The Ancient Greeks knew how to write about their heroes. They did so constantly. Uniquely, in an era defined by the ethos of profound piety toward a pantheon of almighty gods, classicists note heroes were always mortals. To be a hero, your life had to be on the line.
Today, millennia later, that part hasn’t changed. But something else has — as a society, we don’t write about our heroes like we used to. Veterans all around Arizona are doing incredible things, and they all have a story to tell. I imagine a world where I’m able to tell them all.
And that’s why I’ve helped create American Veterans Magazine — to document the stories of our heroes and those who serve them. In this inaugural issue, you’ll find many such stories. I’m excited to share them with you.
Meet the Hero on Our Cover
Here’s a man who not only beat death at the hands of his enemies in combat, but who also beat death by his own hand. A man who slayed the demons lurking in his mind; a man who had everything taken away from him, but he never stopped giving back.
Stories of Bravery and Advocacy
You’ll also read the stories of brave veterans from our state taking their causes to Capitol Hill. Whether it’s passing legislation to build a mental health retreat or taking the fight against predatory diploma mills to the Department of Education, these local heroes triumph in the battles they face after service.
Uncovering the Anti-Heroes
Then, there are the anti-heroes. Military imposters who lie, cheat, and transgress written and unwritten rules for their own selfish gain. We’re exposing three unsettling cases of stolen valor in this magazine.
Emotional and Inspiring Tales
Some stories will make you smile, some will get you fired up, and others might jerk a poignant tear. I hope they’ll all leave you saying, “I learned something today.”
Please enjoy this inaugural edition, reach out to me with your feedback, and let me know what hero’s tale we should write next.
