Marshall Ramsey

When America needed Major Richard “Dick” Winters, he stepped up and rose to the occasion. A decorated Army veteran of the Second World War, Major Winters was the biggest brother in Band of Brothers. He led his men in the 101st Airborne as they fought across Europe from D-Day to Germany.  And his tactics on taking a gun placement on the “Longest Day” are still taught at West Point. He served with distinction. He served with pride.

When his family needed Major Winters, he rose to the occasion again. He, like so many other men and women, came home and quietly worked to make this country the Superpower it became in the 20th Century. Major Winters came home from the war and  lived a quiet life raising his family in Pennsylvania until fame came knocking on his door.  That fame was brought first by Stephen Ambrose’s book “Band of Brothers” and then with the  subsequent HBO miniseries.

When his men needed Major Winters, he yet again rose to the occasion.  Not only was he there for them on the battlefield, he was there after the war as well. He meticulously protected their memories through his record keeping of their accomplishments.  He made sure their story was told correctly. He kept his fallen soldiers’ memories alive.

Major Winters died last week at the age of 92. He lived a good life — no he lived a great life.  And his life is worthy of emulation.  He would’ve been the first person to argue that he wasn’t a hero, but his actions in life proved he truly was.

When someone like Major Winters dies, I say a prayer that someone steps forward and fills the deceased’s  shoes.  So today, I pray for someone to be like Major Winters. I pray he or she steps up and does what is right. What is needed. I hope he or she does it with half the class and quiet determination Major Winters did. America needs you, whoever you are.

Godspeed Major Winters. America thanks you for all you’ve done for her.

The following is a guest review I wrote for eatjackson.com.

If you ever wondered what a China Shop owner’s face looks like when a bull walks in, take three boys under the age of 11 into a white-table restaurant.  You can hear sphincters slam shut when you walk in the door.  My wife and I took our little bulls to Char Restaurant off of I-55 N in Jackson’s Highland Village Shopping Center celebrate my recent birthday.  Being the lead in ‘Spiderman the Musical’ is less dangerous.

It was Christmas party season; so even though the lobby was crowded with people waiting to be seated for their parties, our wait was very short. And when you are eating with customers who are also very short, a short wait is a very good thing. My three-year-old greeted the incoming customers. My eight-year-old flirted with the hostesses.  I prayed that our name would be called.  Not only because I feared disaster. I was hungry…

To read the rest, go to eatjackson.com

There’s a black cat that lives in my neighborhood. He runs like Snooki toward a tanning bed when he sees me. My wife and I joke that our luck has been so bad lately that he’s afraid we’ll cross his path.  Of course, it’s a joke. In reality,  we’ve had some amazing people cross our paths the past two months.  Their crossing has come at the very moment it was needed. And brought us GOOD luck.

Right after I was made part-time, I got a Facebook message from a local car dealer.  He wanted to have lunch and talk.  I like lunch so I said, “Sure.”  I walked out of that restaurant two hours later convinced angels walk this Earth. He said everything I needed to hear at that moment.  He told me how he had faced a similar situation and plowed through it. How everything had worked out for him.  He put me on a path away from self-pity toward achievement.

There are times I have doubt.  Huge doubt. And there are times negative people drag me down.  I’m like a sponge and can absorb negative emotions of those around me.  So I’ve made it a goal to gravitate toward my friends who can see the glass half full of hope. And sometimes, like this week, those friends seem to come find me.

I’ve been having another rough week this week.  I’ve been down in the dumps — but right at my lowest point, I got another message from another business leader.  We had a lunch meeting and he told me about the possibilities that lie ahead of me. How I can go out and not only provide for my family, but use my talents in amazing ways. I can help people. I walked out of there fired up and ready to take on the world.

So what kind of person are you?  Do you bring people hope? Do you motivate them to do great things? It doesn’t have to be loud, cheesy or in their face. I’m not telling you to become a self-help guru. Quiet support can move mental mountains of doubt.  Let people know you are there for them. Because you never know who you motivate and how. I’ve been blessed to have amazing friends and family motivate me lately.  They’ve let me know they are there. It’s time for me to cross a few other people’s paths and return the favor.

Now to go find that black cat. I need to cross his path and give him some good luck.