By Will Sheehan
From his desk in the Oval Office, Teddy Roosevelt once lamented that he’d rather be a recipient of the Medal of Honor than serve as president of the United States. At the U.S. Naval Academy, Roosevelt’s legacy looms large – his infamous “Man in the Arena” speech is considered scripture by each incoming freshman who memorizes and recites the prose throughout their Plebe year:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles … The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood.”
Brendan Looney of Silver Springs, Maryland, was the first of three brothers to enter Annapolis, trailed by Steve and Billy. He left more accomplished than he had arrived, an All-American lacrosse player slated to attend BUD/S. After graduation, Brendan became a Navy SEAL – deploying four times to Iraq and Afghanistan in 59 combat missions. On what was supposed to be his 60th mission, Brendan’s Black Hawk helicopter crashed outside Ayatalah Village, in the mountains of Afghanistan. He was 29 years old.
Steve and I were classmates back at Annapolis, and roommates during our first tour together as Intelligence officers. After Brendan died, both Steve and Billy volunteered to leave their current designations to attend BUD/S and serve as SEALs in their brother’s place.
In the wake of unfathomable loss, the Looney brothers stood to serve. Their story is inspirational, like the generations of service members who came before them; in response to tragedy, they chose service.
In 2001, Teddy Roosevelt finally got his Medal of Honor. I think if he were around today, the “Rough Rider” would have liked the Looney brothers.
On Veterans Day, we pause to thank our veterans – on behalf of a grateful nation, we thank you for stepping into the Arena.
Will Sheehan of Bayonne is the Legislative Director for the New Jersey Veterans Network and a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Find him on Twitter and Instagram @willsheehan_8.
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November 11, 2021 at 02:10AM
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In response to tragedy, they chose service | Opinion - NJ.com
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