Lindsay Kough’s Post

Trigger warning: this is NOT a religious post.  You made commitments to yourself… You made a commitment as to where you would be by mid-year, and by the end of the year. Today marks the first day of the second half of the year. It's a perfect moment to pause, reflect, and realign your commitments you made to yourself. Your first six months this year may have been a mix of triumphs and challenges, but the beauty of a fresh start lies in your hands, today. As we stand at this midpoint, let’s take a moment to: Reflect on Your Journey: Celebrate the wins, no matter how small. Learn from the setbacks. Each step, whether forward or backward, has been a valuable lesson. Revisit Your Commitments: Are they still aligned with your vision? It’s okay to adjust your path. Flexibility is a strength, not a weakness. Refocus Your Energy: Prioritize what truly matters. Be intentional with your time and efforts, directing them towards what will drive the most impact. Reignite Your Passion: Remember why you started. Reconnect with your purpose. Passion fuels perseverance, and with a renewed sense of purpose, you can overcome any obstacle. The finish line may seem far, but with determination, resilience, and a positive mindset, you can make the second half of the year even more remarkable than the first. Let’s get out there, support one another, and make every day count. Here’s to achieving our commitments and ending the year on a high note! Call to action: review your annual plan, and reflect on your journey, commitments, energy, and passion. V/r, LTK PS: My mid-year review and reflection this morning was in the Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (pictured here). We are on track. St. Josaphat, pray for us.

One of my most valuable professional experiences… Please seriously consider applying. Who is that guy fourth from the left? V/r, LTK

Respect… “We should always show respect for our competitors…. Yes, business is a contact sport. It is with respect and admiration that I tip my hat to Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) for their inspiring design of the United States Air Force Academy’s Center for Character and Leadership Development (CCLD). Ladies and gentlemen of SOM, nice work!” I posted that last year… My company, TRIDENT 11, was originally a subcontractor at an architecture and engineering firm, and through that positive experience I was able to meet some great people, like Kelly Banet and Carlos Cruz-Gonzalez. While we are not competitors anymore, I remain in awe of SOM’s work. It is worth re-sharing their greatness. Call to action: Respect your competitors. There is often room for collaboration. Go NAVY! Beat Air Force! V/r, LTK

A funny thing happened on the way to the Emergency Department… These two gents just tonight figured out they served together in Afghanistan twenty years ago... I continue to enjoy the great fortune of supporting the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee as a subcontractor to a prime general contractor in construction on an important project on behalf of one our country’s most valuable assets… our veterans. This is a mission near and dear to my heart. Another gift I have received in this position is seeing veterans reunite after 20 years or more… Today was one of those days. Every weekday at 5:00 p.m., I meet Thomas J Visintainer SR, aka "Woody," Construction Control Representative (and FAA-certified Drone Pilot) at Zablocki to open spaces where we will work later that evening. Our project manager, Jeff Smalley, Richard Group, was in town from Alabama and joined us for our workday/night. Jeff, having recognized Woody’s last name, asked Woody the requisite questions one would ask if one were to attempt to deduce if two people had served in some capacity “back in the day” in the Army in Afghanistan… To all of our delight (obviously more theirs than mine…), they figured out they had met and served together in Afghanistan back in 2004. Side note, I was serving in Iraq at the time… These two gentlemen have not seen each other in 20 years, and they reunited outside the Emergency Department of a VA in Milwaukee. Small world… In my vernacular, how cool is that? What an awesome day serving veterans alongside veterans! Call to action: please consider following our company, TRIDENT 11, as we grow in public. V/r, LTK Photo (left to right): Me/Thomas J Visintainer SR/Jeff Smalley Photo credit: Mark Fessel (thank you, Mark!).

I am inspired by people like the remarkable Meghan Ogilvie, CEO of Dog Tag, Inc. Her dedication to empowering veterans, military spouses, and caregivers through innovative programs is nothing short of extraordinary. Under her leadership, Dog Tag Bakery serves as more than just a bakery—it’s a transformative space where lives are rebuilt, and communities are strengthened. Achievements and Contributions (but not limited to...): Innovative Leadership. Meghan has successfully led Dog Tag Inc. to provide a holistic and impactful fellowship program that equips participants with critical business and entrepreneurship skills. Community Empowerment. She has been instrumental in fostering a supportive and inclusive environment that helps veterans and military families transition to civilian life with confidence and purpose. Advocacy and Outreach. Meghan is a passionate advocate for veterans' issues and has been actively involved in various initiatives and partnerships aimed at enhancing support for military families. Recognition and Awards. Under her guidance, Dog Tag Inc. has received numerous accolades for its innovative approach and positive impact on the community. Presidential Leadership Scholar. Meghan's commitment to leadership and excellence is further exemplified by her selection as a Presidential Leadership Scholar, a testament to her outstanding contributions and potential to drive positive change. Athlete. Meghan played soccer for the University of Richmond Spiders. If you know Meghan, you know she is tough as nails. Thank you, Meghan, for your unwavering commitment to making the world a better place, one step at a time. One entrepreneur at a time… Lastly, thank you for allowing me to serve as a panelist during your recent Chicago cohort’s final presentations last month. Meghan, I remain inspired by you and your incredible team. Call to action: Volunteer. Serve others. Serve people like Meghan serves. Just serve. V/r, LTK

A short two months after this photograph… Lulu’s first suicide attempt… In my post from yesterday, I mentioned what a great guy Dana Vanella is... I posted a photograph of Lulu, Dana, and me in the comments, but Dana sent me this photograph and a few others from this same show, just this evening. As I mentioned, Dana pulled some strings and created the opportunity for Lulu and me to see Adele back in July of 2018. Not only that, what I did not mention yesterday, Dana gave us backstage passes, too. Prior to curtain, Dana gave Lulu and me the tour of the stage, the orchestra pit, the dressing rooms, the elevator in the middle of the stage where Adele rises from under the main stage, etc. Lulu was beaming the entire time. Dana also let us know to watch for him immediately prior to the show after we found our seats (in the ninth row). When we saw him pulling a large, wheeled cable box/toolbox from behind the main stage, through the floor-seat audience to the center stage in the middle of the Pepsi Center, we were probably the only audience members that knew that Adele, herself, was in that toolbox… It was the only way for Adele to get to the discontinuous center stage in the middle of the floor where she would start her impressive show. That center stage was basically where center ice is for the Avalanche or center court for the Nuggets. The houselights went dark, and all of a sudden, she appeared under the spotlights on that center stage. Adele appeared out of nowhere… Only Lulu and I knew the secret as to how she got there… ok, maybe a couple of other people did, as well, who knows? As the show progressed, an amazing show I will add, Dana knew where the confetti were going to be dropped from the ceiling near the end of Adele’s show and he was gracious enough to capture Lulu’s incredible smile here... Reiterating from my post, yesterday: In Lulu’s words, “Dad, that was the best night of my life. Thanks, Dad. Love you!” Dana, you created the best night of Lulu’s life. I will never be able to thank you enough. Looking back at Lulu’s short life… These are some of the many joyous memories I keep close to my heart. Without any warning, Lulu would execute her first suicide attempt two months later. Her second attempt was in January of 2019, and she passed after her third on March of 2019. Yes, we did everything we could. It was not enough. No… It does not make sense… So, we continue to savor our memories. We continue to remind ourselves of Lulu’s deep love for others and the many hearts she touched. We continue to honor her selfless spirit. Lulu, we love you and miss you dearly. Love, Dad Call to action: love deeply. Photo credit: Dana Vanella

A funny thing happened on the way to Soldier Field… I have known Dana Vanella since the summer before we started sixth grade. We became friends the first day we met. Our families were of means in terms of loving parents, but not of fiscal means. We lived on the wrong side of the tracks in a beautiful part of Costa Mesa, California called, “Mesa Verde.” Our parents loved us, and they did everything for us to make our lives better than theirs. Dana and I both have brothers, and the four of us and some other awesome young men would ride bikes all over the place. We would build milkcrate jumps and jump over each other while the others were lying down on the pavement in the alley behind the multi-family units where we lived. We didn’t have video games, and no one watched TV. We all had to be home before the streetlights went out, but then we didn’t… Later in middle school, we would ride bikes all over the place at night, too. Sometimes we would find an unlocked VW Beetle parked on the street, put it in neutral, and then quietly push it into the middle of our neighborhood park (what was then called, Corsica Park; now. Smallwood Park). One night we were able to find six of them and put them in the middle of the park. We laughed so hard during this logistical mission, and certainly for years after… We stopped doing that after the second or third time within a year after being chased by one of the owners… Good clean, hilarious fun. No one was hurt. When we all turned fifteen, we could ride mopeds, legally, in California. So, naturally, about eight of us bought mopeds. It was better than having our parents drive us everywhere. Mine had a surfboard rack/trailer behind mine so that I could go surfing on the weekends, but it doubled as my tenor saxophone case carrier on the moped commute to high school. I was in a unique position in high school because I studied music, but I also swam and played water polo. Riding a moped to high school with a tenor saxophone on a one-wheel trailer on the back was a real crowd pleaser… NOT. Back to the point, I am so grateful for my friendship with Dana in these last 51 years. Right after high school, Dana became a roadie, and he has been in this awesome profession for 44 years. Before last night at Soldier Field for Billy Joel (thank you again, Dana!), the last time I saw Dana was in July of 2018. Dana, in his beaming generosity, got tickets for Lulu and me to the Adele concert at what was then the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. In Lulu’s words, “Dad, that was the best night of my life. Thanks, Dad. Love you!” Dana, you created the best night of Lulu’s life. I will never be able to thank you enough. Love you, brother. Thank you, again. Best, LTK Call to action: Stay in touch with your buddies (even from 6th grade). PS: A photograph of Lulu and Dana is in the comments from that Adele night in July of 2018, Saint Lulu, pray for us.

Today... If you are a military veteran CEO or a military spouse CEO, please consider applying for IVMF BunkerLabs'/JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking's CEOcircle. It has been one of the most influential professional experiences of my life since serving in the SEAL Teams. Applications close today. The application is in the comments section. Hear CEOcircle cohort members Samantha Snabes, Jim O'Farrell, Andy Moye, PhD and Dean Wegner reflect on their experience in this video link. Mom, it is not sufficient for IMDb.com credits, but I am in this video from the markers 58 seconds to 1 minute, and from 1:25 to 1:27. Mom, I want you to continue to be proud of me! Love you! V/r, LTK #ivmfsyracuseu #ivmfbunkerlabs #jmpc https://lnkd.in/g5b2zK3R

You can’t make this up… On the three-and-a-half hour drive up into the mountains from Denver International Airport to Carbondale, Colorado for Thomas' and Rachel's rehearsal dinner earlier this month, we stopped in Wheat Ridge, Colorado to make a visit to my late daughter’s, Lulu’s, burial marker… It was a cloudy day. The sun never came out the entire drive. Until… ...until just seconds after I kissed the forehead of her marker, like I would kiss Lulu’s forehead every time we parted after spending time with one another, no matter where we were… The sun, after never having shown itself the entire drive and visit, briefly peered out through the trees onto Lulu’s marker… I was able to capture Lulu’s message from heaven here below. Lulu, thank you again for showing your light, your love, and your presence. We love you and miss you. Love, Dad PS: Forehead kisses… Saint Lulu, pray for us. ❤️

Slavery… I want to throw up every time I hear that word. The inhumanity… Pure evil. Today, we honor Juneteenth, a profound milestone in American history marking the end of slavery. On this day in 1865, the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is a reminder of our country’s enduring journey toward equality and justice. As I was walking in the corridors of the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee earlier today, there were not many people there on this federal holiday. There was a VA patient (amputee) who looked old enough to serve in at least Vietnam, if not Korea, literally speeding in his motorized wheelchair down the corridor. One of the hospital staff, also African American, said to the mobile gentleman, “Hey, slow down, you are speeding.” He was grinning ear to ear. They obviously knew one another… “Speed Racer” looked back over his shoulder while increasing his speed with his own grin, and asked, “who made the limit…? I am FREE!” They both shared some bellowed laughter and joy in their common bond. It felt great that they both allowed me to share in this moving vignette with them. We are all the same. We all come from the same place. We should all treat one another the same, no matter what. Call to action:  Be present to the joy in others. V/r, LTK