned.  He has gone on to school at the Defense Language Institute (DLI), where his acquired linguistic competencies will make him a instrumental in a changing world.

Mike Piantedosi transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, where he is currently completing his first year.  I find myself looking forward to his regular e-mail updates.  He will briefly return home to Virginia in several months, but his summer will be filled with time underway, either aboard an operational Coast Guard vessel or aboard the training barque Eagle.  He has agreed to send me his own answer to the question "why do you serve," which I will certainly post as soon as it is received.

These three, each coming from similar roots at The College, have each chosen dramatically different paths.  One serves part time when the daily responsibilities of her civilian career are through.  Two may go on to defend the United States overseas.  One serves with his linguistic skills, through an understanding of other cultures, while another serves through her compassion for those from places far beyond our shores.  Two have chosen to dedicate their efforts to saving lives and property at sea.  All three continue to make me -- and all those that know them -- very proud.  They show us that there are many paths to service, many ways to make a difference in the world.  Their collective efforts help me to remember that there is no greater feeling than that which comes from witnessing the success of those you once mentored.  Thank you for those efforts, and thank you for your service.

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Bill Bratton, leader in service of global security, on accountability and why he continues to serve

We are shining a spotlight on leadership this month as we investigate a different topic each week.  This first week gets underway discussing "Accountability and Responsibility" in the regular Monday "why do you serve" piece.  I knew as soon as I read a 1 April BusinessWeek article, "Bill Bratton, Globocop," that we would take a different approach today.

Bill Bratton, Chairman of Altegrity Risk International (full disclosure, my employer USIS's sister company), has served four decades in law enforcement.  I discussed his GovSec conference keynote several weeks ago.  Bratton's forty years of public service now carried on in the private sector speaks to my oft-argued proposition that service comes in many forms" -- in this case we see that service is not the sole domain of the doctors, teachers, men and women in uniform.  As the former police chief in Boston, New York, and Los Angeles, Chief Bratton has carried on a life of service working to ensure the safety of our people in the places they work and live.  Speaking to this week's "leadership competency," Susan Berfield of BusinessWeek wrote:

"Bratton's philosophy of law enforcement took shape 20 years ago when, as head of New York City's transit police, he inspired and provoked a once-demoralized force to restore order underground. He and a small brain trust believed that police should consider residents their customers, criminals their competitors. They also understood that authority and accountability had to be visible at a local level."

Berfield (perhaps unknowingly) answered our question as to "Why Chief Bratton serves" in writing...

"Sometime this past summer Bill Bratton realized he was getting bored. He was nearing his 62nd birthday and wondering what his next challenge might be. He'd spent most of his career in law enforcement. Was it time for another shot at the corporate world? He had been in command of the Los Angeles police force for seven years, the longest he had ever stayed anywhere. Bratton had led the department through grueling, federally mandated reforms. He had put into practice all of his ideas about policing and management and leadership, and they had worked. The crime rate had dropped by more than a third. The LAPD, long despised in minority communities, found acceptance where it had previously been feared. Morale was high. 'I had done everything I wanted to do,' he says.

"What he chose to do next suggests that Bratton still has something to prove, because there are many easier ways to ensure a comfortable retirement. In the fall of 2009 he became chairman of Altegrity Risk International, a security consulting firm in New York. Bratton intends to bring the best of American policing to some of the most dangerous places in the world. Soon the State Dept. will open the bidding on highly lucrative contracts to help train police forces in what it calls post-conflict nations. It's work that has often defied the expertise of more established companies, other law enforcement agencies, and the U.N. It is dangerous, frustrating, politically fraught, and labor-intensive. Bratton, however, is optimistic. In fact, he sounds like a man about to embark on a long-planned vacation. 'It's a great time to be doing this,' he says in his office in midtown Manhattan."

The article is an engaging read as it illuminates the often-times unexplored synergies between service to others and profit-making enterprise, as well as the road ahead for the public-private partnership of government, diplomacy, military, and private companies as they tackle security challenges in "post-conflict nations."  I propose that well-run and well-intentioned companies are capable -- sometimes most capable -- of doing good things in the world.  I would like to see more if this organizational behavior (it's good for your business, too).  It's a big part of the reason why I love my "day job," only made better by my opportunity to serve as a Coast Guard Auxiliarist when the work day is done.

An extended version of Chief Bratton's keynote at the GovSec conference was made available last week.  It is worth a 6-minute listen to learn a bit more about his vision for global post-conflict security.

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Service leaders in the community, nation, and world help answer the question "Why do you serve?"

Six weeks ago I started a regular Monday segment at www.andrewdwelch.com that features personal thoughts and reflections on service, written (usually) by those who serve.  I get a number of questions about the segment, so decided that I would discuss the idea a bit and recap the stories told since we got underway (instead of running a new post this week).  As I explained in an early post...

I have been mindful of several notions as I write about service, leadership, and innovation on this blog. First is that (as I heard the Coast Guard's Admiral Papp discuss once in a speech) "there are heroes in our midst," and second, that service is something that comes in many forms. Sometimes it is done in a classroom, sometimes it is done in a uniform, sometimes it is done in a hospital, and most times it is done in places and ways that are neither glamorous nor easily recognized. With those principles in mind, I am seeking to answer the question "why do you serve" in a regular segment here. My hope is that these very personal accounts will tell the very important and meaningful story of how those among us are doing extraordinary things to serve their communities, their nation, and in some cases humanity the world over -- that service to others is so important because: 

1. It is good for you; 

2. It is good for those around you; and 

3. It is good for those who you serve.

We'll hear from educators, scientists, community workers, doctors, clergy, and more in the future.

Since getting underway, of course, I have expanded to include a few pieces written by me, rather than first person accounts.  The idea, at any rate, is to highlight many stories and varieties of service in the coming weeks.  I'd like to shine a spotlight on the good things that others are doing, and, perhaps, encourage newcomers to do the same.

I hope you'll get in touch with me if you would like to write, or if you know of someone who has a good story worth telling.  I've listed past stories, as well as some other profiles in service type posts that were the early inspiration for this idea, below so that you can get a flavor for the project.

Steve Pegram, Emergency Manager and USCG Auxiliarist, answers the question "Why do you serve?"

Jon Hemler, medical school student on a mission, answers the question "Why do you serve?"

Colin and Alma Powell take on the high school dropout challenge, and then answer the question, "Why do you serve?" 

Red Cross volunteer Lorraine Nordlinger answers many calls, and then answers the question "Why do you serve?"

Rachel Polish, Coast Guard Reservist, answers the question "why do you serve?"

W. Samuel Sadler '61, a hero in our midst, receives Alumni Medallion at The College of William and Mary

"Director of Operations blog" reinforces relationship between USCG and professional mariners

Haitian Mother and Child Reunited Aboard USS Nassau

Education is the unique province of society that raises the bar of what is possible -- saluting teachers on Martin Luther King, Jr Day of Service

Leadership in the 21st Century: Learning from Admiral Allen's "iCommandant" Coast Guard blog

Thank you for reading, and to those the world over -- wherever you do your good work -- thank you for your service!

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Steve Pegram, Emergency Manager and USCG Auxiliarist, answers the question "Why do you serve?"

Steve Pegram is a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), Coast Guard Auxiliary Aviator, and currently serves as Chief of the USCG Auxiliary Incident Management Systems Branch while serving with me in the USCG Auxiliary University Programs Branch.  In his "day job," Steve is "Senior Client Consultant for Crisis Communications & Operational Integration" at a great company called Everbridge.  Traveling the country working with various organizations on behalf of Everbridge, or making good things happen in the Coast Guard, Steve knows emergency management, and is truly dedicated to the safety of the American people.  Steve quoted Albert Schweitzer when I first put the weekly question to him, "Why do you serve?"

I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve. ---Albert Schweitzer

I appreciate Steve Pegram following up on last week's great response from Jon Hemler (University of Virginia Medical School), answering with his own thoughts as he tackles the leader-as-servant ethic, the importance of paying it forward, local cultures of service, and his own personal joy in it all.  Thank you for your thoughts, and thank you for your service!

My road to service actually began over 30 years ago when I was promoted into a leadership position at FedEx. The extraordinary journey began with an eight week boot camp on leadership development. Those classes and discussion sessions with senior leaders instilled in me the leader-as-servant ethic. Embracing this ethic is the singular thing that has most directly contributed to the successes I’ve had in both my professional and personal life.

I serve in order to give back to a community and a country that has been far better to me than I perhaps sometimes deserved. I serve to “pay it forward” from those people who have helped me along the way.

I serve to make some small contribution to support the active duty men and women of the US Coast Guard. These fine people stand the watch for us everyday and it is but a small thing I can do to thank them for the service.

I serve because I steadfastly believe that service should be a local, emergent meme and responsibility that involves everyone in whatever capacity that individual chooses and not abrogated to any central bureaucracy. Creating a culture of service locally ensures a healthy and resilient community.

And finally, I serve because there is joy in it.

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Jon Hemler, medical school student on a mission, answers the question "Why do you serve?"

As we continue to tell these great stories answering the question "why do you serve," I have thought often of my best friend.  A medical school at the University of Virginia, Jon Hemler has already devoted his life, passion, and resources to healing others.  He distinguishes himself daily as a "hero in our midst," whether in a doctor's office, in a church, or in the less formal places that Jon serves.  Thank you, Jon, for your thoughts here, for your friendship, and for your service!

Doctor. The title brings to mind numerous images; that of a surgeon scrubbed in, a stethoscope listening to a child’s heart, a prescription pad. This is, to me, the quintessential definition of service. I am currently a third year medical student at the University of Virginia medical school in Charlottesville, VA. During my time here, medicine has challenged and enthralled me, but it has also dragged me down and discouraged me. It is both extremely rewarding and profoundly frustrating. But, what keeps me waking up every morning and doing the work I do is knowing that I am helping another human being in a unique and privileged way. The relationship between a doctor and patient is like no other relationship on this planet. Often, doctors are the people that patients reveal the most to about their lives. It is an extraordinary privilege to do what I do, but it is also very humbling. It makes you realize how many blessings you have when you take care of people day in and day out going through significant life-changing events.

If someone were to tell me they wanted to go into medicine for the money, I would truthfully tell them to look for a different profession. The average debt of a medical student today is $155,000, not including undergraduate loans. The road to becoming a doctor is extraordinarily challenging, and there are months on end spent doing nothing but studying. The residency training after medical school is arduous, working 80 hours a week or more for 3 or more years, and getting paid not nearly enough to pay off any loans. Given the current state of the U.S. health care system, I doubt that even the incomes of fully trained and licensed doctors are not going to go up by much in the near future.  Granted, all doctors make enough to live comfortably, but certainly not as much as many people in law, business, or many other fields. 

Why then do thousands of people apply for so few spots at the nation's medical school every year? For many, it is answering a call to serve, whether that be from God through faith, or an innate desire to improve the well-being of your fellow man. Service is about using your talents in a selfless giving to others. Mother Theresa said it best: “In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.” As a future doctor, I get to do these things as my job, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

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Colin and Alma Powell take on the high school dropout challenge, and then answer the question, "Why do you serve?"

Former Secretary of State, and retired Army General, Colin Powell and Mrs. Alma Powell hit the airwaves last week discussing their hopes and work to keep more kids in school.  They spoke of a challenge and their reasons for taking it on, but as I watched the interview, I couldn't help but think that we had just found this week's very appropriate answer to the question, "Why do you serve?"  (See what Lorraine Nordlinger, Red Cross Volunteer, had to say last week).

Interesting to note that NPR tackled nearly the same issue several days ago (did I miss the memo on this week being the week the debate the American drop-out rate?).  Further interesting (and shocking) is the statistic suggesting just how many high school students we're talking about here.

An American teenager drops out of high school every 26 seconds.  Yes, seconds.  Wow.  Take a moment to watch the interview below.


Several ideas from the interview stick out to me.  First is the notion that this is not only an educational challenge, but an economic and security concern as well.  Too often we look at a challenge of national importance and think of it in such simple terms, but this one isn't simple.  America's ability to excel in the future, as a nation, depends not only on having "all hands on deck" to work hard and move the country forward (an impossible dream so long as we have a kid jumping overboard every 26 seconds), but we also depend on not having to reverse course, turn around, rescue, and then spend a lifetime caring for those that do drop out.  I am reminded of a speech I heard President Obama give last year, in which he explained to kids that they couldn't quite on themselves and quit on the country, because they are too important, because we need them too much.  Every person that fails to achieve his or her own potential not only hurts their own chances in life, but the chances of all those that might have benefited from that person's success.  An economic and security problem indeed.

Secondly, and more personally, was Mrs. Powell's explanation as to why this issue is so important to her, answering the question "Why do you serve?"  She says:

"For those that are given much, much is expected."

I repeat, "For those that are given much, much is expected."

Thank you for telling this story and taking this issue on.  Thank you for your service.

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Red Cross volunteer Lorraine Nordlinger answers many calls, and then answers the question "Why do you serve?"

We continue our series asking leaders in service to others the central question of "Why do you serve" with an answer from Lorraine Nordlinger in Arlington, VA.  What I love about Lorraine's service is how broad it is.  Her efforts with her daughter's girl scout troop, the American Society of Training and Development, USCG Auxiliary, Daughters of the American Revolution, and even her own neighborhood committee show us the many forms that service can take, the many missions that need the talent's of those who care in order to succeed, and the many ways that any person can find a way to give back that suits their interests, time, and talents.  I specifically asked Lorraine, "Why do you serve as a volunteer with the American Red Cross?"  I appreciate her story below, particularly at a time when the Red Cross is doing so much to assist the people of Haiti (and around the world).  To those reading, consider the Red Cross and its missions as a place to dedicate your time and talents, and as always, thank you for your service!

I serve as a (volunteer) Senior Business Analyst and Journalist at the American Red Cross national headquarters because:

Although I had donated blood a time or two at American Red Cross Blood drives, my most impressionable interaction with the American Red Cross came as I lost most all of my belongings, and nearly my life, when a tornado destroyed my home in Raleigh, NC in 1988.

At the time, I was a graduate student who had just embarked on a new business venture, and money was tight. The day before the tornado, I had gone to the grocery store and stocked my pantry for the next few weeks. Then the food, the pantry, the kitchen, and my whole apartment were destroyed by a terrible wind storm that ripped the top floor of my building, up-ended my unit, and left bare floors with -no walls attached- exposed. Concrete slabs had collapsed on one another like pancakes.

My glasses, the nightstand on which they were resting, as well as the entire bedroom, had blown away. But I could see that I was lucky to have survived.

The Red Cross gave me immediate assistance to help purchase a few items of clothing and some food, so I could go about trying to get my life back together. The next day, I went back to the remnants of my home to search through rubble for a lone photo, a memento from a trip or a loved one, or piece of clothing that was not ripped or stained. A Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle pulled up on that cold November day and served my neighbors and me a hot meal of tasty beef stew and hot chocolate that warmed and nourished us enough to press on.

Nearly 10 years later, I went to work for the American Red Cross Biomedical Services National Headquarters. As an employee, I met countless people that were touched by the Red Cross and its services: people who would not have survived without blood transfusions; a baby who stopped breathing while sitting on Santa’s lap at the mall, but survived because Santa had taken a Red Cross CPR class and saved the child; an elderly woman who assumed her cousin had been killed in the Holocaust but was found by the Red Cross tracing service, a young girl who had been born with a defective heart valve and would not have survived if she had not received a donor heart valve from a grieving family…..

It’s been over 7 years since I left my employment with the Red Cross, but I have always remembered the lives that were saved and touched by its caring volunteers, staff, and people who had received Red Cross training.

Once my children were both in school most of the day, I started to get the itch to utilize my professional management and training skills once more. As I began to explore opportunities, I learned that the Red Cross has had to make drastic budgetary cuts, and some of the services they provide might be threatened if they cannot expand their network of volunteers and donations.

I came to help because America needs the American Red Cross to work.

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Rachel Polish, Coast Guard Reservist, answers the question "why do you serve?"

Last week we launched the "Heroes in Our Midst" / "Why do you Serve?" series with a post on Sam Sadler's award of the Alumni Medallion at The College of William and Mary.  I am really excited to be getting underway with the first guest blogger, Coast Guard Reservist Rachel Polish (LinkedIn | Twitter).

A little background as we get started: I have been mindful of several notions as I write about service, leadership, and innovation on this blog. First is that (as I heard the Coast Guard's Admiral Papp discuss once in a speech) "there are heroes in our midst," and second, that service is something that comes in many forms. Sometimes it is done in a classroom, sometimes it is done in a uniform, sometimes it is done in a hospital, and most times it is done in places and ways that are neither glamorous nor easily recognized. With those principles in mind, I am seeking to answer the question "why do you serve" in a regular segment here. My hope is that these very personal accounts will tell the very important and meaningful story of how those among us are doing extraordinary things to serve their communities, their nation, and in some cases humanity the world over -- that service to others is so important because:

1. It is good for you;
2. It is good for those around you; and
3. It is good for those who you serve.

We'll hear from educators, scientists, community workers, doctors, clergy, and more in the future, but I felt compelled to go with the service so close to my heart in this second installment (a great leader from William and Mary, my alma mater, was covered last week).  So without further delay, I am happy to share Rachel's story with you, as originally published on CGBlog.org as "Why I Joined the Coast Guard: Rachel Polish".

My mother always taught me the importance of giving back to one’s country and community. On holidays, my sisters and I often found ourselves sweeping floors or serving food at a soup kitchen to those less fortunate. My mother’s example demonstrated how important it is that we preserve open space and do more for the environment, taking into account the generations that will follow us. I even volunteered quite a bit for political causes and local charities before graduating high school, but was never sure where this burning desire to do more for others came from until I became an adult.

As a pre-teen, my mother once explained to me why she never had a large family. Her immediate ancestors left Poland, Russia and Germany when the situation became tense in Europe during World War I. Many members of my extended family remained steadfast in their desire to stay in Europe – even as Hitler made things even more difficult to be Jewish and free. Of those who remained, the majority of my family did not escape in time before World War II started. As a direct consequence, most did not survive the Holocaust. This reality hit home for me when my mother’s cousin, Harry Posmantier, one of three brothers who lived to share his personal account of this horrific time in our world’s history, sent me his book, The Last of the Numbered Men. Reading Harry’s heart-wrenching, yet hopeful personal account of the Holocaust and his life only further guided me on my own personal journey to give back and do more for the greater good of Americans.

When I was 13, I participated in a Jewish rite of passage known as a Bat Mitzvah. My mother – always thinking of others and striving to do more for give back – helped me to arrange a “twin” as part of the ceremony. At this time in our history, Jews were not able to practice their religion freely in the oppressive former Soviet Union. By being “twinned,” Anna, a 13-year old Soviet girl, was Bat Mitzvahed at the same time I was (albeit, virtually). However, I was the only one who was able to participate in the rite of passage without the fear of being persecuted. I still recall my strong feelings of pride, duty and purpose as I gazed upon the empty chair, draped with a prayer shawl, which was carefully positioned next to me as I read aloud from the Torah. The experience had a much greater meaning, knowing that I was not alone on that stage.

Being a woman, Jewish, strong (some say hard-headed) and having both a civilian and a military career is unheard of in most of the world. I wake up every morning, believing from the very core of my being that I truly embody the American dream. Some would say that serving in the military – especially with the constant uncertainty as a reservist – is the ultimate sacrifice. Being a part of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve allows me to contribute to an organization whose primary mission is save lives and protect our shores. As a public affairs specialist, there is no greater privilege than having the ability to share the good work of my shipmates with others.

I could not think about a more appropriate time to share what inspired me to join the Coast Guard and give back to this amazing nation of ours. What inspires you to give back? Why did you join the Coast Guard? I could not be more excited to hear from you and learn about your personal journey.

Thank you for your service, Rachel.

If you have a great answer to the question "why do you serve" that you want to share, or if you know someone that does, please get in touch with me.  I look forward to hearing from you!

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W. Samuel Sadler '61, a hero in our midst, receives Alumni Medallion at The College of William and Mary

It would be difficult to find a William and Mary alumnus from the last four decades that does not fondly remember Sam Sadler.  Indeed, an alumnus from the class of 1961, Sam did in fact serve four decades at The College and its students as Assistant Dean of Admissions, Dean of Men, Dean of Students, and then finally as Vice President of Student Affairs.  He retired in 2008, and I remember the strange feeling walking into his old office for the first time following my return to The College as the officer in charge of the Coast Guard Auxiliary program there.

I had met Sam on a campus visit when I was in high school.  He had lunch with me -- I ate a chicken sandwich -- and his evident love for The College was all the convincing I required to apply and accept.  He pointed several friends and I in the right direction when, during our sophomore year, we decided to start a business in Williamsburg.  I saw him personally and compassionately help another student through her own dark days a year later.  Then, one spring day when I was nearly out the door and on with life, the Queen of England visited campus, and Sam, seeing me in a crowd of people, called me over, shepherded me through the crowd, and situated me right in her path walking down from the portico of the Wren Building.  Then, more than a year after I graduated, I found myself having lunch with Sam once again, soaking up the best advice as I tried to determine where I wanted to take my life, and what sorts of adventures I wanted to go one next.  And so it was that Sam Sadler helped to shape some of the most formative (or, in the case of meeting the Queen, simply coolest) experiences of my life... and I was just one of thousands of students whose four years at The College occupied a mere tenth of the time he spent there.  I always found it incredible how available he was to the thousands of students that called The College home at any given time, how knowledgeable he was of the lives of so many of them, and how sincere he was in his hope that they all succeed.

It seems that everyone to pass through the Wren Buildings doors over a span of decades can tell similar stories, thus making it no surprise to anyone except for the recipient himself that W. Samuel Sadler ’64, M.Ed. ’71 was awarded a prestigious Alumni Medallion at Charter Day celebrations for the nation's second (or first, depending on your perspective) oldest college earlier this month.  I am sure he was just as surprised when students and alumni alike donned tee shirts emblazoned with the slogan "William & Mary & Sam" during his last days before retirement, or that soon thereafter the University Center was renamed the Sadler Center (thereby confusing every freshman on campus when twenty years worth of alums converged on campus the following Homecoming asking if they could find the event they were looking for in the "UC").  Indeed, the alumni magazine reported in its current winter issue:

“I truly have never felt that I did anything to deserve the attention I’ve gotten in the last few years,” he says. “My joy has come from the friendships and the associations and the opportunity to be of help in some way.

“To have an opportunity to spend your life trying to give back in appreciation for that is just an amazing gift,” he says. “I’ve been blessed with that already.”

George Srour '05 explains why, exactly, Sam Sadler does deserve the attention that he's gotten in the last few years:


So with this post I join the throngs thanking Sam for his service to to The College, to education, and to us -- for the way he was, to so many, a hero in our midst.  Congratulations, Sam Sadler on the award of the Alumni Medallion, a small but fitting thanks for the decades you spent making a difference to so many.

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