Lee Ellis's Blog, page 49

Historical Highlight for September 17, 2023

Historical Highlight for September 17, 2023 ��� ���Welcomed Home with Open Arms��� – here’s a short historical fact from the history of the Vietnam war and the POW experience shared in the new ‘Captured by Love‘ book:

���Unlike most other Vietnam veterans, the returning POWs were warmly welcomed. Several things came into play to make that happen. The widespread effort by the National League of POW/MIA Families and the Go Public effort of the Nixon administration touched minds and hearts at every level of our society. Additionally, Pentagon leaders had been working for several years to plan for the return of POWs to their families. The process launched with the great name of ���Operation Homecoming.��� Also, the war was over, so the anti-war groups were shrinking back.

���It all started when we landed at Clark Air Base in the Philippines. There were crowds to greet us and crowds to say goodbye when we left two days later. And then there were crowds and parades waiting for us when we got home.

���We were much healthier than expected. Thanks to the pressure from the League, our government, and related world pressure, our treatment changed drastically in the fall of 1969. Thereafter, we received minimal harassment and torture. Additionally, after the Son Tay raid, we were typically locked in large rooms with cellmates who had experienced worse treatment and been there longer. This environment gave us what turned out to be a subtle version of group therapy and catharsis. The emotional healing that came in the prison camps during our last three years was instrumental in our recovery from the pain and stress of the POW experience.

���And then, when we were released, we were instantly transformed from being caged prisoners to being national heroes. The love we experienced brought much joy and more healing.

���Amazingly, the data shows that POWs who returned from the Hanoi system had a lower rate of PTSD than soldiers who fought in the south. We POWs are extremely sad that most of our Vietnam veterans were not honored when they came home. We believe that would have helped them to find healing from their terrible war experience.

���It���s been 50 years since the war ended, but it���s never too late to show appreciation and welcome home our Vietnam veterans.���

 

Purchase your copy of ���Captured by Love��� at powromance.com.

 

#Romance #Lovestory #Military #marriagegoals #Resilience #POW50th #VietnamPOW #Courage #Passion #CapturedbyLOve #LoveLessons

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A Special Message on National POWMIA Day

On National POWMIA Day, we remember the brave Americans throughout history who were captured by the enemy or are still missing and unaccounted for. In addition to my short video message below, here���s just one story that I wanted to share about Captain Brazelton.

Please watch and then see the continued message below the video –��

 

Captain Mike Brazelton was shot down by flak on 7 August 1966 on his 120th combat mission and captured as a POW. Here was his message upon his release in March 1973 ���

“After spending six and a half years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam, it is an understatement to say that ‘It’s good to be home.’ The experience that I and my compatriots underwent was, without a doubt, a filthy, frustrating, boring, monotonous, heart-breaking, uncomfortable, and (many times) painful existence.

“The extraordinary praise that has been directed at us since our return is, we feel, undeserved. It seemed obvious that we should have conducted ourselves as we did while prisoners. As military officers and men we did nothing more than what was our duty.

“The tremendous and enthusiastic reception that was part of home-coming has made me super-proud that I am an American. After looking at the face of the enemy for a considerable period of time, there is no doubt in my mind that the United States is the paragon of freedom regardless of imperfections that may exist.

“Those of us who were prisoners during this conflict have as much esteem and respect for our countrymen who supported their POWs as Americans seem to have for us. That support and devotion greatly helped our morale and physical well-being. Without it, many of us would not have returned with the good health, both physical and mental, that we did. And, perhaps, some might not have returned at all.

“When I try to think of the most profound statement possible with which I can express my thoughts, all I can say is: ‘It’s good to be home!'”

 

For his heroic service he was awarded four Silver Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, eight Air medals and two Purple Hearts. He has 330 hours combat flying time. Col Mike Brazelton retired from the Air Force in 1987 and retired as an American Airlines captain in 2002.

 

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Captured by Love Wisdom for Today, September 15, 2023

Captured by Love Quote ��� ���Forgive yourself (for weakness). Forgive your partner (for not being perfect). Forgive your enemy. Ben even forgave his captors! ���I have never found it in my heart to hate Hooknose, Goldtooth, or Spit. We were all players upon a larger stage, and each of us had to act according to the roles written for us.������ ��� Ben & Anne Purcell

 

#Romance #Lovestory #Military #marriagegoals #Resilience #POW50th #VietnamPOW #Courage #Passion #CapturedbyLOve #LoveLessons

 

 

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Great Week at the AFA Conference – Photos Inside

It was an inspiring week at the 2023 Air, Space, and Cyber Conference. Great presentations from our Air Force leaders and heart-warming to see so many old and new friends. Here are a few:

Gen Thomas Bussiere and Chief Melvina Smith, leaders of AF Global Strike Command.Two young fighter pilots were there to host AFROTC cadets,Alaskan Air Command/11th AF Command Chief Heath Tempel, andmy former cadet–now retired USAF Maj. Gen. Cameron Holt.

These were just a few of the many special friends who were at the conference where I had the privilege of speaking on Monday afternoon.

 

 

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George Washington���s Vision for America

The Biography Channel has created this brief 4-minute clip depicting the words of our nation���s first president, George Washington, when he retired as General of the Continental Army in 1783. Upon his retirement he wrote a letter called the ���Circular to the States��� in which he shared his vision of how America and its citizens could succeed or fail in the years to come. Please watch ���

#courage #leadership #accountability #buildingculture

 

 

 

 

 

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Communication Tips for Leaders on the Go

Leaders must learn to reflect on how and when to share their messages with a focus on both the mission/results side and the people/relationship side. It helps to stop and reflect on the following items:

 

What do I need to communicate ��� for both mission/results and people/relationships?To whom do I need to communicate?When do I communicate?How do I make sure that I know that people have heard���and understand���the message?

 

Communication is a key anchor to mission and life success, at work and at home. It���s the only way people can become aligned and integrated in their mission and their relationships. In my book Leading with Honor, I devote an entire chapter titled ���Overcommunicate the Message.��� Then my follow-up book, Engage with Honor, emphasizes communications in several chapters focused on clarifying, connecting, collaborating, and closing out with celebration or confrontation.

This theme has continued in my newest book, Captured by Love, where it���s very clear that communication was essential for good relationships and long-term marriages in these POW romance stories. So, back to the starting point. We must take time to reflect on our communications.

But there is one more challenge for all leaders, and it���s a big one for mission/results/task focused leaders.���

Learn to listen. It is not just about one-way communications���talking or transmitting. You must listen. For most leaders, listening is not easy because it���s not a natural talent/attribute. And many leaders think that since they are the leader, everyone should listen to them; it���s like a one-way street; they don���t have to listen to others. But that���s a huge mistake. First of all, others know lots of things leaders don���t know and second, others may have a different background and different perspective that can be of enormous importance.

Listening also has another extremely important contribution to your leadership- it makes people feel important and valuable when you truly listen to their perspectives. This gives them more confidence and more energy to perform at a higher level. LE

You can also read and watch the entire blog on this topic – “How to Win the Battle of Clear Communication”

 

 

#courage #leadership #accountability #employeeengagement #leadershipbehavior #teamdevelopment #buildingculture #keynotespeaker

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7 Core Behaviors for Creating Leadership Boundaries

Need some clear ethical boundaries for your family, team or organization? Core behavioral reminders for making daily decisions in your personal and professional life? Multiple thousands of leaders are using these 7 core behaviors to lead and work with honor.

For example, article #2 says, ���Be ethical. Operate within the laws of the land, the guidelines of your profession, and the policies of your employer.���

Please download your free copy of The Honor Code, and please share with others. ����

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Historical Highlight for September 10, 2023

Historical Highlight for September 10, 2023 ��� ���H. Ross Perot���Our Great Supporter & Friend��� – here’s a short historical fact from the history of the Vietnam war and the POW experience shared in the new ‘Captured by Love’ book:

���H. Ross Perot, US Naval Academy graduate (1953) and a wealthy businessman in Dallas, became the key supporter of the POW/MIA effort by the wives and families. His initiatives to fly the wives to Hanoi and embarrass the communists were obviously going to be turned back. But he knew it would attract the world press���and it did, serving the cause by putting our captors in a negative light in front of the world.

���He also provided chartered aircraft and covered expenses to fly POW/MIA wives and families to the Paris Peace Talks and other key locations. There they confronted our communist captors about their treatment of POWs, and their failure to identify all of the POWs, KIAs and MIAs of which they were aware.

���When we came home Mr. Perot wrote a check for $250,000 to bring the Son Tay Raiders and the Son Tay POWs and their wives/dates to San Francisco for a ticker-tape parade and a gala dinner. Actors John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and several others attended. We were entertained by songs from the Andrews Sisters and by a 35-minute standup comedy routine by Red Skelton. It was an amazing reunion and a great welcome home.

���Then, shortly after the White House Gala, Ross Perot, W. W. Clements, and about 20 other Dallas business leaders organized a two-day celebration called Dallas Salutes. There was a ticker-tape parade, a large dinner dance, and a celebration concert in the Cotton Bowl attended by more than 30,000 people. And, as you will see elsewhere in this book, one of the key entertainers in that event was Tony Orlando and Dawn singing their number one hit, ���Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree.���

���Mr. Perot continued to support the POWs in many ways until he passed 47 years after our return. His son Ross Jr. remains a devoted friend and supporter of our NAM-POW Association.���

Purchase your copy of ���Captured by Love��� at powromance.com.

 

#Romance #Lovestory #Military #marriagegoals #Resilience #POW50th #VietnamPOW #Courage #Passion #CapturedbyLOve #LoveLessons

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Leading with Honor Wisdom for Today, September 8, 2023

“Great leaders learn to communicate with their people by connecting with their hearts and letting them know they are cared about and valuable.” ��� Lee Ellis

#courage #leadership #accountability #employeeengagement #leadershipbehavior #teamdevelopment #buildingculture #keynotespeaker #CapturedbyLove

 

 

 

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Coaching Clip – Lessons to Communicate Better in Life and Work

One of the most effective ways to grow as a leader is by learning from the lives and experiences of others. In this month���s coaching clip, Lee shares several examples of how he and his POW brothers innovated to communicate with each other and stay connected. If you���re having challenges or want to grow in your communication with others, this advice can help.

Read the entire blog on this topic – How to Win the Battle of Clear Communication

 

Amazon Bestseller! 20 Top Gun Romance Stories

Captured by Love��shares the real love stories of 20 Vietnam War POWs. Some had wives who started a movement that changed American foreign policy. Others came home and had to start over, while five single men met the loves of their lives.

Former POW Lee Ellis and love expert Greg Godek take you on a dramatic journey of faithfulness, passion, excitement, resilience, and practical love lessons from these couples.

New Amazon Bestseller in the Military Families and Survival Biographies & Memoirs

Order Your Copy on Amazon.comRead some sample stories

Have you read Captured by Love and want to encourage others to read it? Post an Amazon Review.

 

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