Former Marine, Phil Downer speaks to the Marines and

Former Marine, Phil Downer speaks to the Marines and Sailors of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing on hardships and resiliency during an operational pause on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., July 3, 2018. Over 100 service members gathered to listen to the former Vietnam veteran discuss the challenges they will face while serving and the prevention techniques to persevere through them. “The most important thing is to work as a team and to put others before you. That is what our core values are about,” said Downer. “Sometimes when you are here, you are thinking about home, things aren’t fair or you don’t understand why, but work as a team and you will get through it.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Autmn Laning)