Journey to Patriot Academy
In early July, my son Landon and I packed up the truck and headed for the hills of Fredericksburg, Texas…a peaceful little town that lives up to its name in more ways than one. We were headed to Patriot Academy, a leadership training ground where faith, freedom, and purpose collide. In recent years Landon has taken a keen interest in the projects I am involved with, and I was excited to have him join me on this journey.
There’s something incredibly meaningful about sharing experiences like this with your son. Patriot Academy isn’t just another summer camp. It’s a crucible. And for young students like Landon, it can be life-changing.
On July 3rd, as part of the final session of the day, I was honored to sit alongside Patriot Academy founder Rick Green for a panel on the current state of media in America. The room was filled with bright, curious students who weren’t afraid to dig into difficult questions. We talked about everything from cameras and production gear to navigating the negativity that seems to saturate our political climate. It was a hopeful conversation that reminded me why media still matters, and why it’s worth fighting for truth in a world clouded by spin.
The energy was electric, the questions were sharp, and I believe the students left that room with a better understanding of how impactful their voices can be. As we wrapped up the session, Rick asked Rebecca Lavrenz, the “Praying Grandma”, to pray for me. I left proud of the work being done, and happy to see Landon listening and taking it all in. After dinner at Mamacita’s, and a quick trip to Walmart, we called it a day.
But the very next morning, everything changed.
News began pouring in of catastrophic flooding just 20 minutes south of us. Roads had washed out, children were missing, and lives were being upended in real time. What started as a joyful, purpose-filled trip took a stark turn as the reality of the disaster unfolded just down the highway in Kerrville.
The contrast was jarring: one day, we’re in a room talking about how to bring light to dark places through media…and the next, we’re witnessing darkness move in…fast and unrelenting.
That same day, as the rain kept falling and news of the devastation continued to spread, Landon and I returned to the Patriot Academy campus unsure of what we’d find. As we pulled in, we saw something that left a lasting impression on both of us. There was Rick, out in the pouring rain with a shovel in his hands, working to keep the roads passable for the families and students staying on site. No cameras. No stage. Just a man doing the work. It hit me in that moment: true leadership isn’t about titles or platforms, it’s about showing up when it counts. Watching Rick lead by example, soaked to the bone but unwavering in his responsibility to protect and serve those under his care, spoke volumes. It was the kind of leadership you don’t just hear about…you FEEL it.
And for Landon to witness that firsthand? I can’t think of a better lesson.
In the days and weeks that followed, the nation saw what it looks like when a community rallies. We saw how true leadership isn’t just taught, but it’s lived out in the moments that demand it most. And we saw, once again, why places like Patriot Academy matter. Because when the storms come, we need leaders who don’t flinch…even when the floodwaters rise.
