There Are Fates Worse Than Death

Lt Col. Mike "Johnny Bravo" Drowley is an Airman in the United States Air Force. Lt. Col. Mike Drowley believes there are fates worse than death. It is his undying commitment to others that guides his actions and decisions. He has bravery like few others we meet in normal society. He has humility like few others we meet in normal society. His character is very typical of many of those who put on a uniform and volunteer to serve a cause bigger than themslves.

I am proud to share this video with you from the first ever TEDx event hosted by a DoD organization. The theme of service rang loud from beginning to end. Unlike other TEDx events I've been to at which many of the speakers are very concerned about getting their talks on the main TED.com site. The speakers at TEDx Scott AFB came for a different reason: to serve. To share their stories with the hope that the things they have learned will inspire more people to put others before themslves.

May his words inspire you.

p.s. As is the case of many of the speakers that day, Johnny Bravo left out some of the details that would make him seem like he was bragging. So I will share them. As a result of his actions in the first story he tells, 22 people went home alive with no casualities. And Johnny Bravo returned home that day with a bullet hole through his wing.