Strength in the Shadows

During our Seattle distribution yesterday, we met a man who asked to go by “Irish,” whose story carries the weight of service, sacrifice, and the difficult realities veterans often face when returning home.

Irish was born in Ireland and raised in Washington before becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen. He went on to serve as an Army marksman, completing two tours in Iraq. When reflecting on his time overseas, he told us the biggest lesson he learned was that “war is pointless,” yet he also reminded us how much we owe to the men and women who serve our country with courage.

He opened up about how hard it is for veterans to transition back to civilian life, especially while carrying trauma that doesn’t fade when the uniform comes off. Irish has been living on the streets and is currently battling stage 3 liver cancer. Despite his diagnosis, he shared that he was recently offered work as a mercenary in Ukraine beginning January 1st—an opportunity he hopes could help him support his 7-year-old daughter.

Staying safe on the streets, he said, is a daily struggle. Still, his resilience shows through his words and the way he chooses to keep going. Irish left us with a message that stays with you long after hearing it:“Run until you can’t, then crawl until you can’t, then find someone who will pick you up and carry you with them.”

Stories like Irish’s remind us that even those who have served and sacrificed for others often face the hardest battles once they’re home—and that compassion, presence, and support can be a lifeline for someone fighting to stay standing.