ISSUE # 93 ❖ FALL 2022
L-R : JOYCE AND BRETT VELICOVICH , MICHAEL , S0PHIA AND FRANKIE BROOKS .
CALL OF DUTY
IF YOU LISTEN CLOSELY , YOU CAN HEAR YOUR CALLING .
I think we all struggle at times about our chosen career path and what we could have been if we would have chosen something different . For some of us , it ’ s late in the game , but for many , there is still time to make that radical change and go for it . That career you ’ ve always dreamed of but thought it just wasn ’ t attainable , may be just a decision away and the only thing that is really stopping you is you . he heard . Now 20 years later , the war in Ukraine called his name . It did not take much convincing for him to saddle up and head straight to the thick of it helping others in need . See Drone Warrior on page 70 . It wasn ’ t just a sightseeing trip to bag a few trophies . He ’ s traveled there multiple times and at the time of publication was planning his next trip .
Velicovich ’ s commitment and passion is contagious and reminds me that every waking moment is an opportunity to go and do while we still can . We will have plenty of time when we are sitting in that rocking chair to reminisce but now is the time to listen to that voice . For me , it ’ s been a whisper and fleeting thought and if I don ’ t snatch it up , it moves on as quickly as it appeared . It ’ s these moments I look back on now as those “ important ” times that I am thankful that I didn ’ t just let them go . I cannot say I answered them all and that is my struggle , but we all have a calling and the difference is , are we prepared to answer it ?
Brett Velicovich seems to have it all . An amazing home in one of the most exciting cities in the South , a beautiful wife with a baby on the way and a best selling book about his adventurous career . A man like that could be kicking back and taking it easy with feet up reminiscing about the good ol ’ days . But Velicovich still has that hunger for more . As a freshman in college , he was on a path to becoming a doctor when 9 / 11 changed everything . That was the call
MANY THANKS & KEEP READING MICHAEL BROOKS / CREATOR
20 SOUTH Fall 2022
PHOTO by BLAKE CROSBY