BECAUSE OF PETER

BECAUSE OF PETER
The Sacrifice That Built A Mission Of Healing
Written by Steven Nisbet

​Some days weigh heavier for some than others. For me, that day is today: October 8.

Six years ago, my team and I were conducting mountain rescue training in Idaho, an often benign training evolution that usually ends in banter about skill and really cool pictures. This one ended in the team working as hard as we could to try and save our friend's life after the anchor being used failed, resulting in him falling 60+ feet. That day will haunt me, the guys that were with me, and his family forever. I wish every day that it were different. But if you knew Peter, you'd know he would want good to come from his sacrifice. In that pursuit of good, Shields & Stripes was founded.

​I am often asked why I started, but never why I continue... why I fight so hard to make this succeed. Here's why: I'll be damned to have his loss be in vain, and his impact is destined to be in the thousands.

So, with every program we finish, I make sure that they know his legacy will live with us. The reason they were able to be treated by our team was because of his sacrifice. That is why his Ops Initials are on the coin we present; a part of him is with each of them. And now they carry the burden of spreading the good news.

But that is not Peter's greatest impact after his loss. His greatest impact was not just restoring my faith, but finding it. Without him, I'd still be the lost sheep—a seed fallen upon stone, destined to die. But now I am on fertile ground, bearing fruit for others, and feeding them the gift he has given me.

I wish every day that things were different. And I thank him every day for saving me. Today, I will be remembering what he has done for me. ∎

Learn more about Shields & Stripes:
​shieldsandstripes.org