DO SOMETHING THAT TRULY MATTERS

That’s a lesson I learned on May 30, 2020 in downtown Bakersfield, California. 

Just five days prior, George Floyd had been murdered by use of excessive force in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our country was on fire, waist-deep in a pandemic, and now racial tensions and divisions seemed ready to drive us apart. 

I wanted to do something. I wanted to help. 

I love people. I love this country of ours. I love our Constitution. I have it framed on the wall of my office and I have a copy of it in my truck. Seeing the grotesque abuse of the Fourth and Eighth Amendments against a fellow citizen outraged me and urged me to action. 

I left my hotel and made my way downtown. I found the protestors. I joined them. We marched. We chanted. We sang. But soon, the police showed up. 

Riot shields. Riot Gear. Armor. Helmets. Weapons. Fire Hoses. Dogs. Armored Vehicles. Police Helicopter Overhead. It was intimidating. 

But because of The Legion and the skill sets I’ve developed within it, I knew that if things got ugly, I could pay for legal defense of not just myself, but fellow protestors. I could afford to take the hit. I then felt compelled to use that safety net to try to broker peace between the police and us protestors. It was a way I could give back. 

I’m elated to say that night no blood was spilt, no property was defaced, no one was arrested; messages were sent, voices were still heard, and Democracy prevailed. 

And for the small part I was able to play, I owe it all to The Legion. 

This job has afforded me the opportunity to affect real change. That night, I’ve never been so proud to be an American. I’ve never been so grateful to be a salesman. I’ve never been so proud to be part of The Legion.

That’s what The Legion is all about. Community. Brotherhood. Service. And doing cool shit while we’re at it.