Service, Not Glory

I want to take a moment to properly appreciate a recent milestone in our family. There’s a saying: To lead people, you have to love people. To save people, you have to serve people. That quote has always resonated with me because it perfectly captures the essence of servant leadership. Lately, it’s starting to feel like a family motto.

Congratulations to my son, Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Walsh. Earlier this month, he was honored by his fellow soldiers in a ceremony recognizing his upcoming retirement after more than 20 years of service. His career has included five deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as multiple attachments to Secret Service details, protecting our nation’s leaders—including Presidents Obama, Trump, and Biden.

We couldn’t be prouder of his dedication. He began his military journey serving in the 82nd Airborne as an infantryman, and for the past 16 years, he has been an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) technician—a role that demands incredible skill, precision, and courage. For those of us mere mortals, that means he was a bomb tech.

It’s hard to put into words just how proud our family is of Jeremy’s career. He enlisted at the age of 17, just weeks before his 18th birthday. During his retirement ceremony, he shared that he made that decision intentionally—he wanted his parents’ blessing before taking such a significant step. We gave it without a moment’s hesitation. His mother and I knew exactly what it meant to him; he had been planning for a military career since middle school. He left no room for doubt when he joined his high school’s Junior ROTC program on the very first day it was established on his campus.

As parents, we often wonder what path our children will take and what kind of impact they will make on the world. Jeremy never left us guessing—his dedication to service was clear from the very start. From a young age, he had the heart of a soldier, the mind of a leader, and the unwavering commitment of someone who truly understood what it meant to serve.

Now, as he prepares for the next chapter, we know his legacy of service, leadership, and sacrifice will continue to inspire not only our family but also those who have had the privilege of serving alongside him. Retirement from the military may mark the end of one journey, but it’s also the beginning of another.

Whatever comes next, we have no doubt that Jeremy will approach it with the same sense of duty, courage, and excellence that have defined his career.

Congratulations, son. Your family stands in awe of all that you have accomplished, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for you.