Veterans — Nobody asked me, but….

Op-ed: I’m a veteran and will #VoteTheOutdoors on election day

I am a veteran and an outdoor enthusiast who has spent the last 10 years working in the outdoor industry. Without a doubt, our industry is the first in which I experienced the same level of camaraderie and commitment to purpose as I did during my 22 years in the Navy on active and reserve duty.

This shared ethos is not surprising. Today’s outdoor industry and the $787 billion recreation economy it supports have roots that began over 70 years ago with the returning veterans of World War II. According to a Forest Service report published in 1989, the desire for outdoor recreation grew as millions of servicemen returned to civilian life.

Reflection, Veterans, OutdoorsDavid PetriOctober 22, 2020Outdoors, Public Lands, Veterans Comment

Johnny Ayers View

This song is a follow on from my poem Stolen Honor, it imagines a fictional soldier — Johnny Ayers — who was part of 1st Platoon and the impact the President’s unjustified actions had on him.

Veterans, Random Thoughts, ReflectionDavid PetriOctober 17, 2020Veterans, Leadership, AccountabilityComment

Stolen Honor

The poem is inspired by the true story of First Platoon and the Court Martial and subsequent pardoning of First Lieutenant Clint Lorance by President Trump. Their story can be found here.

Veterans, Reflection, Random ThoughtsDavid PetriAugust 17, 2020President Trump, Failed Leadership, Accountability, HonorComment

Perspective | Veterans don’t get to decide what ‘respecting the flag’ means

As a veteran I have been troubled by this idea that as a group we have the moral authority to claim our country’s iconography as righteously ours. That perceived disrespect towards our nation’s symbols is also a direct affront to those who have served in the military.

Reflection, Random Thoughts, VeteransDavid PetriSeptember 10, 2018Nike, Flag, National Anthem, Kneeling During Anthem, Kaepernick, TrumpComment

Honoring more than the Military on Independence Day

Several years ago, I wrote this for Memorial Day. In it I discussed how as of late, many Americans tend to treat every patriotic themed holiday as an ongoing celebration of our military – a type of political correctness that no one would question or find offensive. Of course there is nothing wrong with that – especially for the holidays intended to honor those serving and those who have served:

Armed Forces Day – a day to celebrate our currently serving military
Memorial Day – a day of remembrance for those who have died while serving
Veterans Day – the day we honor those who have served

As a retired naval officer, each of those holidays holds a special place of reverence in my heart. I am quite privileged to be included in this sacred fraternity.

VeteransDavid PetriJuly 4, 2018independence dayComment