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[10.02] The Long Walk Home: A Journey to True Freedom

• Veterans returning from the military often struggle with the transition home; their bodies are present, but their minds remain in another place.
• The “Long Walk Home” highlights the emotional and mental journey needed to reconnect with life after service.
• Families often misunderstand returning veterans, expecting the same person who left, leading to guilt and misplaced blame.
• Suicide intervention and prevention programs aim to help veterans shift their perspective and rebuild their lives.
• A “10 Challenges to Service” program supports veterans by fostering group discussions and shifting attitudes.
• Many veterans feel unprepared for civilian life due to insufficient transitional training upon discharge.
• Mandatory 12-week programs, similar to basic training, could better prepare veterans for reintegration into society.
• Personal responsibility and a shift in mindset are key to freedom and overcoming victimhood.
• True freedom comes with accepting responsibility for one’s life and striving to be a role model for others.

[21.41] The Journey of Joy and Purpose

• Ron Zaleski, affectionately called “Big Z,” exemplifies a life of purpose, service, and personal responsibility.
• A transformative realization post-9/11 led Ron to reject victimhood and embrace accountability for his actions.
• Service, as Ron defines it, transcends traditional notions—it’s about living a life that uplifts others.
• Ron uses the acronym “COG” to describe a Channel of Goodness and Child of God, emphasizing everyone’s vital role in life.
• Walking the Appalachian Trail barefoot became Ron’s way of penance and raising awareness for causes he believed in.
• His barefoot journey of over 2,000 miles symbolized resilience, connection, and a willingness to embrace discomfort for a purpose.
• The Appalachian Trail served as an analogy for life’s journey, with moments of solitude, interaction, and profound introspection.
• Ron believes that true change begins with oneself, not with changing others, fostering empowerment and joy.
• He inspires others by embodying the acronym “JOY”—the Journey of You, encouraging self-discovery and fulfillment.

[32.31] Walking Across America: A Mission of Awareness

• After the Appalachian Trail, Ron walked barefoot across the United States, advocating for veterans and spreading his message.
• His journey underscored the importance of having a plan and actionable steps to create meaningful change.
• Initially motivated to “change the world,” Ron shifted focus to inspiring individuals by pursuing what brought him joy.
• Ron’s realization: joy stems from doing what you love without expecting others to change or conform.
• His walks served as a mirror for others to reflect on their potential and ability to live fully.
• The act of walking barefoot symbolized vulnerability, commitment, and a reminder of life’s raw, unfiltered experiences.
• Ron highlights the significance of mindset over material circumstances—it’s about aligning thoughts, words, and deeds.
• Veterans face unique challenges, including a significantly high suicide rate, emphasizing the need for collective awareness.
• Ron continues his mission, wearing shoes now to experience life differently, always striving to inspire and uplift.

[39.00] The Lasting Impact of War on Young Soldiers

• Many soldiers enter the military as teenagers, barely out of childhood, and face life-altering challenges.
• Initial training often demands they act against the moral values they were raised with, creating internal conflict.
• Soldiers are thrust into life-and-death situations, performing actions they previously thought unimaginable.
• Upon returning home, they’re expected to simply “move on,” with little acknowledgment of the emotional toll.
• Often, veterans are left questioning their actions, their values, and the purpose of the wars they fought.
• Leadership decisions in prolonged conflicts frequently overlook the human cost, focusing instead on agendas like politics or economics.
• The lack of structured reintegration programs leaves veterans struggling to reconcile their experiences with civilian life.
• There’s a call for transformative programs at the end of service to help veterans channel their skills positively and heal from trauma.
• Gratitude and goal-setting, combined with structured support, are seen as critical tools for emotional recovery and reintegration.

[51.51]The Power of Purpose and Service

• Discussing the value of transforming lives, especially for veterans, into meaningful, productive, and joyful ones.
• Emphasizing the urgency of addressing the rising issue of suicide among military personnel and service workers.
• Exploring the need to step out of comfort zones to grow and find purpose in life.
• Encouraging mindfulness through small changes, like brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand.
• Highlighting the impact of community-driven initiatives over reliance on government actions.
• Sharing the acronym WALK: Wisdom, Awakens, Love, and Kindness, as a philosophy for living purposefully.
• Inspiring others to engage in mentorship and support programs to help those in need.
• Promoting the book The Long Walk Home, which includes challenges to foster connections and support for veterans.
• Ending with heartfelt gratitude, emphasizing the importance of sharing joy and making a difference in the world.

Nicole Iny is the Executive Director of Grants and Consumer Education at FAIR Health, a national, independent nonprofit organization that qualifies as a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code. FAIR Health possesses the nation’s largest collection of private healthcare claims data, which includes over 47 billion claim records. It is dedicated to bringing transparency and integrity to healthcare costs and health insurance information through data products, consumer resources and health systems research support.

Topics:

• What is FAIR Health?
• What types of tools and resources are offered on FAIRHealthOlderAdults.org?
• What obstacles do older adults and family caregivers face when navigating the healthcare system, and what strategies can they use to find the services and support they need?
• Have you received any feedback from patients and/or their caregivers about the shared decision-making resources available on the FAIR Health consumer website?
• Where can patients, family caregivers and healthcare providers find more information?

Ron grow up in the Hamptons 3rd Generation Polish the oldest of 7 children lead by a father that had P’TS from serving in WWII and was an alcoholic. At the age of 17 he went into the Merchant Marines and later at the age of 19 won the draft lottery (his number was 34) and went into the USMC with his childhood friend on the buddy plan in 1970. Had orders to go to VN which were changed so he stayed stateside while his buddies went overseas where they all got shot and 2 died. After getting out he stopped wearing shoes as a memorial to his friends that died and suffered for his freedom. He also had trouble with civilians and lived in the woods for a year before using the GI bill to go to college. He lived the life of a victim blaming everyone for everything until 9/11 when he realized he was the problem and decided to do something about it.