A very special young man, Paul Tran, who I met through my son’s gun-building community and now consider a friend, wrote what I consider to be one the most remarkable posts I’ve ever seen on social media about “being his own soldier“. Although he wrote it some months ago and I immediately knew I’d be blogging it, I wanted the perfect “day” for its debut. Well, that day is today, in honor of his beloved homeland’s 70th Anniversary of “Hanoi Liberation Day“. He wrote:

“YOUR OWN SOLDIER!”

You don’t need a military ID to prove that you are a soldier. You can prove it on the battlefield. I’m my own soldier. Over the years in my life, I always try to find my answer and what l’m worth fighting for. I finally got my answer. I fight and defend for my friends, family, and loved ones. That is what I am fighting for. Being a soldier is strength, courage, intelligence, and hope. I’m soldier of Vietnam, the Great Southern Gun & Knife Show, and the gun community of the United States and Canada. I don’t care about getting medals or being a hero. I only care about inspiring others to believe in themselves and be your own soldier. Fight what you believe in what is right for you. Choose your own fight, battle, and war. Fight and defend your friends, family, and loved ones. If your friends, family, and loved ones are human or not. I always love, care, and protect them. Fight for the people you love in your life. I will show the enemy. I’m not afraid of the enemy because I won’t back down without a fight. I will raise my guns on the battlefield. I will fight like hell, Army or not. I will keep on fighting until the end! It doesn’t matter if the enemy is from our world or another world.

I’m a soldier!

I fight what I believe is right and fight for peace and freedom. I will be the last soldier standing on the battlefield. My heart and spirit will carry on the strength and courage inside of me as a soldier.

Keep on fighting until the war is won!

(by Commander Paul Tran)

For the record, I have never come across a person who is so vehemently and unapologetically proud of his homeland and nationality, which in and of itself is remarkable. Commander Tran, my friend? I SEE YOU! You got this, young man! SOLDIER ON!