I had also met two World War II veterans that frequent the post and, over time, developed a bond with them. My friend had an inspiration one day in June that he wanted to take our two veterans, along with other veterans in the Houston area, to New Orleans on an all-expenses-paid vacation to visit the World War II National Museum. He asked if I would be interested in helping him raise funds to make this happen.

I reached out to Sandra Broughton, our global head of Travel, and Travis Boone, our West Region Executive, and asked if ArchTam would consider donating points for the veterans who were interested to stay at the new Hilton Higgins Hotel, which is affiliated with the museum and located directly across the street. Without hesitation, both agreed to reach out to leadership and within a couple of days, I was given the okay.

With the help of a couple additional friends, we began fundraising and were able to support the 12 veterans and their families that would be traveling with us. We raised enough money to add an additional night as well as set up first class transportation on a coach bus, reserve a locally famous restaurant for their celebratory dinner and provide small excursions while we were in town. Necessary precautions were taken in making this trip happen while COVID cases were on the rise, keeping the families informed on all that we were doing to keep our heroes safe.

But despite these efforts, there were circumstances that were out of our control. Our trip was scheduled for August 27 and two days before departure, Ida began her path straight for New Orleans. We ended up traveling with seven veterans since several canceled due to the storm.  One of the veterans who decided to join us was 100 years old and laughed at the idea that he would stay home because of “a little rain.” These men are tough!

As people from the Gulf Coast, we are familiar with storm paths and monitoring the models. We spoke to locals at the museum and decided that with the forecasted Monday afternoon landfall, we would go ahead and make this weekend trip happen for our veterans. We left at six o’clock in the morning on Friday with a full police and military motorcycle escort, who ushered us the entire six-hour drive to New Orleans. As we watched the storm intensify quickly, we had to make changes. We were able to get to the museum a day earlier and get clearance to leave after just one night in The Big Easy, but it was a trip these veterans whole-heartedly appreciated. The road home took 18 hours but they were on a comfortable bus with their families, fully stocked with food and water (and a bar because they LOVE to drink) as well as a bathroom, games, pillows, music and, most importantly, memories. Not only did they not complain once, but they got off the bus and asked when the next trip was leaving.

I was blessed to have this trip supported by ArchTam as well as my colleagues. My family was able to travel along with me and my sons, who are 14 and 16, told me it was an experience they will never forget. We all sat at dinner shedding happy tears, watching these great men who’ve done so much for our country, just enjoying the experience.

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I’m thrilled that the TODAY Show shined a light on the important work of the COMMIT Foundation, including its incredible co-founder and CEO, Anne Maree Craig. She shared the organization’s mission: “So many organizations are focused right now on how many veterans they’re serving, rather than how deeply they’re serving individuals. The COMMIT Foundation steps back and rather than just focusing on interviews and resumes, we help people assess their values, their strengths, what they want a day to look like… We help them find themselves first.”

My transition out of the U.S. Marine Corps in 2007, after nine years of service, was one of the most stressful periods of my life. While I was eager to provide my family with greater stability and to pursue other dreams as a civilian, I was also leaving behind a life of tremendous purpose and fulfillment. Much of my identity was wrapped up in my military service. I was fortunate to land at ArchTam where my managers supported my ambitions to go to law school at night, and more than 12 years later, I still love what I do.

While my unconventional path has led to a very fulfilling post-military career, I certainly would have benefitted from a program like COMMIT back when I was so unsure of my future. My ArchTam colleague and fellow mentor, Melissa Udbinac, who is a U.S. Army veteran, agreed. She said, “Success often comes on an unexpected path that is very different from the starting point.”

My roommate from the Naval Academy retired from the Navy last year and joined the COMMIT Foundation as an executive, where he facilitates workshops. When he invited me to serve as a mentor last fall, I jumped at the opportunity and found the experience so rewarding that I wanted ArchTam to get more involved and make a greater impact. First, ArchTam helped sponsor a COMMIT workshop in Anaheim, California, with all women veterans, which was profiled on NPR. We also offered to host a workshop in our office.

At the start of the event, many of the veterans expressed their anxieties around financial security, finding a job they’re passionate about, networking, interviewing, and preparing adequately for a completely different career. I was asked to speak on the first mentor panel and specifically, to delve into the challenges of my own transition experience. My family experienced some significant and unexpected challenges during my transition so to share my personal experience with a group I hold in such esteem was cathartic.

Through a series of panel discussions and small breakout sessions, we set out to help the veterans increase self-awareness about their desired outcomes, expand their imaginations about possible career paths and gain insight into the industries that interest them.

Ray Lamas (right) shared his inspiring transition story with the veterans.

Mike Kostiw (left) and Melissa Udbinac (center) spoke about the evolving path to success.

At the end of the workshop, it was gratifying to see the veterans gain more confidence about their own transitions. My colleague Ray Lamas, a mentor and U.S. Navy veteran, said, “It has inspired me to continue working with veterans to help them communicate their outstanding value to civilian employers and ultimately find their new professional passions.” As these veterans begin their transitions into the civilian world after serving us, I am immensely proud of how ArchTam rallied around them.

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