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What does it mean to become a Gold Star Family? How do you move forward after losing a Navy SEAL son in combat?

In this powerful episode of The Not Special Show, former Navy pilot Tom Feeks and registered nurse Ginny Feeks share the story of their son, Navy SEAL Patrick "Pat" Feeks, their daughter Regina Feeks, a Navy officer and physician assistant, and the journey of faith, family, military service, and resilience after unimaginable loss.

This conversation explores life in a military family, deployments, raising children while serving, the realities of combat, and what it means to honor a fallen warrior while continuing to live with purpose. If you're interested in Navy SEAL stories, Gold Star families, military life, veteran stories, Special Operations, leadership, and overcoming grief, this is a conversation you won't forget.

Tom and Ginny don't consider themselves special. After listening, you will.

In this episode:
* The life and legacy of Navy SEAL Patrick Feeks
* Becoming Gold Star parents
* Tom's 28-year career as a U.S. Navy pilot
* Ginny's career as a registered nurse and military spouse
* Raising children through military moves and deployments
* What families experience while loved ones are deployed
* The phone call that changed everything
* Faith, resilience, and finding purpose after loss
* Lessons every parent can learn from
* Why service continues long after the uniform comes off

⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS
00:24 Why Tom & Ginny Feeks Are Special
02:38 Tom's Journey to Becoming a Navy Pilot
05:59 Ginny's Nursing Career & Military Life
10:46 Navigating a Career as a Military Spouse
14:08 GOVX
15:45 Courtship Before the Internet at the Naval Academy
25:28 Going Home to a Controlling Dad
29:24 Raising Kids and Balancing Careers Around the World
33:54 Signs of a Navy SEAL as a Child
39:51 GI Joe in Real Life
42:48 Two Kids Deployed
47:16 Having a Daughter Deployed to Combat
49:26 OPSEC
52:12 Funny Navy Story Drinking at a Brothel
53:50 The Phone Call No Parent Wants, Outside of Protocol
1:00:57 Becoming Gold Star Parents
1:07:12 Humor in the Worst Moments of Grief
1:11:40 Overloaded With Admin Tasks
1:16:17 A Moment of Clarity in the Loss
1:18:15 Leadership is Showing You Care
1:20:39 What Helped Them Get Through the Tragedy
1:25:50 Navy SEAL Saves Green Beret’s Life
1:30:46 When She Knew It Would Be OK
1:35:26 Questioning Himself Teaching Military Officers
1:38:59 Lessons on Grief, Family & Purpose
1:53:07 Honoring the Pat Feeks Legacy
2:08:04 Impact of Kids Reading Young
2:11:42 Top Secret Story
2:15:15 What they value most in life

Links mentioned in this episode:
Fundraiser: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/great-frogs-wine-tasting-to-benefit-the-navy-seal-foundation-tickets-1990181159422
Fields of Athenry: https://fieldsofathenryfarm.com


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🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com
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Checkout www.govx.com for great discounts and they give back to the community every month, the August GOVX Give Back supports the Travis Manion Foundation.

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