Echo Valor Podcast

Built by Fire - Chapter 20: Ashes and Aftermath (Audiobook)

David Burnell

Ashes and Aftermath is a raw, honest chapter exploring the hidden costs of a life spent in service. While missions and rescues leave visible scars, the deepest wounds often remain unseen—paid in missed moments, quiet distance, and relationships strained under the weight of duty. This chapter shares the personal story of how answering the call to serve during crises like Haiti’s earthquake led to the unraveling of a 26-year marriage. It is not a tale of blame, but of confession and reflection, offering a caution to those driven to protect and serve: the mission at home matters too. It is a reminder that the same fire that drives us to rescue others can burn what we love most if we are not vigilant—and that the hardest mission is sometimes learning to rebuild, heal, and be truly present where it counts.

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