Three men, one Marine Dream Team -- this United States Marine Corps article for Leatherneck Magazine is one that I am most honored to have written

I don’t know if most people are aware of how much time and work goes into producing an article. The process is long and, depending on your topic and the people you are working with, interviews can be challenging and scheduling photos can be hard.

But, as you write an article, and as you really get to the crux of the story, you really get to know the people about whom you write. Sometimes, when I write locally, I meet an individual who has such a unique story that I want to share it with more than just our community, as was the case with this man: Nicholas Montijo.

From the moment I met him, I knew there was something special about him. His modest nature, however, belied his accomplishments.

I was intimidated at first. I will be honest: before I met Nick, I hadn’t knowingly interviewed a veteran – or at least asking that question wasn’t on my radar. I didn’t spend a lot of time around veterans, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Knowing that he wrestled with the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, I posed delicately phrased questions. That was a few articles and a couple of years ago.

With each article, I have learned just a little more about his story ~ and it makes me ever that much more proud of this Leatherneck Magazine article. This is his story – and the story of two of his Marine brothers. It is what makes him a hero ~ to me, to my family, to other veterans and to all those who really take the time to know him.

I am so impressed with Nick. When I first interviewed him, he was on the cusp of a passion that he wanted to share with others. Now he is at the top of his game, and he is bringing up others right alongside him.

It is his kindness and his gentleness that I respect the most. He has been a role model to my children and to me. To see him receive unexpected recognition for his accomplishments makes my heart happy. And that he trusted me to tell a deeper part of his story, I will forever be grateful. I feel incredibly blessed to have been given the opportunity to know him and watch him work with so many other veterans – to encourage them and to give them hope.

Through Nick, I met Fred, who has incredible courage and an uncompromising willingness to take a risk in order to change the lives of others. He never gives up. He is always there for others. He is a Marine, through and through.  

He didn't come to BraveHearts as a cowboy, but he is a quick-learner, astute and someone who knows that he will succeed – no matter what. Being a photographer, Fred gives me a hard time about Marines not smiling. I know better. He has a smile that pushes others to keep on keeping on. His smile says, “I know you think you can’t, but you can.” It’s hard to catch it on camera, but he wears his heart on his sleeve and when he smiles, the world smiles with him.

Nick said that Fred always is willing to sit down and talk to a veteran. I’ve seen that in his work with veterans, but also at Woodstock Harley-Davidson where he met a friend of mine – without me! The two talked and connected as Marines.

He is a hero. Not only is he a veteran who served our great nation, but he also served in law enforcement and he has saved lives on the job. He continues to save lives now through his ability to relate to veterans and reach out to other Marines.

And then there is Marshall. He has shown up on horseback and on a motorcycle and in plain clothes. He could show up in almost anything, and I might not recognize him. My fondest story of him is at a Harley-Davidson event where he came right up next to me and started chatting. I was sure I had never seen this leather-clad, Harley-riding man before, and I told him he must be mistaking me for someone else. He insisted that he had spoken to me the day before. I told him that he most certainly had not, and I tried to slowly walk away. He removed his sunglasses and his bandana, and, sure enough, I HAD spoken with him at a Special Olympics event the day before ~ but he was wearing a cowboy hat and boots. He is a man of many hats, and he is ready and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. He is kind and friendly and works hard to extend a helping hand to those in need.

These three men have made such a huge difference in the world. I have no doubt that they change the world everywhere and anywhere they are – whether it is on horseback, amongst friends or just walking down the street. I am grateful to them for the sacrifices they have made for our country. I stand in awe of the courage it took for them to try something new and to thrive. And I will be forever thankful that they allowed me to have a small glimpse into their lives, because their lives are inspirational. Their lives are powerful. Their lives have a purpose.

You can read their Leatherneck Magazine feature article here:

To view this larger version of this pdf, please click here

A United States Marine Dream Team!

Marshall is getting ready to become an instructor very soon.

Fred likes to go by "Cowboy" both on a bike and at the barn.

"Cowboy" fits his personality and his talents.

Nick, Marshall and Fred are at home riding together.

This was one of my favorite pictures -- I love the dust coming up from Huff's hooves.

Nick has been riding the longest ~ and, despite his humble nature, he has made national headlines as the first Wounded Warrior to begin as a participant of the PATH International Therapeutic Riding program and to then become a therapeutic riding instructor.

BraveHearts provides a respite for veterans.

Paddy McKevitt, Nicholas Montijo and Meggan Hill-McQueeney.