Family Trio of Former Marines Brings ‘Honor’ To Life

Brunswick welcomed a trio of Marine Corps veterans — Terry, Ward, and Grant Savage — to the Upper School for a discussion and Q & A session rooted in the concept of honor on Thursday, February 8.
 
Richard Breeden, a Brunswick parent and former Chairman of the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, introduced the program to the gathering of students and faculty — as Breeden and his family work to bring to Brunswick distinguished guests with unique insight and perspective into the School’s ideals of Courage, Honor, and Truth.
 
Terry Savage served as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps, including a tour of duty in the Republic of South Vietnam. His sons, Ward and Grant, both joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served four years as infantry officers. Each served two tours of duty in Iraq as a platoon commander.
 
All three told personal stories of their experiences in combat and on the front lines — but stressed that they weren’t on hand as part of a recruiting exercise.
 
“You don’t have to walk through the jungles of Vietnam or the streets of Iraq to build your own internal fortitude,” Terry said.
 
“Take the physical nature out of it. Take the male ego part of it. Simply be truthful to yourself, be courageous in your convictions, and be honorable in your actions.”
 
Each encouraged the youthful and engaged audience to make the word “honor” come alive.
 
“We’re here to try to take you out of your everyday element and inspire you to think about different things,” Ward said. “There are lessons we learned in the Marine Corps that you can learn from us — without having to join yourself.
 
“It’s a privilege and an honor to follow the legacy of those who came before you,” he said. “Honor your obligations. Honor your commitments. Honor your word.”
 
All have gone on to successful careers in business since completing their service — quick to note that lessons learned in the Marine Corps apply substantially to the civilian world.
 
“It’s knowing that character is something built over time,” Grant said. “Your decisions ripple through your character, and you have to have the fortitude and moral courage to do the right thing.
 
“If you continue to do the right thing over time, everybody will look at you as a person of honor and strong character.”
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