#1946 Looking for Heroes

In our last +1, we chatted about the Johnson family trip to the Change of Command ceremony for my dear friend Captain Daryle Cardone, the (former) commanding officer of the USS RONALD REAGAN.

Today I want to continue our discussion of that Heroic adventure.

Let’s go back to the day BEFORE the ceremony.

So…

The kids and I flew out the morning before so we could attend a special tour of the REAGAN with Daryle and his family and friends.

Grandma and Grandpa drove down from Orange County (where I grew up!) to pick us up from the airport and join us for the special day.

We arrived on the base.

And…

We boarded the carrier.

Note: I got goosebumps typing that as I pictured the moment we approached the 1,092-foot carrier. I am always in awe when I feel into the physical embodiment of our nation’s commitment to protect the freedom’s on which our flourishing are dependent.

Now…

After we learned more about how the carrier works and how planes land and take off and the kids got to sit in the captain’s chair and pretend to steer the ship (!), we headed to the micro-museum on the boat celebrating President Ronald Reagan.

Note: Reagan was president when I was a little boy. I can still VIVIDLY remember visiting Washington D.C. and wearing a button with his face on it then writing him a letter telling him how much I loved our country.

I can see the autographed picture I got in return as I type this out. 🤓

So…

On the wall in that micro-museum, there’s a quote from Reagan.

Here it is…

“Those who say that we’re in a time when there are no heroes—they just don’t know where to look.”

Now…

That quote is from Reagan’s 1981 inaugural address. (Watch it here.) (Thanks for the heads up on that, Chris! 🫡)

Here’s the full quote:

“Those who say that we’re in a time when there are no heroes—they just don’t know where to look. You can see heroes every day going in and out of factory gates. Others, a handful in number, produce enough food to feed all of us and then the world beyond. You meet heroes across a counter—and they are on both sides of that counter. There are entrepreneurs with faith in themselves and faith in an idea who create new jobs, new wealth and opportunity.”

And…

That’s Today’s +1.

I can’t think of a better description of what it means to be Heroic.

Want to see a Hero today?

Just look around you.

And…

Look in the mirror.

Know this…

We are blessed to be served by countless heroes all day every day.

And…

From my perspective, it is our sacred obligation to do everything we can to give back in equal measure.

I wish I could reach through this screen, put my hands on your shoulders, look you straight in the eye, and say…

“YOU are the hero we’ve been waiting for.”

It’s time to activate our Heroic potential so we can change the world together.

Let’s go, Hero!!

🫡!!!