22 Comments

What a life changing week! I’m so happy for you (and Jess :)

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Thanks, it was a cool experience for sure and definitely filled my cup.

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Congrats on the trip and a story well told.

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Thanks man, apparently we were pretty close to your world. Someone said at one point we were like 30-45 min from Idaho

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Missoula is a 4 hour drive for me, Thompson Falls is 6. But you were right on the border of North Idaho.

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Ah gotcha.

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You keep surprising me Another great piece Glad you took the risk Surviving is not living living requires risk Taking risks equals less regrets when you reach my age I am interested learning more about your book club I discovered our class looking for a veterans book club based out of NC

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Patrol Base Abbate is a good organization. You should be able to sign up at the link I posted at the bottom of this article. But try this one and click book club when you sign up. Robert from our writing class was out in Montana with me. https://www.pbabbate.org/sign-up I believe they meet once a month or so on zoom with people from all over. They do meet ups sometimes out in eastern NC near camp lejune area but I’ve only ever done the zoom stuff and now Montana. So they’re not based out of NC BUT there is a chapter of the larger club with people on the coast I believe. Check it out for sure.

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I love this. I am so happy you had the opportunity to do this. What an awesome experience & you are right the place is absolutely beautiful!

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I absolutely needed it so I’m glad I got go to it and they’re doing such a good thing

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Community is indeed where we build it.

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Absolutely!

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What a wonderful story. I am so glad you went. I am equally glad that you were able to take away from that experience something inside of you that will last a lifetime. What a great read! Love and hugs

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Man, oh man, what a multidimensional trip— good and bad -happy and sad but growth nevertheless in many ways, I’m sure… Particularly loved the observations in the airport. I did identify with a lot of that— bottom line is I hate to fly but sometimes you have to right?

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Absolutely

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It was life changing for sure!

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What a story to tell! So happy your wife encouraged you to go and it was worth it in the end. Love the photos!

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Thanks! I’m glad too haha

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Beautiful writing and beautiful photos, Stan. Thank you, as always, for sharing your very human vulnerabilities through your extraordinary gifts.

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Thank you so much for reading. I’m almost kicking myself for not bringing a “real” camera but my intent with this trip was to experience it vs produce content if that makes sense, but as a photographer I couldn’t not grab iPhone shots because that place is so gorgeous haha

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Love it brother. So thankful I was able to share the experience with you and the rest of the Tribe!

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Likewise man. I’m forever grateful to you guys. I still haven’t fully processed the experience.

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