TRG teammates have a long line of family members who have served or are currently serving. We have so much gratitude for those veterans because we know that the freedom we have to own our own business is due to the sacrifices and commitment of those who serve.
Today, TRG would like to recognize a veteran who holds a special place in our collective hearts. Capt. Charlie Plumb graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1964, earning is Navy Wings of Gold in 1966. He went on ty fly the F-4 Phantom jet with fighter squadron VF-114. Capt. Plumb was assigned to aircraft carrier USS Kittyhawk and flew 74 successful combat missions over Vietnam. On his 75th mission, with five days to go before he was to return home, his plane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile, resulting in his capture. He spent a total of 2,103 days (nearly 6 years) as a POW in North Vietnamese prison camps.
Capt. Plumb faced isolation, torture, hunger and pain. He endured the most difficult situation imaginable, and mostly unimaginable to most of us. While his story is filled with horrors and atrocities, his message is of hope, resilience and strength of human spirit.
TRG teammates first met Capt. Plumb in 2002 where we heard his story of survival. We learned through his story the possibilities to overcome extreme adversity. We heard how Capt. Plumb and his fellow prisoners worked together to communicate and support each other, to excel even through the darkest of days.
While listening to his story it might be hard to understand how his story of extreme difficulties can relate to our everyday lives, but it absolutely does. In his story, Capt. Plumb tells of his early days as a prisoner and feelings of misery, defeat and helplessness. Then another prisoner reaches out and tell Capt. Plumb that the real prison causing him suffering is the prison of his mind. Thinking that you are helpless and defeated will seal your fate but understanding that we all have a greater strength within us to push us beyond the limits of our situation helps us rise up, face our challenges.
Over the last 16 years, TRG has had the privilege to hear Capt. Plumb speak many times. Each time we get something new from his story and his message. Capt. Plumb went on to serve for 31 years as a Naval Pilot and now shares his story around the world.
Thank you, Capt. Plumb for your heroic service and for sharing your amazing story with the world. You can learn more about Capt. Plumb in his book I’m No Hero and on his website https://charlieplumb.com/
Thank you to all Veterans for protecting our freedom.