In recognition of Veteran’s Day, preceding the opening and dedication of their Veterans Memorial, the Troy-Miami County Public Library hosted guest speaker Brock Heath in conjunction with their one-night display of an 1812 Congressional Medal of Honor on November 9. The historic medal was awarded to Corporal George Green of Company H, Eleventh Ohio Infantry under General Turshin during the Civil War.

Congressional Medal of HonorThe past and present collided as former Marine and Troy City Councilman Heath shared a unique vantage point concerning the plight of veterans as they reintegrate into civilian communities. His talk addressed the challenges facing veterans as they enter the workforce, how they interact socially and relationally, and their need for positive mental and spiritual conditioning. Heath’s Life and leadership Coaching business with Gauntlet Development uniquely qualified him to take on the topics. His book, “How to Succeed in the Civilian World” is a comprehensive plan for military men and women as they engage their new lifestyles on American soil as productive members of society.

“Veterans are a motivated group. When they get an order, if you tell them to do something, they’re on it,” Heath said. “But they need to feel purpose, like they’re doing something worthwhile.”

One of the greatest obstacles military service men and women encounter upon returning from active duty to civilian life is the integration into a workforce where the work ethic in fellow-employees differs from that of the veteran. Heath spoke to his own experiences working at a bank.

“When a fellow employee calls off work because they have a cold, you’re thinking “What? Are you kidding me?” Heath said. “Especially if you’re in charge of people, it’s easy to struggle with compassion. You want to tell them what real work looks like.”

Heath specifically addressed the needs of fathers and husbands who have come home from battlefields to learn what it is to be the gentleman role model their daughters and wives deserve. According to Heath, psychological disorders are endemic among servicemen. Often, their wives and children are unconsciously expected to be their counselors as they work through experiences from active duty. “This isn’t the way it’s supposed to be,” Heath said. “We need to be able to be there for our families, not just physically but in every other way rather than burdening them with things they don’t understand.”

His charge and encouragement to veterans was to see the greater purpose behind their new civilian lives. According to Heath, he’s found that purpose in his faith and his family. His charge to families, employers, and friends of returning veterans was to be patient, consistent, and straight-forward as we work together to grow the communities our veterans have fought to protect.

“We live in a country that is a light to rest of the world,” Heath said. “We did nothing to deserve it. You can’t earn what we’ve been blessed with here but we can offer our time and energy to bless and create a better future for others because of the gift we’ve been given.”