Friends,

In all the conversations I’ve had with our community of servant leaders in recent weeks, the prevailing sentiment expressed to me has been one of frustration. Frustration with our leaders for their constant political posturing and lack of accountability. Frustration with fellow Americans for long ago disengaging from our nation’s longest conflict. And, perhaps most disheartening of all, frustration with themselves as they consider the unavoidable questions that come along with ending 20 years of war — “what was it all for?” and “what more could I have done?” As the founder of an organization committed to the development and empowerment of this generation of servicemembers, I write with a brief note about the past and an offer for the future.

First, to the veterans in our community, I can only imagine the thoughts and emotions you must be processing right now. Cable news pundits and opinion columnists will debate the politics and take turns assigning blame, always with the benefit of hindsight and never with the risk of any true loss. Let them. No matter the outcome, you answered the call, you did your duty, and there is dignity in the sacrifice you made for others. You served your country, and whether you did it in or out of uniform, at home or abroad, I hope that in this moment you’re able to find solace and pride in that service, because it mattered.

As for the future, we offer you an opportunity to channel that frustration for good. If this moment has shown us anything, it’s that our nation needs political leaders who know what it means to put others first, leaders who have seen the consequences of poor planning and politics-first decision making, and who will carry those lessons forward. I hope you will get involved with the initiatives we have underway do just that.

Get in touch with our talent development team about becoming a candidate yourself, or nominate a servant leader you know. Or, invest in the work we do to elect new leaders with a monthly donation of $10 or whatever you can afford.

In service,

Emily Cherniack Founder & Executive Director