![\"bill-robinson\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.karlbradley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Bill-Robinson.jpg?resize=230%2C300&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nIn honor of Veteran’s Day, I thought it would be appropriate to share the story of a man I had the pleasure of meeting earlier this year. \u00a0Although our meeting was brief, his story is a powerful one that enters my thoughts often. \u00a0Growing up with several kids whose parents served in the Vietnam war, this is another example of the selfless sacrifice our men & women in uniform have endured over our nation’s history. \u00a0His experiences struck me so profoundly, I chose it as the subject of a speech I gave soon after our meeting. \u00a0As a tribute to all our Veterans here are some of the details of his heroic journey.<\/p>\n
Serving as a helicopter Crew Chief in the US Air Force, then Airman First Class Bill Robinson was shot down & captured on September 20, 1965, in North Vietnam. \u00a0He was a resident of several prison camps from 1965-1973. \u00a0He is the longest enlisted prisoner of war in American military history, surviving an astounding 2,703 days.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
When he first arrived he was subjected to a mock execution by firing squad.\u00a0 They fired 6 times\u2026.all blanks.\u00a0 After that, he knew he would survive because it would have been easy to kill him but he was spared.\u00a0 He gave others hope when he emerged from daily torture with a smile on his face.\u00a0 This simple act had a deep & lasting impact on the relationship he had with other POWs.\u00a0 For the first 3 \u00bd years he was listed as Missing In Action, further worrying his family regarding his status.<\/p>\n
Only 1 out of every 5 aircrew members shot down survived during the\u00a0war.\u00a0 Bill Robinson kept himself going with this mantra; “yesterday was when I was captured, today is now & tomorrow I\u2019m going home”.\u00a0 This optimism helped him deal with the animosity he felt toward\u00a0his captures.<\/p>\n
Below\u00a0are just a few of the milestones\u00a0the longest enlisted POW in American history missed.\u00a0 What would you have missed if you were absent for over 7 years?<\/p>\n
In 1965 the \u201cSound of Music\u201d premiered; the \u201cBig Bang\u201d theory won the Nobel Prize<\/p>\n
In 1966 \u201cStar Trek\u201d premiered; \u201cThe Pill\u201d was released; Walt Disney died<\/p>\n
In 1967 PBS created; racial violence in Detroit, MI<\/p>\n
In 1968 \u201c60 Minutes\u201d debuted; MLK was assassinated<\/p>\n
In 1969 Neil Armstrong & Buz Aldrin landed on the moon; “Woodstock”<\/p>\n
In 1970 the Beatles broke up; Monday Night Football debuted; the floppy disc came out<\/p>\n
In 1971 M.A.S.H. debuted; racial desegregation passed the Supreme Court<\/p>\n
In 1972 the CAT scan was developed; HBO debuted; Title IX came out<\/p>\n
In 1973 the MRI was developed; Watergate scandal; Roe v. Wade decision<\/p>\n
Years after being released, he was invited back to Vietnam to reconcile with his captures.\u00a0 He accepted gifts from the female guard featured on the\u00a0postage stamp below & who he stated was just “doing her job”. \u00a0On the trip, he refused to shake hands with the male guard who \u201cenjoyed\u201d his job of torture & killing.\u00a0 This was one of the ways he dealt with his resentment by putting pressure on the guard to reconcile his own actions.<\/p>\n
![\"bill-robinson-stamps\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.karlbradley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Bill-Robinson-Stamps.jpg?resize=300%2C230&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n
Awareness of his story of courage can help us as leaders in helping others get through personal & professional difficulties. \u00a0To avoid living a life full of resentment we must address events & frame them properly to move on effectively.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s obvious to everyone who meets him that his resentment has faded to disappointment\u2026..and that, it seems, he has learned to\u00a0live with. \u00a0He was asked what freedom meant to him, he simply replied; \u201cDoors with knobs on the inside.\u201d<\/p>\n
So, on this Veteran’s Day, thanks to all the brave men & women who have risked so much in service to our nation. \u00a0It’s my hope we all find time to reflect on what the gift of freedom means to each of us. \u00a0Thanks, Captain (retired) Bill Robinson for your example of endurance in the face of so much adversity!<\/p>\n
All the best,<\/p>\n
Karl<\/p>\n