The Bridge Builder

Walt, with the KA-BAR he presented to John for serving FOCUS Marines.

“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.” – Albert Pike [Tweet this] | [Share on Facebook]

Each year I have the honor of speaking at my favorite nonprofit in Missouri, the FOCUS Marines Foundation. They serve men and women who enlisted for their country, fought oversees, came home, but continue to battle PTSD, survivors’ guilt, depression and physical injuries.

FOCUS gathers marines together for eight days on a beautiful ranch to connect with others and learn skills to grow physically, emotionally, professionally and relationally in order to begin living again.

One of their founders is named Walt Suhre. Walt enlisted with the Marines over six decades ago. He served his time, then graduated law school, worked hard for years and retired. His life has been an example of how the motto shared by marines, Semper Fi (Always Faithful) isn’t just a phrase echoed while in active duty, but one exemplified through the remainder of their lives.

Rather than simply retire and strive to improve his golf scores, Walt has continued to volunteer, impact and encourage. Even as he advances in his twilight years, he tirelessly and enthusiastically serves others less fortunate than himself.

I asked Walt why he remains so generous with his time, talent and treasure. With the ever-present grin he wears, he replied that others had helped him, it’s fun to help others, and there remains a mighty need.

I learned recently that Walt’s time as executive director for FOCUS is coming to an end. He’ll be shifting duties to another leader, and remain in supportive roles within the group. To celebrate this wonderful man and friend, I’d like to share one of my favorite poems.

It’s titled The Bridge Builder and was written by Will Allen Dromgoole. It reminds us that we can all still make a difference, there is still a mighty need, and the time has never been greater to knock down walls that separate and build bridges that unite.

An old man going a lone highway,
Came, at the evening cold and gray,
To a chasm vast and deep and wide.
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.

The old man crossed in the twilight dim,
The sullen stream had no fear for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to span the tide.

“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,
“You are wasting your strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day,
You never again will pass this way;
You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build this bridge at evening tide?”

The builder lifted his old gray head;
“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,
“There followed after me today,
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been as naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!”

My friends, we’ve all had others build bridges for us with great love: parents, guardians, siblings, teachers, rabbis, bosses, friends, children and strangers.

Today, pause and give thanks to those who came, risked, built and invested in us. We certainly could not have “crossed the chasm vast and deep and wide” without them.

And today, let’s remember there are many more following that may struggle crossing. Let’s serve like Walt and seek opportunities to build bridges for them, too.

This is your day. Live Inspired.

What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal. Walt has been a model of this in my life. Who has been a model in yours? Please share in the comments below.