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Mayor engages, enlightens service members

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sean M. Crowe
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Randy Brown, Evesham Township mayor and Baltimore Ravens kicking coach, shared personal anecdotes, experiences and advice with JB MDL service members Dec. 6, 2013, here.

His speech's purpose was to allow audience members, including Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and civilians, took the opportunity to draw from Brown's learned lessons living a dual-role life, much like the life of a service member split between service and family.

"It's a great opportunity to say 'thank you for your service' and give something back to them simultaneously," said Brown. "Most importantly, I want the service members to know how important their jobs are and how much we appreciate it."

Brown, a lifelong Evesham Township resident, pursued a life around his youthful athleticism as an adult, coaching the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles until he signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2008. It was then that he decided to run for mayor and won on a simple platform: bringing back a parade.

Base leadership gave Brown a short tour of the base before adjourning to the Timermann Center for the speaking engagement portion of his visit.

He explained to the audience that he achieved his goals of becoming a coach and a mayor by making the most of every day, whether it was helping people or achieving personal goals.

Brown spoke of unit cohesion and teamwork, comparing his football team to a military unit. They share similarities including being a team, having a common goal and wearing a uniform. He asked the service members to be mindful of the four most common pitfalls he has witnessed within the teams he has coached: us vs. them, diversion from within, complacency and fatigue. He hoped to inspire the audience to avoid the trials and tribulations he endured as a coach.

Among many topics, Brown's overarching message was fairly simple: anyone can overcome any obstacle with enough determination, whether it is work, family or a personal passion.

"Give your best effort regardless of what uniform you are wearing; that includes the uniforms of a father, service member or athlete," said Brown.

The goal of the speaking engagement was to motivate service members.

"The way I see it is just because you're successful already and got somewhere in life, that doesn't mean you have to stop trying to move forward," said Airman 1st Class Gergo Kohalmi, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron member. "Mayor Brown showed me that you have to persevere through failure to achieve goals in life. His stories and advice gave me inspiration to succeed and keep achieving."