During 14 years in the US Congress, I passionately spoke for the forgotten men and women who go to work, raise their families and live quiet, productive lives – people like Mom and Dad.

The most difficult question I faced during my time in DC came from a veteran who had lost both legs and an arm in combat: “Does any body know or care what service to the country cost me?” The answer required more than platitudes.

So, in 2016, while still serving in Congress, I flew my aircraft solo around the world. 15 days in the air, 26,000 miles, averaging 12 hours a day in a seat the size of a folding chair. The plane was a single engine, four-place, Mooney. The two rear seats were removed and two 55 gallon drums placed behind me for the extra fuel needed to cross oceans.

The journey was dedicated to the men and women who serve.

It also turned out to be a pilgrimage back to my war years. The closer I got to hallowed ground of Vietnam and Thailand where 58,000 Americans paid the ultimate sacrifice, long forgotten memories of loss flooded back to my mind.

Then I made my way home, something denied to many soldiers who survived the war then were lost.

The book I wrote about the journey, “You Had a Good Home, But You Left…” (think of military cadence calls) will be out in November of this year. I talk about he flight, the storms along the way, leaving home and the desire to get back, surviving the storms along the way and oh yes, not letting the old man in. I explore the many similarities between flight and life and the need to know TRUTH in both.

Having overcome so many fears and shortcomings along my tortuous pathways of life, I readily see strength in others they do not recognize in themselves and I work to help them bring that out.

And I always talk about faith and Grit. In my speeches to students, I often have them shout out the words, “I will never, never give up. I will never quit.”

Talent, intelligence, good looks, inherited wealth, all lose traction. Not quitting is the most important foundation for success.