💣️ Bomb Squad Leader to Father of Five

Today in 5 minutes or less you'll learn:

• A parenting lesson learned as a bomb squad leader in Afghanistan

• Health benefits of sourdough bread. Bring on the carbs!

• How bison became our national mammal

I (Luke) spent four years in the Army on active duty as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officer, better known as the bomb squad 💣️.

During that time I completed an eighth month tour to Afghanistan in 2011-12 in support of special forces (green berets) as a platoon leader. I was responsible for leading multiple bomb squad teams.

It was an honor to serve with some of the bravest men and women on the planet! Through this experience I learned a lot of life lessons as a young man and leader.

My teams completed over 350 combat missions facing enemy combatants on a regular basis and their courage inspired me every day. I’m a better man, husband, and parent because of these experiences and those I served with.

One of the most important lessons I learned working with the special operations community that I have carried with me as a father and husband is the never quit mindset.

Let me explain. You see when my teams and I were assigned to the special forces teams; we would do weapons training, physical fitness, and fully integrate with the team prior to the deployment to Afghanistan. Some of my team members were great technicians but were not physically ready for what they were about to face.

What mattered even more though was their ability to persist through the pain or challenge in front of them and NOT quit. This was of utmost importance in the special operations community. As small units they have to be able to rely on each other.

Whenever we conducted training we had to be determined that no matter what there was no quitting. This earned the respect of the teams and they knew no matter how bad it may get in combat we would have their back and they could count on us.

What’s this have to do with parenting? I’ll tell you!

#1 My wife and I must be confident that we will never quit each other. We must not get confused as parents. Too many of us elevate our children above the marriage.

Parenting starts with the two of us. No matter how tough it gets, no matter what argument we have, no matter what challenge we face. We must commit that we will never quit each other. We press forward, fight shoulder to shoulder, and always have each others back.

Unfortunately, fatherlessness is an epidemic in our society. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 18.4 million children, 1 in 4, live without a biological, step or adoptive father in the home.

Click HERE to see the detrimental statistics that father absence has on kids.

Father’s matter! Don’t quit men! You can do this!

We look forward to Silver Lake Bison Farm making a positive impact on the lives of fatherless children in our community.

#2 Far more is caught then taught to our children. We all want to raise courageous and successful children. Our children are always watching us and we must first demonstrate ourselves what we want to see in them.

The best way to do this is creating an environment built on courage, persistence, and encouragement. A successful special forces team build their success in the same way.

As parents we should not elevate performance over perseverance. If we do this we run the risk of our children finding their value in their performance and not their character. Celebrate perseverance!

We all mess up and fail. As a family come together as a unit and expect and encourage each other to push through and face the storm. Character is built amongst trials not comfort. It’s guaranteed we will each fail at some point along the way, pick each other up and never quit on each other.

Financial literacy poll results:

On a scale from 1-10, with 10 being the best, how financially literate would you rate your children?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 1 (2)

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ 4 (1)

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ 5 (1)

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ 6 (1)

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ 10 (1)

6 Votes

via @beehiiv polls

I may be a bit biased since he included a quote from me in his book (can you find the page?). But If you’re looking for another great financial education resource for educating your kids on financial literacy check out this book by Chad Willardson, President of Pacific Capital, Smart Not Spoiled.

There is nothing like homemade sourdough bread! Not only is it delicious, but there are so many health benefits. I had no idea! My wife, Megan, makes some incredible bread and it’s quickly become a staple in our home.

I mean who doesn’t love some healthy carbs right?!

In fact, here are a few of the benefits of eating sourdough bread.

1. Better Digestibility: Sourdough bread is naturally fermented, which allows the breakdown of complex sugars and proteins. This can make it easier to digest for people with gluten sensitivities or digestive issues.

2. Nutrient-Rich: Sourdough bread contains a higher amount of nutrients compared to other bread because the fermentation process creates more available nutrients, such as B vitamins, iron, zinc, and magnesium.

3. Lower Glycemic Index: Sourdough bread has a lower glycemic index than other bread, which means it has a slower impact on blood sugar levels. This can help regulate blood sugar and reduce the risk of diabetes.

4. Longer Shelf Life: The natural acidity in sourdough bread acts as a natural preservative, which gives it a longer shelf life than other bread.

5. Unique Flavor: Sourdough bread has a distinct, tangy flavor that many people find delicious and satisfying.

If you still don’t believe me check out this article HERE on the benefits of sourdough bread from a dietitian.

If you don’t have the time to make it yourself, but would love to have some in your home for your family, we’ve got you covered. Check out our link below and order Megan’s sourdough bread delivered to your front door weekly or bi-weekly if you live in the central Ohio area.

Did you know the American bison, also known as the buffalo, was declared the national mammal of the United States on May 9, 2016, when the National Bison Legacy Act was signed into law.

The legislation was a result of a bipartisan effort by Congress to recognize the cultural, historical, and ecological significance of the bison in the United States.

By designating the bison as the national mammal, Congress aimed to raise awareness of the important role bison played in American history and culture, as well as highlight the species' ecological and economic importance as a symbol of sustainability, biodiversity, and the nation's ability to restore and conserve wildlife populations.

The National Bison Legacy Act also recognized the bison's status as an official symbol of the United States, alongside the bald eagle, the national bird, and the American flag, the national symbol.

When bison see a storm coming they don’t run away like a cow. Instead they choose courage and Face the Storm!

Purchase a hat for yourself or a child in your life to be a reminder that when challenges come you can choose to face it head on just like the bison!

Kid sizes and adult sizes available!