February 12, 2025 • 31 mins
Growing up without a parent is an experience filled with both pain and resilience. Imagine navigating life not just without a father, but one who died a hero serving his country. Join me as we welcome Mallory Crabtree, daughter of the late Sergeant First Class Daniel Crabtree, and hear her personal story of honoring a fallen Green Beret. Mallory shares her journey from a childhood marked by loss to becoming an advocate for military families, providing a poignant glimpse into the life of a Gold Star daughter.
Mallory's story is not just about tragedy; it's about the enduring legacy of military service and the strength found in community. She discusses the emotional challenges faced by children of fallen soldiers and how her father's bravery continues to inspire her. We explore the invaluable role of support organizations, like the Green Beret Foundation, in preserving her father's memory and offering comfort to families who have experienced similar losses. Through Mallory’s candid reflections, we gain a deeper understanding of the unique sacrifices made by military families.
Mallory is also forging her own path as a young college student, using social media to connect and share her father's legacy with a wider audience. Her aspirations to engage more deeply with Gold Star family organizations highlight her dedication to supporting those who walk a similar path. As Mallory reflects on what she would say to her father, her gratitude and determination to honor his memory illuminate a journey of hope and strength. Join us for this compelling episode to witness how one woman's resilience continues to inspire others.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Warriors fall in, it's time for formation.
Today I have a very specialguest who I found in the realms
of TikTok as I was scrolling.
It caught my eye because youknow as me, being an Operation
Iraqi Freedom veteran myself, Inoticed that this young lady was
I guess it's Air Force Base orArmy Base now They've changed it
over the years in Columbus,ohio, and they were honoring her
(00:22):
father, who was killed inaction during Operation Iraqi
Freedom.
So today I have on the show thedaughter of Sergeant First
Class Daniel Crabtree.
He was a Special Forces soldierwho made the ultimate sacrifice
during OIF, and she's currentlytoday in college.
She's advocating for preservingthe legacy of her father and
she also seeks to be aninspirational voice for others
(00:45):
out there that have lost theirparents during Operation Raccoon
Freedom and Operation EnduringFreedom.
And so I noticed that in herTikTok she seemed very
passionate about sharing herpersonal story and her journey
over time and what that was likegrowing up.
But then also, too, she'sconnected with organizations
such as the Green BeretFoundation, which highlights and
supports the sacrifices ofSpecial Forces soldiers and
(01:07):
their family.
So today Mallory Crabtree gaveme the opportunity to interview
her on her first podcast right.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Mm-hmm.
Yep First one.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
Mallory, I just want to tell you that it's an honor
for me to be a part of yourpublic speaking journey, but
then also, too, to be a part ofmemorializing your father,
because, as an OIF veteranmyself, it's very important for
folks not to forget about thosetwo wars.
They were extremely important.
But I want to give you thefloor and ask you the question
about your father, and can youtell me a little bit about your
(01:39):
father, daniel Crabtree, andwhat he was like as a father and
what was his story going intothe army?
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Yeah, thank you.
So my parents met in highschool so they were high school
sweethearts and my dad enlistedinto the army at 17 years old.
He did early enlistment andthen he went off to Akron U to
study criminal justice becausehe couldn't, you know, become a
police officer until he was 21.
So he studied criminal justicethere and achieved associate's
(02:10):
degree in criminal justice andthen he went off into becoming a
police officer in Hartville,ohio, and then later in Cuyahoga
Falls, ohio, where he served onthe SWAT team.
Then, you know, I really there'slike the, there's a blank of
time where I really don't knowmuch.
I just know more of hishighlights of his life.
(02:33):
So more like when I was before,you know, I was born, he always
wanted to become a Green BeretFrom young age is what my
grandmother said.
You know.
He just had that drive and heknew he didn't want to live, to
be an old man.
He wanted to dedicate his lifefor his country, even if that
meant sacrificing everything.
He had the drive and he workedhard for it and the first time
(02:56):
he went to try to get intospecial forces he jumped out of
an airplane and broke his leg.
So when I was born, my dad hada broken leg and my mom was
going into labor, so my mom hadto drive herself to the hospital
.
So and there's that.
And then, right after my firstbirthday you know, he only got
to spend a year with me and hewas deployed to Iraq right after
(03:19):
my first birthday in January,and then June 2006, he was
killed by a roadside bomb inIraq and my dad wasn't driving
his Humvee that day, he wasdriving Secretary of State of
Ohio Frank LaRose's Humvee.
Frank served with my dad overin Iraq and Frank was called to
(03:43):
do something else and you know,my dad saw his Humvee sitting
there.
He said I'll take Frank'sHumvee.
You know he's not here.
And my dad was with three otherpeople and out of those three
people, my dad and anotherperson were killed in that
Humvee.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Yeah, so that really hits home for me.
Wow, so you were one years oldwhen your father passed.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Yeah, so I was 17 months old approximately.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Yeah, yeah, for me, the first IED I ever ran over
was in a Humvee 1114, up-armoredHumvee, and fortunately it was
up-armored and today still on mywall over here I have a piece
of that IED that tried to killme.
So for me, it's hard for me notto get emotional when I hear
that, but I got to pull myselftogether, mallory, I got to
(04:34):
continue this interview.
No, it's just.
I keep it as a reminder to tryto appreciate every single day
Because, literally, fate has alot to do with us being here and
you did this story about.
You know, the Humvee was justsitting there and he got in the
Humvee and it's just.
You know and it's.
It was that way for me.
With the mortar round that blewup on my Humvee, it was,
(04:56):
according to the EOD, it wasfacing a certain direction and
it was not very properly.
And I'm just thinking to myselfif it was calculated, if it was
a better calculated killingmachine, I wouldn't be here
today.
So God bless you and yourfamily for everything that
you've had to endure over theyears.
That's really difficult for you, but can you tell me how has
(05:17):
your father's military serviceand sacrifice shaped your
perspective on the military andits role in society?
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Yeah, so I really didn't find out about my dad,
like you know, learn about hispassing until I was, you know, I
was about four years old, right, I was, you know, I was going
to school actively and you knowthese children, you know, had
their dads and it was reallyhard for me to like grasp, like
you know, where's my dad.
(05:45):
Do I have a dad?
You know, because you know, andit was really hard for me to
like grasp, like you know,where's my dad.
Do I have a dad?
You know, because you know itwas so hard on my mom, it was
something she just really didn'tbring up.
It was really hard for herbecause, you know, you lose that
part of you that you know fromhigh school, you know they were
together, together for that long, you know it was really hard on
her.
So, so, like, growing up, wereally, like you know, didn't
(06:07):
talk about it.
But there was this one day, um,I was in my room, um, and you
know I was really upset and shehad come in and she asked me
what's wrong and I was like youknow where's my dad?
And at that time I was, likeyou know, I was really upset.
I was worked up about itbecause you know, everyone
around me had their dad and I Ididn't, and she, she told me
(06:31):
that a bad guy killed her andyou know, ever since then it
kind of shaped me, sorry intothe person I am today.
today because I learned abouthis sacrifice.
I learned about the type ofperson he is because of my
family, my family sorry how you?
(06:53):
Um, my family, you know, hastaken the time, you know, to
tell his story.
They want to carry on hislegacy.
You know, to tell his story.
They want to carry on hislegacy.
You know it's been.
This year would be 19 yearssince he, since we lost him.
We still remember him each year.
You know, there's still thatlike it was yesterday, you know,
(07:15):
and I, for me, finding out wasjust like yesterday.
You know, I found out when Iwas four years old and I'm 20
years old now and you know, Istill remember that day very
vividly and it is something likeI would never forget.
And you know, growing up I waslike what can I do to follow in
his footsteps?
I thought about this for yearsand you know, I never knew the
(07:38):
right answer.
I would think of something.
I'm like no, that's not it.
You know, there's somethingelse out there for me and I my
mom's sister and her husband aredoctors and I was like I found
love for the medical field and Iwas like I can help people and
I can give my sense of serviceand helping those in need.
You know, even if it's just,you know, a helping hand or
someone to talk to or the careof a medical professional, you
(08:01):
know I can do it, you know.
So that's what I decided to doand then, as I got older, into
like high school, I was like,you know, I really want to tell
people about my dad.
You know, I want to help otherpeople in that aspect, in that
way, so I can help others,because growing up really I
didn't have anyone thatunderstood me Right.
(08:24):
I went to school with childrenthat had their parents, both
parents, or, you know, they weredivorced or whatever the case
may be.
But you know, there was no wayof getting my dad back.
So I kind of just grew, in thatsense, like, you know, me
growing up was full of grief,but you know, I was like my dad
(08:44):
would not want me to sit hereany longer in grief.
So I decided one day I woke upand I was like I want to get
into public speaking, I want totalk to people, and I I got a
phone call and they were saying,hey, this building is being
dedicated in your father's honor.
You know, do you have a speaker?
(09:05):
And I was like that wants tospeak in your family.
And I was like you know whatI'll do?
And they're like, are you sure?
And I'm like, yeah, I got it.
And I got up there and I toldthe world about my dad and then
I was like that never left mymind ever since I did that.
So I did that in 2022, inOctober, and you know I was
(09:26):
going through school, you know,because I was a senior at the
time and I was like I'm incollege, things aren't going the
right way.
You know, I'm working reallyhard and you know I was not
doing too well with nursingbecause it's not no joke, it's
difficult.
Yeah, it is.
And I was like things aregetting hard.
I'm gonna do what I love.
(09:48):
So I called someone I knew and Isaid is there any way that I
could speak at any events thatyou have?
And he said let me get back toyou.
But a day or two later he askedme he goes do you want to speak
at wreaths across america?
And I said, of course, becausewreaths across america, you know
, remembers the fallen aroundthe christmas time.
(10:10):
So I was like, yeah, I will dothat and I inspired many
children sitting in thataudience and it just really made
me feel good about myself.
You know that I was doingsomething and it wasn't just
nursing.
You know I don't.
I see myself as my father.
You know I see me doingmultiple different jobs within
(10:32):
my lifespan.
You know I don't see me justsettling for just nursing.
I feel like I want to helppeople in different ways.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
Right, Right and wow, what an amazing man.
So chose a career in lawenforcement, chose a career at
the elite level of being in themilitary special forces.
I mean, the man was looking fora very meaningful life.
And you know, growing up, doyou feel like?
First of all, I want to mentionthis too Nursing is no joke.
(11:00):
When I was, when I was becomingan officer, we used to
emphasize trying to find armynurses.
And this is this was during atime, this was during a time of
war.
So, finding someone willing tosign up for the military during
a time of war, finding someonethat could do the physical
fitness stuff, and then findingsomeone with the smarts to make
it through all those super toughcourses that they have to do
(11:21):
with the smarts to make itthrough all those super tough
courses that they have to do.
I mean it was really hard for usduring those times.
But I want to ask you so,growing up, I mean, did you have
a difficult time explaining toyour friends what Operation
Iraqi Freedom was and whatOperation Enduring Freedom was?
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Yeah.
So growing up, you know it'ssomething you don't hear every
day.
Like I said, growing up Ididn't know anyone around me
that had the same experiencethat I did.
No one understood what I wentthrough every day, especially
because I was a baby.
You know, they were older, theyhad memories and, honestly, it
(12:06):
was a lot difficult for them but, like for me, you know, I don't
remember him and I say all thetime like would I rather have
those memories or would I ratherbe, you know, strong and talk
about him today, because,honestly, if I had those
memories I don't think I wouldbe able to do it.
And you know, but when I was,when I tell my friends that
(12:27):
they're just like, really like,they're just shocked because you
just don't hear it and they'relike I'm sorry and it's just
kind of like that's it andyou're like sorry for your loss,
they don't understand and andit's like hard to tell someone
that and then understand it,because they don't know what I
go through every day.
All they see is you know thethings that I do, the things
(12:51):
that you know I've been blessedwith.
You know, like, the things thatI have received, because you
know my dad blessed me with itbecause he sacrificed everything
for me.
And it's difficult becausepeople will see what I have and
see the things that I've beenblessed with my entire life and
(13:14):
the opportunities that I havethat I'm grateful for, and then
they push it back on me likeit's my fault.
But the way I say it all thetime is you know, if it weren't
for people like my dad, wewouldn't have the things we have
today in this country, and thatis the way I go through it, and
(13:39):
I don't care what people thinkof me.
If, deep down, if they cared,they wouldn't treat me like yeah
, I'm sorry for that.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
It's, it's difficult.
I mean, you are part of themilitary community.
Such a tremendous loss and youknow, I didn't wake up this
morning think that I would becrying either.
I, you, you talking about yourfather, um, you know, and his
situation getting killed inaction really hit home for me
because I well, I didn't thinkthis episode would be this heavy
(14:11):
.
I, I didn't, I wasn't thinkingabout it, I didn't it.
For some it just it brings backso much I don't know what's
going on with me right nowemotionally.
It's just it, just wow, kid,like you, your, your dad is very
proud of you and and who youare to me.
I can tell you a lot of parentsout there would love to have a
daughter like yourself.
You know, being as resilient,as strong as you are, and even
if you don't have those memories, I mean having to to cope and
(14:35):
explain to folks.
It's one thing if your parentsare divorced and you know they
live somewhere else, you knowand you can still call them and
yeah, but then having to explainthat they passed away and then
they and they passed.
It's one thing if your parentsare divorced and you know they
live somewhere else, you knowand you can still call them yeah
, but then having to explainthat they passed away and they
passed away during this eventthat most people you know I
think it's less than 5% of theUS population was actually
involved in Operation IraqiFreedom or Operation Enduring
(14:55):
Freedoms.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
The room that you stand in makes it even more
difficult to identify withanybody else in that room for
them to understand thesignificance of his sacrifice.
But what would you say overall?
What were some of the mostchallenging aspects of losing
your father at such a young age?
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Besides talking to your friends and having to
explain to folks, did you findthat adults didn't also
understand?
I ran into you know adult too.
Honestly it's sad, but theydon't care.
I've ran into that.
I've ran into people that docare and I've ran into people
that are like you know, I wantto do anything I can to help you
, and it's really a mix of allthree of those things.
But you know, either way, I'mtelling my dad's story and
(15:52):
that's why I grew up and that'swhat I do.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
You know, and I always tell folks that for
military folks that go to war,go to combat, sometimes it's not
necessarily what you deal withover there.
It's coming back.
Here is what's difficult whenyou sit at a table and you're
getting these questions, orfolks just don't care, or they
ask a question and as soon asyou start to answer, they move
(16:17):
on to the next topic.
You know cause I, when I wentin, I felt like I'm going in for
a bigger cause.
I totally knew what I was doing.
I decided to go from enlistedto officer and I knew that I was
going to deploy.
I just didn't know when andwhen it came my time, which was
really early.
I was 24 years old when Ideployed, right out of college,
(16:37):
brand new butter bar.
I did not anticipate or expect.
And when I found out that I'dbe running convoys and right
after fallujah you know, one ofthe most dangerous times between
when I was there and yourfather was there I just became a
zombie.
It's like a sleepwalk for me.
Um, things happen for a reasonand I was I scrolling on TikTok
(17:01):
and I found your profile for areason.
Just listening to your storyand listening to your resiliency
is really refreshing for me,mallory, thank you.
I want to ask about some of theoutside folks that helped out
with your overall coping andmemorializing your father over
the years.
You know, with your overallcoping and memorializing your
(17:22):
father over the years.
You're in organizations likethe Green Beret Foundation.
What role do they play in?
Speaker 2 (17:26):
supporting you after your father's passing.
So the Green Beret Foundationrecognizes my dad every single
year on June 8th 2000,.
You know, whatever year it is,they always have and I value
them a lot.
I you know that they rememberhim and even though it's almost
been, you know, 19 years, theystill remember him.
He's never forgotten.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
Yeah, that's a very small community of folks out
there and I've known a few folksover the years that were also
Green Berets, friends of mineover the years, co-workers and
things like that, and that's avery small, tight knit community
and it's a very honor, a verybig honor, to be part of that
community as well, year afteryear.
You mentioned that your familycontinues to remember your
(18:09):
father's legacy.
How exactly do you guys do that?
Speaker 2 (18:14):
Well, every June 8th we get together at my mom's
house.
Sadly, my dad's mom and dad'ssister live in Georgia, so
sometimes they're up here,sometimes they're not, but we
just celebrate his life andwe're all together and we just
tell stories, and we do that andget food, because that's what
(18:36):
he would want us to be doing,right right.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Yeah, I mean it's important to just take a pause
and take the time out of yourbusy year to just come together
as a family and see one anotherand catch up.
I mean, I I always say that youknow, anymore living around or
near family isn't enough.
You have to live between that,their house and the grocery
store for them to come visit you, right?
So so even just coming togetheris a big deal and I'm sure he'd
(19:02):
be extremely proud of that thatyou guys have done that.
I can't believe it's beenalmost 20 years.
It's hard to believe it's been20 years for me since I deployed
.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
And it's like I'm 20 years old.
So it's like, oh my gosh, Ican't blink, I'm 20.
I turn 20 on Saturday and I'mjust like I feel old.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
After you feel old, after you hit 21, it's like you
blink and you become 30, andthen you blink again and you're
40.
So make the most of it for sure.
So are there any specificprojects or causes that you're
involved in that are dedicatedto supporting military families
or raising awareness about theirsacrifices?
Speaker 2 (19:41):
I am not currently in any, so I'm actually trying to
contact people to get involved.
I actually was doing thatearlier this week.
I want to be involved and Iknow a few family members of
mine also want to be involved aswell.
You know, just to be with othergold star families.
We just want to be a part ofeverything with gold star
(20:04):
families yeah, no, I know thatyou're only 20 right now.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
You're just getting started on your journey, so I'm
catching you on the on the verybeginning of your of your
journey and your in your pathand, like I said, it's a very,
very huge honor for to do that.
Is there any other way thatyour, your father's life and his
sacrifice has inspired yourpersonal or your professional
goals overall?
(20:28):
I know you mentioned earlierthat you want to make the most
of it.
You want to do a multitude ofthings, but anytime when the
going gets tough, what?
What pulls you through?
Speaker 2 (20:39):
I just say you know my dad didn't.
You know he worked hard foreverything that he's done.
So you know I can't give up.
So you know I've gone throughschool, you know I haven't done
well, and I just get back up andI do it again.
And you know I keep going at it.
You know if it takes me anotherdetour, you know.
So what I don't, it doesn'tmatter how long it takes me.
(21:01):
I'll just you know I'll bethere one day, yeah.
Speaker 1 (21:04):
Yeah, it's all about.
You know what that's?
That's the thing about it too.
I was never the smartest in myclass.
I was never able to just sitthere and read the book and like
pass the test, but I was alwayswilling to fall down, get back
(21:25):
up, brush myself off and keep ongoing.
All the naysayers when I wasgrowing up, I mean, I had
guidance counselors tell me thatI was not college material.
I had a lot of people thatdidn't believe in me.
I had some people that were inmy corner that did believe in me
, like my father, but overallthe one thing that got me
through was just being resilient, having that grit, not being
born with that silver spoon inmy mouth and just being a
scrapper.
And it sounds like that's thekind of person that you are
overall, and I know your fatheris I know your father's up there
(21:48):
looking down extremely proud ofeverything that you've
accomplished so far and thewoman that you're looking to
become.
What lessons, what lessonswould you think came out of
growing up in this situationthat you were in, with a father
that was killed during war,having to explain what?
What lessons or values do youthink you gained from it?
Do you think it made youtougher.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
Yeah, for sure.
And I would also say I don'ttake things for granted.
The time that I spend withpeople, you know I don't take
that for granted because youknow something, you know
something and someone that meantso much to me and was so close
to me was just taken away fromme like instantly.
(22:31):
You know, it didn't take longat all, like a year, and it's
like I never really trulyunderstood why or how.
And you, you know you have allthese questions like that can't
be answered because you know hewas in special forces.
I don't really know the entirestoryline of it.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
I mean, I know most of it to a full extent but, like
you know, there's details thatI have and questions that I have
, you know, that may not be ableto be answered well, you know
and, and I was just thinking tomyself that overall, growing up,
I mean you kind of had to fendfor yourself when it came to you
(23:13):
know, the other kids andeverything like that, and had to
had to figure it out foryourself.
You know, without I guess itwas just you and your mom
growing up, right?
Speaker 2 (23:23):
so mostly.
My mom did get remarried andhave another child.
I have 11 year old brother umwho's on the spectrum, so, and
he's great, he really is greatthat's great.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
So you developed another family and and you're
able to like kind of, you know,at least have somewhat of a of a
of a growth with a sibling andthings like that.
That's, that's awesome.
But what I want to ask youabout Gold Star families what
message would you like to sharewith other Gold Star families
out there who have experiencedsuch similar losses as yours?
Speaker 2 (23:56):
I would say you know we're in this together and you
know if you ever need someone,there's people out there to talk
to.
And you know I say this all thetime because when I went to
Columbus I met a Gold Starfamily and I told them you know
I'm always here for you.
You know, just text me, call me.
You know contact me on anysocial media, I'll answer.
(24:18):
And you know, even if it's justsomeone you need to talk to or
you need to call or you needanything, you know, just please
let me know.
And you know I, the children, Itell them, you know, never give
up on chasing your dreams.
You know you got to make yourparent proud because you know
they worked hard for what theywanted to do and you have to do
(24:40):
the same thing and not to letgrief overtake your entire life.
Speaker 1 (24:44):
I've had to.
I tell you what.
That's an extremely importantmessage for folks.
Just drive on, drive on.
Anytime that I've ever been in aruck march, forced ruck march
or a run or anything like thatwent up in the military.
My father was in the military.
(25:05):
He 20 years, drafted in 71, andhe was a real tough guy and I
just kept telling myself todrive on, keep going, like don't
give up, and then go and gettough, get going, and I think
that's that's kind of the greatthing about having such tough,
tough fathers, like like evenyours that we are.
Are we developed that mentalitytoo, to to keep going and keep
fighting?
Have you, have you had anychances to talk to any of your
father's peers, any other NCOs,and ask them about, like, how he
(25:28):
was, or you know?
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Yeah, yeah, of course they.
They'd been there for me sinceday one.
You know they'd been there forme, there for my family and you
know we're very close with youknow some officers of my dad,
you know when he was in policeand then you know the Green
Beret unit that he was in.
You know we're very close withthem all too and we actually see
them.
(25:50):
You know, once around in Junethey actually do a parachute
jump at Rickenbacker where theunit jumps out of airplanes in
honor of my father and then wehave a lunch afterwards.
So it's beautiful.
I mean everything that they'vedone.
You know everyone has done forme.
We really appreciate it, Likeyou do.
(26:11):
I'm just so blessed foreveryone and I have in my life
and everything and I, you know.
It just makes me want to getback to other people.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
I know for many, for much of your time feeling
understood is probably somethingthat's absent.
But when you're in those smallcommunities, like in June with
the, with the special forcesunit, I'm sure it feels really
great to be around like-mindedfolks with the ability to
understand where you're comingfrom right.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
Yeah, yeah, it does, and I also in 2022, my
scholarship program.
They all had like a.
They all their program is forchildren who have, you know,
lost a parent and you know I gotto meet up with 25 other
children around the same age asme down in Tampa, florida, and I
(27:03):
got to meet them and, like youknow, compare like experiences
and how to cope with things, andyou know that's really when I
met people that went through thesame thing as me is when I went
down to Tampa.
So I'm surrounded by people thatI know that went through the
same thing as me and you knowthey're all from all over the
country and it's just truly ablessing as well, just to know
(27:26):
people and you know, have funand, like you know, learn about,
you know, school and what ourfuture is going to look like,
and just to plan out everythingyou know and to see what
everyone is doing and, like youknow, some of those people are
going to be future doctors.
You know, and it's, you know,good that they overcame it as
well and we told our stories andyou know it was just a great
(27:52):
time we had down there together.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
I didn't think talking to you today would be so
heavy.
I didn't think that I wouldactually start to cry during
this episode.
I I didn't think talking to youtoday would be so heavy.
I didn't think that I wouldactually start to cry during
this episode.
I really didn't.
I did not think a whole lot ofit.
I just thought I just want tobe a part of this young lady's
journey to memorializing herfather, who made the ultimate
sacrifice.
I guess, because it's so closeto home for me, he was deployed
(28:17):
a year after I got back.
I have an idea of what he wasdealing with.
Very difficult time in ourhistory and this.
I've had to pull myself backseveral times during this
episode to not pull out, juststart balling out.
So but it's, I mean it feelsgood to talk to you.
It feels good to have theopportunity to talk about him
(28:39):
and then give you theopportunity to talk about
yourself and your journey.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
And I just want to no , it's.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
It's an honor for me honestly.
Thank you for replying to mymessages and stuff and and and
working this out, but I want togive you one last opportunity.
Okay, if you could speak toyour father today, if you could
speak to your father today, whatwould you want him to know
about the person you've become?
Speaker 2 (29:01):
I would say it was because of him.
Thank you for being such a rolemodel for me To follow in your
footsteps.
That's what I would say.
Speaker 1 (29:09):
I know he's really proud of you.
Thank you, Mallory.
So just to finish off theepisode today, thank you so much
for this opportunity.
Is there anything else you wantto mention before we finish the
show?
So today, thank you so much forthis opportunity.
Is there anything else?
Speaker 2 (29:18):
you want to mention before we finish the show?
I don't know.
That is all.
Thank you guys.
Thank you guys for everyonelistening to my story as well.
I really appreciate it and myfamily is beyond blessed to have
all these people who support usand follow my journey and
follow my dad's legacy.
Speaker 1 (29:34):
You know, I want you to know, I want you to keep
going Everything you're doing onsocial media.
You know, I want you to know, Iwant you to keep going
Everything you're doing onsocial media.
You know, connecting with otherfolks out there.
Mallory, I'm going to make surethat in the show notes that I
put um all the social mediasthat you want folks to follow.
Cause like I said, you're juststarting out in your first mile
of this journey of life.
You're only 20 years old.
You're still finishing upcollege.
(29:54):
You know, I would like to seewhere you go with all this.
You have a great start toeverything, but I'll make sure
folks out there listening.
If you're watching this onYouTube, scroll down to the
bottom.
In the description You'll findthe links to connect with
Mallory on her social media.
I know TikTok is going to begone, or should be gone, by the
(30:15):
time this episode, but we'll seewhat happens with that whole
thing.
Speaker 2 (30:18):
We'll see yeah.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
You're on Instagram as well, and are you on LinkedIn
?
Speaker 2 (30:23):
Yes, I am.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
LinkedIn.
Okay, so if you're open to it,we'll go ahead and put all those
on there as well.
Mallory, I just want to thankyou for joining me on the
Morning Formation today andtelling your story.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
For everyone else out there.
Warriors fall in, it's time for formation.
Today I have a very specialguest who I found in the realms
of TikTok as I was scrolling.
It caught my eye because youknow as me, being an Operation
Iraqi Freedom veteran myself, Inoticed that this young lady was
I guess it's Air Force Base orArmy Base now They've changed it
over the years in Columbus,ohio, and they were honoring her
(00:22):
father, who was killed inaction during Operation Iraqi
Freedom.
So today I have on the show thedaughter of Sergeant First
Class Daniel Crabtree.
He was a Special Forces soldierwho made the ultimate sacrifice
during OIF, and she's currentlytoday in college.
She's advocating for preservingthe legacy of her father and
she also seeks to be aninspirational voice for others
(00:45):
out there that have lost theirparents during Operation Raccoon
Freedom and Operation EnduringFreedom.
And so I noticed that in herTikTok she seemed very
passionate about sharing herpersonal story and her journey
over time and what that was likegrowing up.
But then also, too, she'sconnected with organizations
such as the Green BeretFoundation, which highlights and
supports the sacrifices ofSpecial Forces soldiers and
(01:07):
their family.
So today Mallory Crabtree gaveme the opportunity to interview
her on her first podcast right.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Mm-hmm.
Yep First one.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
Mallory, I just want to tell you that it's an honor
for me to be a part of yourpublic speaking journey, but
then also, too, to be a part ofmemorializing your father,
because, as an OIF veteranmyself, it's very important for
folks not to forget about thosetwo wars.
They were extremely important.
But I want to give you thefloor and ask you the question
about your father, and can youtell me a little bit about your
(01:39):
father, daniel Crabtree, andwhat he was like as a father and
what was his story going intothe army?
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Yeah, thank you.
So my parents met in highschool so they were high school
sweethearts and my dad enlistedinto the army at 17 years old.
He did early enlistment andthen he went off to Akron U to
study criminal justice becausehe couldn't, you know, become a
police officer until he was 21.
So he studied criminal justicethere and achieved associate's
(02:10):
degree in criminal justice andthen he went off into becoming a
police officer in Hartville,ohio, and then later in Cuyahoga
Falls, ohio, where he served onthe SWAT team.
Then, you know, I really there'slike the, there's a blank of
time where I really don't knowmuch.
I just know more of hishighlights of his life.
(02:33):
So more like when I was before,you know, I was born, he always
wanted to become a Green BeretFrom young age is what my
grandmother said.
You know.
He just had that drive and heknew he didn't want to live, to
be an old man.
He wanted to dedicate his lifefor his country, even if that
meant sacrificing everything.
He had the drive and he workedhard for it and the first time
(02:56):
he went to try to get intospecial forces he jumped out of
an airplane and broke his leg.
So when I was born, my dad hada broken leg and my mom was
going into labor, so my mom hadto drive herself to the hospital
.
So and there's that.
And then, right after my firstbirthday you know, he only got
to spend a year with me and hewas deployed to Iraq right after
(03:19):
my first birthday in January,and then June 2006, he was
killed by a roadside bomb inIraq and my dad wasn't driving
his Humvee that day, he wasdriving Secretary of State of
Ohio Frank LaRose's Humvee.
Frank served with my dad overin Iraq and Frank was called to
(03:43):
do something else and you know,my dad saw his Humvee sitting
there.
He said I'll take Frank'sHumvee.
You know he's not here.
And my dad was with three otherpeople and out of those three
people, my dad and anotherperson were killed in that
Humvee.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Yeah, so that really hits home for me.
Wow, so you were one years oldwhen your father passed.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Yeah, so I was 17 months old approximately.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Yeah, yeah, for me, the first IED I ever ran over
was in a Humvee 1114, up-armoredHumvee, and fortunately it was
up-armored and today still on mywall over here I have a piece
of that IED that tried to killme.
So for me, it's hard for me notto get emotional when I hear
that, but I got to pull myselftogether, mallory, I got to
(04:34):
continue this interview.
No, it's just.
I keep it as a reminder to tryto appreciate every single day
Because, literally, fate has alot to do with us being here and
you did this story about.
You know, the Humvee was justsitting there and he got in the
Humvee and it's just.
You know and it's.
It was that way for me.
With the mortar round that blewup on my Humvee, it was,
(04:56):
according to the EOD, it wasfacing a certain direction and
it was not very properly.
And I'm just thinking to myselfif it was calculated, if it was
a better calculated killingmachine, I wouldn't be here
today.
So God bless you and yourfamily for everything that
you've had to endure over theyears.
That's really difficult for you, but can you tell me how has
(05:17):
your father's military serviceand sacrifice shaped your
perspective on the military andits role in society?
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Yeah, so I really didn't find out about my dad,
like you know, learn about hispassing until I was, you know, I
was about four years old, right, I was, you know, I was going
to school actively and you knowthese children, you know, had
their dads and it was reallyhard for me to like grasp, like
you know, where's my dad.
(05:45):
Do I have a dad?
You know, because you know, andit was really hard for me to
like grasp, like you know,where's my dad.
Do I have a dad?
You know, because you know itwas so hard on my mom, it was
something she just really didn'tbring up.
It was really hard for herbecause, you know, you lose that
part of you that you know fromhigh school, you know they were
together, together for that long, you know it was really hard on
her.
So, so, like, growing up, wereally, like you know, didn't
(06:07):
talk about it.
But there was this one day, um,I was in my room, um, and you
know I was really upset and shehad come in and she asked me
what's wrong and I was like youknow where's my dad?
And at that time I was, likeyou know, I was really upset.
I was worked up about itbecause you know, everyone
around me had their dad and I Ididn't, and she, she told me
(06:31):
that a bad guy killed her andyou know, ever since then it
kind of shaped me, sorry intothe person I am today.
today because I learned abouthis sacrifice.
I learned about the type ofperson he is because of my
family, my family sorry how you?
(06:53):
Um, my family, you know, hastaken the time, you know, to
tell his story.
They want to carry on hislegacy.
You know, to tell his story.
They want to carry on hislegacy.
You know it's been.
This year would be 19 yearssince he, since we lost him.
We still remember him each year.
You know, there's still thatlike it was yesterday, you know,
(07:15):
and I, for me, finding out wasjust like yesterday.
You know, I found out when Iwas four years old and I'm 20
years old now and you know, Istill remember that day very
vividly and it is something likeI would never forget.
And you know, growing up I waslike what can I do to follow in
his footsteps?
I thought about this for yearsand you know, I never knew the
(07:38):
right answer.
I would think of something.
I'm like no, that's not it.
You know, there's somethingelse out there for me and I my
mom's sister and her husband aredoctors and I was like I found
love for the medical field and Iwas like I can help people and
I can give my sense of serviceand helping those in need.
You know, even if it's just,you know, a helping hand or
someone to talk to or the careof a medical professional, you
(08:01):
know I can do it, you know.
So that's what I decided to doand then, as I got older, into
like high school, I was like,you know, I really want to tell
people about my dad.
You know, I want to help otherpeople in that aspect, in that
way, so I can help others,because growing up really I
didn't have anyone thatunderstood me Right.
(08:24):
I went to school with childrenthat had their parents, both
parents, or, you know, they weredivorced or whatever the case
may be.
But you know, there was no wayof getting my dad back.
So I kind of just grew, in thatsense, like, you know, me
growing up was full of grief,but you know, I was like my dad
(08:44):
would not want me to sit hereany longer in grief.
So I decided one day I woke upand I was like I want to get
into public speaking, I want totalk to people, and I I got a
phone call and they were saying,hey, this building is being
dedicated in your father's honor.
You know, do you have a speaker?
(09:05):
And I was like that wants tospeak in your family.
And I was like you know whatI'll do?
And they're like, are you sure?
And I'm like, yeah, I got it.
And I got up there and I toldthe world about my dad and then
I was like that never left mymind ever since I did that.
So I did that in 2022, inOctober, and you know I was
(09:26):
going through school, you know,because I was a senior at the
time and I was like I'm incollege, things aren't going the
right way.
You know, I'm working reallyhard and you know I was not
doing too well with nursingbecause it's not no joke, it's
difficult.
Yeah, it is.
And I was like things aregetting hard.
I'm gonna do what I love.
(09:48):
So I called someone I knew and Isaid is there any way that I
could speak at any events thatyou have?
And he said let me get back toyou.
But a day or two later he askedme he goes do you want to speak
at wreaths across america?
And I said, of course, becausewreaths across america, you know
, remembers the fallen aroundthe christmas time.
(10:10):
So I was like, yeah, I will dothat and I inspired many
children sitting in thataudience and it just really made
me feel good about myself.
You know that I was doingsomething and it wasn't just
nursing.
You know I don't.
I see myself as my father.
You know I see me doingmultiple different jobs within
(10:32):
my lifespan.
You know I don't see me justsettling for just nursing.
I feel like I want to helppeople in different ways.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
Right, Right and wow, what an amazing man.
So chose a career in lawenforcement, chose a career at
the elite level of being in themilitary special forces.
I mean, the man was looking fora very meaningful life.
And you know, growing up, doyou feel like?
First of all, I want to mentionthis too Nursing is no joke.
(11:00):
When I was, when I was becomingan officer, we used to
emphasize trying to find armynurses.
And this is this was during atime, this was during a time of
war.
So, finding someone willing tosign up for the military during
a time of war, finding someonethat could do the physical
fitness stuff, and then findingsomeone with the smarts to make
it through all those super toughcourses that they have to do
(11:21):
with the smarts to make itthrough all those super tough
courses that they have to do.
I mean it was really hard for usduring those times.
But I want to ask you so,growing up, I mean, did you have
a difficult time explaining toyour friends what Operation
Iraqi Freedom was and whatOperation Enduring Freedom was?
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Yeah.
So growing up, you know it'ssomething you don't hear every
day.
Like I said, growing up Ididn't know anyone around me
that had the same experiencethat I did.
No one understood what I wentthrough every day, especially
because I was a baby.
You know, they were older, theyhad memories and, honestly, it
(12:06):
was a lot difficult for them but, like for me, you know, I don't
remember him and I say all thetime like would I rather have
those memories or would I ratherbe, you know, strong and talk
about him today, because,honestly, if I had those
memories I don't think I wouldbe able to do it.
And you know, but when I was,when I tell my friends that
(12:27):
they're just like, really like,they're just shocked because you
just don't hear it and they'relike I'm sorry and it's just
kind of like that's it andyou're like sorry for your loss,
they don't understand and andit's like hard to tell someone
that and then understand it,because they don't know what I
go through every day.
All they see is you know thethings that I do, the things
(12:51):
that you know I've been blessedwith.
You know, like, the things thatI have received, because you
know my dad blessed me with itbecause he sacrificed everything
for me.
And it's difficult becausepeople will see what I have and
see the things that I've beenblessed with my entire life and
(13:14):
the opportunities that I havethat I'm grateful for, and then
they push it back on me likeit's my fault.
But the way I say it all thetime is you know, if it weren't
for people like my dad, wewouldn't have the things we have
today in this country, and thatis the way I go through it, and
(13:39):
I don't care what people thinkof me.
If, deep down, if they cared,they wouldn't treat me like yeah
, I'm sorry for that.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
It's, it's difficult.
I mean, you are part of themilitary community.
Such a tremendous loss and youknow, I didn't wake up this
morning think that I would becrying either.
I, you, you talking about yourfather, um, you know, and his
situation getting killed inaction really hit home for me
because I well, I didn't thinkthis episode would be this heavy
(14:11):
.
I, I didn't, I wasn't thinkingabout it, I didn't it.
For some it just it brings backso much I don't know what's
going on with me right nowemotionally.
It's just it, just wow, kid,like you, your, your dad is very
proud of you and and who youare to me.
I can tell you a lot of parentsout there would love to have a
daughter like yourself.
You know, being as resilient,as strong as you are, and even
if you don't have those memories, I mean having to to cope and
(14:35):
explain to folks.
It's one thing if your parentsare divorced and you know they
live somewhere else, you knowand you can still call them and
yeah, but then having to explainthat they passed away and then
they and they passed.
It's one thing if your parentsare divorced and you know they
live somewhere else, you knowand you can still call them yeah
, but then having to explainthat they passed away and they
passed away during this eventthat most people you know I
think it's less than 5% of theUS population was actually
involved in Operation IraqiFreedom or Operation Enduring
(14:55):
Freedoms.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
The room that you stand in makes it even more
difficult to identify withanybody else in that room for
them to understand thesignificance of his sacrifice.
But what would you say overall?
What were some of the mostchallenging aspects of losing
your father at such a young age?
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Besides talking to your friends and having to
explain to folks, did you findthat adults didn't also
understand?
I ran into you know adult too.
Honestly it's sad, but theydon't care.
I've ran into that.
I've ran into people that docare and I've ran into people
that are like you know, I wantto do anything I can to help you
, and it's really a mix of allthree of those things.
But you know, either way, I'mtelling my dad's story and
(15:52):
that's why I grew up and that'swhat I do.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
You know, and I always tell folks that for
military folks that go to war,go to combat, sometimes it's not
necessarily what you deal withover there.
It's coming back.
Here is what's difficult whenyou sit at a table and you're
getting these questions, orfolks just don't care, or they
ask a question and as soon asyou start to answer, they move
(16:17):
on to the next topic.
You know cause I, when I wentin, I felt like I'm going in for
a bigger cause.
I totally knew what I was doing.
I decided to go from enlistedto officer and I knew that I was
going to deploy.
I just didn't know when andwhen it came my time, which was
really early.
I was 24 years old when Ideployed, right out of college,
(16:37):
brand new butter bar.
I did not anticipate or expect.
And when I found out that I'dbe running convoys and right
after fallujah you know, one ofthe most dangerous times between
when I was there and yourfather was there I just became a
zombie.
It's like a sleepwalk for me.
Um, things happen for a reasonand I was I scrolling on TikTok
(17:01):
and I found your profile for areason.
Just listening to your storyand listening to your resiliency
is really refreshing for me,mallory, thank you.
I want to ask about some of theoutside folks that helped out
with your overall coping andmemorializing your father over
the years.
You know, with your overallcoping and memorializing your
(17:22):
father over the years.
You're in organizations likethe Green Beret Foundation.
What role do they play in?
Speaker 2 (17:26):
supporting you after your father's passing.
So the Green Beret Foundationrecognizes my dad every single
year on June 8th 2000,.
You know, whatever year it is,they always have and I value
them a lot.
I you know that they rememberhim and even though it's almost
been, you know, 19 years, theystill remember him.
He's never forgotten.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
Yeah, that's a very small community of folks out
there and I've known a few folksover the years that were also
Green Berets, friends of mineover the years, co-workers and
things like that, and that's avery small, tight knit community
and it's a very honor, a verybig honor, to be part of that
community as well, year afteryear.
You mentioned that your familycontinues to remember your
(18:09):
father's legacy.
How exactly do you guys do that?
Speaker 2 (18:14):
Well, every June 8th we get together at my mom's
house.
Sadly, my dad's mom and dad'ssister live in Georgia, so
sometimes they're up here,sometimes they're not, but we
just celebrate his life andwe're all together and we just
tell stories, and we do that andget food, because that's what
(18:36):
he would want us to be doing,right right.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Yeah, I mean it's important to just take a pause
and take the time out of yourbusy year to just come together
as a family and see one anotherand catch up.
I mean, I I always say that youknow, anymore living around or
near family isn't enough.
You have to live between that,their house and the grocery
store for them to come visit you, right?
So so even just coming togetheris a big deal and I'm sure he'd
(19:02):
be extremely proud of that thatyou guys have done that.
I can't believe it's beenalmost 20 years.
It's hard to believe it's been20 years for me since I deployed
.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
And it's like I'm 20 years old.
So it's like, oh my gosh, Ican't blink, I'm 20.
I turn 20 on Saturday and I'mjust like I feel old.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
After you feel old, after you hit 21, it's like you
blink and you become 30, andthen you blink again and you're
40.
So make the most of it for sure.
So are there any specificprojects or causes that you're
involved in that are dedicatedto supporting military families
or raising awareness about theirsacrifices?
Speaker 2 (19:41):
I am not currently in any, so I'm actually trying to
contact people to get involved.
I actually was doing thatearlier this week.
I want to be involved and Iknow a few family members of
mine also want to be involved aswell.
You know, just to be with othergold star families.
We just want to be a part ofeverything with gold star
(20:04):
families yeah, no, I know thatyou're only 20 right now.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
You're just getting started on your journey, so I'm
catching you on the on the verybeginning of your of your
journey and your in your pathand, like I said, it's a very,
very huge honor for to do that.
Is there any other way thatyour, your father's life and his
sacrifice has inspired yourpersonal or your professional
goals overall?
(20:28):
I know you mentioned earlierthat you want to make the most
of it.
You want to do a multitude ofthings, but anytime when the
going gets tough, what?
What pulls you through?
Speaker 2 (20:39):
I just say you know my dad didn't.
You know he worked hard foreverything that he's done.
So you know I can't give up.
So you know I've gone throughschool, you know I haven't done
well, and I just get back up andI do it again.
And you know I keep going at it.
You know if it takes me anotherdetour, you know.
So what I don't, it doesn'tmatter how long it takes me.
(21:01):
I'll just you know I'll bethere one day, yeah.
Speaker 1 (21:04):
Yeah, it's all about.
You know what that's?
That's the thing about it too.
I was never the smartest in myclass.
I was never able to just sitthere and read the book and like
pass the test, but I was alwayswilling to fall down, get back
(21:25):
up, brush myself off and keep ongoing.
All the naysayers when I wasgrowing up, I mean, I had
guidance counselors tell me thatI was not college material.
I had a lot of people thatdidn't believe in me.
I had some people that were inmy corner that did believe in me
, like my father, but overallthe one thing that got me
through was just being resilient, having that grit, not being
born with that silver spoon inmy mouth and just being a
scrapper.
And it sounds like that's thekind of person that you are
overall, and I know your fatheris I know your father's up there
(21:48):
looking down extremely proud ofeverything that you've
accomplished so far and thewoman that you're looking to
become.
What lessons, what lessonswould you think came out of
growing up in this situationthat you were in, with a father
that was killed during war,having to explain what?
What lessons or values do youthink you gained from it?
Do you think it made youtougher.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
Yeah, for sure.
And I would also say I don'ttake things for granted.
The time that I spend withpeople, you know I don't take
that for granted because youknow something, you know
something and someone that meantso much to me and was so close
to me was just taken away fromme like instantly.
(22:31):
You know, it didn't take longat all, like a year, and it's
like I never really trulyunderstood why or how.
And you, you know you have allthese questions like that can't
be answered because you know hewas in special forces.
I don't really know the entirestoryline of it.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
I mean, I know most of it to a full extent but, like
you know, there's details thatI have and questions that I have
, you know, that may not be ableto be answered well, you know
and, and I was just thinking tomyself that overall, growing up,
I mean you kind of had to fendfor yourself when it came to you
(23:13):
know, the other kids andeverything like that, and had to
had to figure it out foryourself.
You know, without I guess itwas just you and your mom
growing up, right?
Speaker 2 (23:23):
so mostly.
My mom did get remarried andhave another child.
I have 11 year old brother umwho's on the spectrum, so, and
he's great, he really is greatthat's great.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
So you developed another family and and you're
able to like kind of, you know,at least have somewhat of a of a
of a growth with a sibling andthings like that.
That's, that's awesome.
But what I want to ask youabout Gold Star families what
message would you like to sharewith other Gold Star families
out there who have experiencedsuch similar losses as yours?
Speaker 2 (23:56):
I would say you know we're in this together and you
know if you ever need someone,there's people out there to talk
to.
And you know I say this all thetime because when I went to
Columbus I met a Gold Starfamily and I told them you know
I'm always here for you.
You know, just text me, call me.
You know contact me on anysocial media, I'll answer.
(24:18):
And you know, even if it's justsomeone you need to talk to or
you need to call or you needanything, you know, just please
let me know.
And you know I, the children, Itell them, you know, never give
up on chasing your dreams.
You know you got to make yourparent proud because you know
they worked hard for what theywanted to do and you have to do
(24:40):
the same thing and not to letgrief overtake your entire life.
Speaker 1 (24:44):
I've had to.
I tell you what.
That's an extremely importantmessage for folks.
Just drive on, drive on.
Anytime that I've ever been in aruck march, forced ruck march
or a run or anything like thatwent up in the military.
My father was in the military.
(25:05):
He 20 years, drafted in 71, andhe was a real tough guy and I
just kept telling myself todrive on, keep going, like don't
give up, and then go and gettough, get going, and I think
that's that's kind of the greatthing about having such tough,
tough fathers, like like evenyours that we are.
Are we developed that mentalitytoo, to to keep going and keep
fighting?
Have you, have you had anychances to talk to any of your
father's peers, any other NCOs,and ask them about, like, how he
(25:28):
was, or you know?
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Yeah, yeah, of course they.
They'd been there for me sinceday one.
You know they'd been there forme, there for my family and you
know we're very close with youknow some officers of my dad,
you know when he was in policeand then you know the Green
Beret unit that he was in.
You know we're very close withthem all too and we actually see
them.
(25:50):
You know, once around in Junethey actually do a parachute
jump at Rickenbacker where theunit jumps out of airplanes in
honor of my father and then wehave a lunch afterwards.
So it's beautiful.
I mean everything that they'vedone.
You know everyone has done forme.
We really appreciate it, Likeyou do.
(26:11):
I'm just so blessed foreveryone and I have in my life
and everything and I, you know.
It just makes me want to getback to other people.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
I know for many, for much of your time feeling
understood is probably somethingthat's absent.
But when you're in those smallcommunities, like in June with
the, with the special forcesunit, I'm sure it feels really
great to be around like-mindedfolks with the ability to
understand where you're comingfrom right.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
Yeah, yeah, it does, and I also in 2022, my
scholarship program.
They all had like a.
They all their program is forchildren who have, you know,
lost a parent and you know I gotto meet up with 25 other
children around the same age asme down in Tampa, florida, and I
(27:03):
got to meet them and, like youknow, compare like experiences
and how to cope with things, andyou know that's really when I
met people that went through thesame thing as me is when I went
down to Tampa.
So I'm surrounded by people thatI know that went through the
same thing as me and you knowthey're all from all over the
country and it's just truly ablessing as well, just to know
(27:26):
people and you know, have funand, like you know, learn about,
you know, school and what ourfuture is going to look like,
and just to plan out everythingyou know and to see what
everyone is doing and, like youknow, some of those people are
going to be future doctors.
You know, and it's, you know,good that they overcame it as
well and we told our stories andyou know it was just a great
(27:52):
time we had down there together.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
I didn't think talking to you today would be so
heavy.
I didn't think that I wouldactually start to cry during
this episode.
I I didn't think talking to youtoday would be so heavy.
I didn't think that I wouldactually start to cry during
this episode.
I really didn't.
I did not think a whole lot ofit.
I just thought I just want tobe a part of this young lady's
journey to memorializing herfather, who made the ultimate
sacrifice.
I guess, because it's so closeto home for me, he was deployed
(28:17):
a year after I got back.
I have an idea of what he wasdealing with.
Very difficult time in ourhistory and this.
I've had to pull myself backseveral times during this
episode to not pull out, juststart balling out.
So but it's, I mean it feelsgood to talk to you.
It feels good to have theopportunity to talk about him
(28:39):
and then give you theopportunity to talk about
yourself and your journey.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
And I just want to no , it's.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
It's an honor for me honestly.
Thank you for replying to mymessages and stuff and and and
working this out, but I want togive you one last opportunity.
Okay, if you could speak toyour father today, if you could
speak to your father today, whatwould you want him to know
about the person you've become?
Speaker 2 (29:01):
I would say it was because of him.
Thank you for being such a rolemodel for me To follow in your
footsteps.
That's what I would say.
Speaker 1 (29:09):
I know he's really proud of you.
Thank you, Mallory.
So just to finish off theepisode today, thank you so much
for this opportunity.
Is there anything else you wantto mention before we finish the
show?
So today, thank you so much forthis opportunity.
Is there anything else?
Speaker 2 (29:18):
you want to mention before we finish the show?
I don't know.
That is all.
Thank you guys.
Thank you guys for everyonelistening to my story as well.
I really appreciate it and myfamily is beyond blessed to have
all these people who support usand follow my journey and
follow my dad's legacy.
Speaker 1 (29:34):
You know, I want you to know, I want you to keep
going Everything you're doing onsocial media.
You know, I want you to know, Iwant you to keep going
Everything you're doing onsocial media.
You know, connecting with otherfolks out there.
Mallory, I'm going to make surethat in the show notes that I
put um all the social mediasthat you want folks to follow.
Cause like I said, you're juststarting out in your first mile
of this journey of life.
You're only 20 years old.
You're still finishing upcollege.
(29:54):
You know, I would like to seewhere you go with all this.
You have a great start toeverything, but I'll make sure
folks out there listening.
If you're watching this onYouTube, scroll down to the
bottom.
In the description You'll findthe links to connect with
Mallory on her social media.
I know TikTok is going to begone, or should be gone, by the
(30:15):
time this episode, but we'll seewhat happens with that whole
thing.
Speaker 2 (30:18):
We'll see yeah.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
You're on Instagram as well, and are you on LinkedIn
?
Speaker 2 (30:23):
Yes, I am.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
LinkedIn.
Okay, so if you're open to it,we'll go ahead and put all those
on there as well.
Mallory, I just want to thankyou for joining me on the
Morning Formation today andtelling your story.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
For everyone else out there.
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