“Let’s All Be More Like Irv”

Happy 250th Birthday to the United States Marine Corps!

Each year when I offer this birthday wish, I do so with deep sincerity because many of the greatest people I’ve known and the most loyal friends I’ve ever had have been Marines. Over time, I’ve asked myself: Why do I find so many of my most meaningful friendships among Marines? What is it about them that resonates so strongly?

As I reflect, I’ve come to see that the answer holds powerful lessons not just about patriotism or service, but about leadership, mentorship, culture, and how they operate. To deepen that, I’ll share a bit of the historical legacy of the Marine Corps and connect it to the story of one of my clients from the past, Irv, whose life embodies those lessons. Then I’ll show how these insights apply to you as a home-care business developer.

A Short History of a Defining Era

One of the most storied chapters for the Marine Corps occurred during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War (late 1950). The facts are striking:

• Roughly 30,000 UN troops (including Marines) found themselves surrounded by over 120,000 Chinese troops near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. 

• Temperatures plunged to –36 °F (–38 °C) or worse; the terrain was unforgiving, logistics were almost impossible, weapons and vehicles faltered. 

• Despite the odds, the Marines and their allied units held the line, executed a fighting withdrawal along a 78-mile road through brutal terrain, preserved much of their force, and evacuated tens of thousands of civilians. 

• This campaign became a defining moment for the Marine Corps, soldiers of that era called themselves the “Chosin Few.” 

From this history we see some key themes emerge: mentorship under pressure, loyalty and solidarity even when the world is falling apart, a culture of identity that transcends the individual, and a fierce commitment to serve, not just survive.

Irv’s Story: Living That Legacy

Now let me bring this home with one of my former and most dear senior-care clients, whose story has stayed with me long after his care days: Irv.

• Irv was a Frozen Chosin survivor, a member of the “Chosin Few”, one of the Marines who endured that brutal Korean winter and that historic campaign.

• As part of his plan of care, we arranged for him to be the guest of honor at a Marine Corps Ball. I’ll never forget the sparkle in his eyes that night: a Marine Veteran, honored among his fellow Marines young and old, still proud, still standing.

• Later, when I was activated with the Army National Guard (2018-2019), despite his age and needing assistance himself, Irv kept in touch. He checked in to make sure I was okay coming back home. He asked about my transition. He cared.

• Even in decline, he was still in service, still in the business of supporting a fellow veteran. That’s who Irv was. That’s the legacy of the Chosin Few, even when the fight is over, the camaraderie and service continue.

Writing this brings tears to my eyes because it was so real. His care for me, his enduring commitment to his values, his humility and kindness despite everything…all of it is a blueprint for how we should lead and serve in our industry.

What You Can Apply in Home Care Business Development

Here’s how you can take those lessons from the Marine Corps legacy and Irv’s life, and apply them meaningfully in your home care business and referral-driven strategy:

1. Mentor without expectation.

2. Be the reliable friend in the trenches.

3. Cultivate a culture bigger than yourself.

4. Lead with legacy in mind. 

They Mentor Without Expectation. 

Marines invest their time to teach and mentor not because they stand to gain something, but because that’s who they are. Irv, in particular, taught me lessons about sales, leadership, and integrity that I still apply today. He didn’t need to. He chose to. That’s the kind of leadership that transforms a culture, one that’s built on contribution, not transaction. For home care business developers: Who are you mentoring? Who will say, years from now, that you were the one who slowed down long enough to help them become better?

Action:

Invest in people, not transactions. Schedule one "growth check in" with a referral partner to help THEM succeed. Do this once per week with the sole focus on how can you help THEM be successful. 

They Mean It When They Say They Care.

When a Marine says they’re your friend they mean it. They show up. They answer the call. In home care, we talk about being “relationship-driven,” but relationships aren’t built in the easy moments. They’re built in the follow-up, the late-night text to check in, the showing up when it’s inconvenient. For home care business developers: Don’t just network: connect. Don’t just meet people: be there for them.

Action: 

Be reliable in the trenches. Show up early. Follow through. Stay steady when others panic. After a service failure personally meet with the family and referral partner to take responsibility and ownership of the solution moving forward. After a start of care, personally follow-up with the family and referral partner at these intervals...24 hours, 7 days, 30 days, then every 30 days depending on the type of referral partner. 

They Embody a Pride Bigger Than Themselves. 

The pride a Marine carries isn’t arrogance. It’s belonging. It’s stewardship. It’s knowing they represent something larger than themselves. Those who came before and those who will follow. For home care agencies: Imagine if every member of your team felt that same conviction about your mission, that same sacred duty to uphold your values, protect your reputation, and serve families with honor. Culture isn’t built by slogans. It’s built by example.

Action: 

Build a culture bigger than yourself. Pride isn't ego, it's stewardship. Craft a "We SERVE Because" statement and share it with your team and referral partners. 

Lead With Legacy In Mind. 

Leading with legacy in mind means understanding that leadership is not about the moment. It's about what remains long after you've moved on. The United States Marine Corps builds it's culture around this principle: every Marine is trained to uphold honor, discipline, and excellence not just for themselves, but for the generations of Marines who came before and those who will follow. That same mindset applies to home care businesses. When you lead with legacy, every interaction with referral partners families, and your team becomes part of something larger. You're not just building a client list; you're building a reputation, a standard of care, and a culture of dependability that others can trust and carry forward. Legacy-driven leadership transforms transactions into impact and ensures that your agency's name stands for service, strength and integrity. 

Action: 

What you build today should still stand tomorrow. Have an in-person meeting with your team and have a "Legacy Reflection" slide to you use to discuss this topic with them. At each orientation with caregivers include this "Legacy Reflection" as part of your process. In each presentation in front of referral partners include this "Legacy Reflection" slide. Get into the practice of sharing your "Legacy Reflection" verbiage in referral partner interactions even when it is not an official presentation. 

Final Thoughts

Leadership and service are not merely roles you fill. They are identities you adopt. Pride isn’t about ego, it’s about stewardship. Mentorship isn’t transactional, it’s relational. Culture isn’t created overnight, it’s lived daily. Just like the Marines at Chosin, just like Irv, let your work be bigger than what you get. Let your referrals, your families, and your caregivers see that you stand with them. That you’re in it with them. And that you carry the mission through frost, through turbulence, through change. Be proud of the mission you’re on. Be disciplined in how you serve. Be unwavering in what you stand for. And above all, be more like Irv.

Happy Birthday, Marines. Thank you for showing us what service, loyalty, and culture look like.