Donald J. Trump

I've had my jaw shattered, broken, and rebroken three times.

I had my jaw wired shut for over 12 weeks, and I lost over 50 pounds.

I have spent approximately 190 hours in surgery under anesthesia.

Thankfully, my SEAL teammates continually remind me that I should be super thankful because apparently all the plastic surgery is merely an improvement on how I used to look.

While in the hospital, struggling with my devastating wounds, disfigurement, and the possibility that my SEAL career was over, I made a choice.

I could continue to lay there and feel sorry for myself, or I could choose to set the example of so many other amazing warriors that had set before me.

I would author a sign I would place on the hospital door on a bright orange piece of paper that would say, attention to all who enter here.

If you're coming in this room with sorrow to feel sorry for my wounds, don't bother.

The wounds I received, I got in a job that I love, doing it for people I love, defending the freedom of a country I deeply love.

I will overcome.

If you are not prepared for that, go elsewhere.

That sign took on a life of its own, going viral across the media and earning me an invitation to the White House to meet President Bush.

A lot of people want to make a big deal about it, but I know what it represents.

It represents the spirit of the United States Navy and its warriors.

It represents all of you.

What will your sign on the door say?

So we have come full circle, 250 years on this journey from the Revolutionary War to today.

Amazing sailors who chose to sacrifice for the future of our great nation, choice and sacrifice.

This final message is to our current sailors, all of you

are amazing Americans who chose to serve, willing to sacrifice everything so that our fellow Americans can have life, liberty, and pursue happiness.