Veterans Month: Lessons on Courage, Faith & Gratitude

November is a month filled with gratitude — from Thanksgiving gatherings to moments of reflection about the year that’s passed. But beyond the pumpkin pies and holiday prep, November holds a deeper purpose: it’s Veterans Month, a time to honor the men and women who’ve served our country with courage, sacrifice, and unwavering faith.

And this year, I want to start with a very special birthday shoutout.

Happy Birthday, Captain Charlie Plumb

Today, November 3rd, marks the birthday of a man whose story has inspired millions — Captain Charlie Plumb.

If you’ve never heard of Captain Plumb, you need to. He’s a decorated U.S. Navy fighter pilot who spent 2,103 days as a prisoner of war in Vietnam — that’s nearly six years of unimaginable hardship. His plane was shot down just five days before his combat tour ended. Yet when he came home, instead of bitterness, he brought back an unshakable sense of purpose.

Captain Plumb’s story is one of endurance, gratitude, and perspective. Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting him several times, and each encounter left a deep impact on me. He’s one of those rare people who looks you in the eye, smiles, and somehow reminds you of what really matters in life.

He’s also an incredible speaker — the kind of storyteller who can turn pain into power.

If you haven’t yet, go check out his website at CharliePlumb.com and grab a copy of his book, I’m No Hero, released in 2023. It’s a must-read for anyone who’s ever faced adversity. Here’s my own signed copy — Captain Plumb even wrote a sweet message to my son, something I’ll cherish forever.

You can follow him on Instagram @captcharlieplumb and on Facebook. Go wish him a happy birthday — and let him know how much his story still inspires new generations.

A Story About Mr. and Mrs. Lambert

Hearing Captain Plumb talk about faith and perseverance reminded me of a man I met many years ago — Mr. Lambert— and his wife, Mrs. Betty.

Back when I was working as a night auditor at a hotel, I met this sweet couple who came in one evening to rent a room for a single night. Mr. Lambert was a World War II veteran and had later served in some capacity during the Korean War. He was battling cancer, and doctors had told him he only had a week or two to live.

His wife, Mrs. Betty, had tried to check him into hospice that day, but Mr. Lambert refused. He was stubborn — in the best way possible. So, she gave in, saying, “Let’s stay at a hotel tonight, calm down, and try again tomorrow.”

Well, one night turned into two.
Two nights turned into two and a half years.

That’s right — they lived in that hotel for over two years. Mrs. Betty cared for him daily, took him to doctor appointments, and never once checked him into hospice.

And when Mr. Lambert finally passed, Mrs. Betty’s words at his funeral echoed in my heart:

“The doctors gave him two weeks. But love, faith, and God gave us two and a half more years of memories.”

That line has stayed with me ever since.

Faith, Love, and the Spirit of Veterans Month

What I learned from Mr. and Mrs. Lambert — and from Captain Plumb — is that real courage doesn’t always wear a uniform.

Sometimes, it looks like a husband and wife holding hands in a hotel room, refusing to give up.
Sometimes, it looks like a man surviving six years as a prisoner of war and returning home to tell the world that joy is still possible.
And sometimes, it looks like you — showing up for your family, choosing gratitude, keeping faith even when the world feels heavy.

Veterans Month is about honoring those stories. It’s about remembering that freedom isn’t free — and that strength often looks quieter than we imagine.

Romans 12:10 says:

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

That verse perfectly captures what I see in our veterans and their families. Their devotion, their sacrifice, their humility — that’s what makes America strong.