“At some time or another, we all get shot down, are all POW’s – prisoners of ‘woe.’ Be tough, Bounce back. Don’t just survive. Go beyond survival.”

When life loses meaning

“When life loses its meaning, when suddenly the world is turned upside down, when there’s nothing left that resembles life as we’ve known it, where do we find the strength and sustenance to go on? For naval aviator Jerry Coffee and others who were held as prisoners of war in North Vietnam, there was only one choice: to go within.

Beyond Survival

Captain Coffee’s book, Beyond Survival is a journey into the invincible human spirit that unites heart and mind in a compelling and unforgettable experience. Drawing from his seven years as a POW, Captain Coffee provides timeless lessons that apply to the physical, emotional, and ethical challenges of everyday life. Proving that leadership and creativity are possible in difficult and uncertain circumstances, Captain Coffee offers a message we can draw on in any trying situation.

Conviction must come from within

His story demonstrates that conviction must come from within, and in telling that story he touches the place inside of us where growth begins. Beyond Survival is a positive statement about love and commitment in the midst of war and division. It contrasts the cold reality of war, degradation, and torture with the warmth of human connections, inner serenity, and kinship with all of life. It poignantly illustrates that to be stripped of everything that is familiar and by which we identify ourselves leaves us with only what unites us – our human identity. It conveys truths about relationships at every level – with ourselves, with others, with our country, and with our God. Without inflaming the wounds inflicted by America’s involvement in Vietnam, Beyond Survival explores an issue at the heart of every free society: the willingness of ordinary individuals to maintain a passion for freedom so compelling that adversity strengthens rather than weakens personal resolve in the worst of circumstances. Through Gerald Coffee’s story you will discover the universal principles of survival and triumph that empower anyone to overcome adversity.

Seven Years as a POW

Sharing insights derived from his seven years as a POW in North Vietnam and his unique experiences since his release, he plants the seed of hope that we can go beyond mere survival and emerge from our adversities tougher and more capable of mastering change, achieving success, and finding greater meaning in life.

Captian Gerald Coffee is an inspiring example of the power of the human spirit to survive and triumph over the most adverse circumstances.  He tells a story of human survival, focusing on the hero inside all of us and showing how each of us can overcome the obstacles to our success.

In February of 1966, while flying combat missions over North Vietnam, Gerald Coffee’s reconnaissance jet was downed by enemy fire. He parachuted safely but was captured immediately. For the next seven years he was held as a POW in the Communist prisons of North Vietnam. After his repatriation in February, 1973, Jerry returned to operation duties. He retired from active duty in the Navy after 28 years of service.

His military decorations include the Silver Star, two awards of the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars, the Air Medal, two Purple Hearts, and the Vietnam Service Medal with 13 stars.

The Message of going Beyond Survival

In his message of going Beyond Survival, Jerry draws not only from insights derived from the prison experience, but also from the perspective of his experiences since  then: earning a Masters Degree in political science from Cal-Berkeley, studying at the prestigious National Defense University in Washington, D.C., Navy command and staff assignments, authoring books, writing a weekly political column, and his continuing interaction with hundreds of America’s corporations and associations, military units, civic groups and schools as a professional speaker.

From Capture to Ultimate Release

Beyond Survival, Captain Coffee gives a moving account of his incredible experience from capture to ultimate release. His faith – in himself, others, his country, and his God – was the key to turning an unbelievably difficult, potentially devastating experience into an opportunity for personal growth. Captain Gerald Coffee is an inspiring example of the power of the human spirit to survive and triumph over the most adverse circumstances. His story conveys a positive message that we each have the potential to survive any ordeal, overcome any obstacle, achieve any goal.

(Taken from amazon.com book description of Beyond Survival)

I had listened to an interview with Gerald Coffee and Tony Robbins many years ago. I was mesmerized by Captain Coffee’s story of survival and how he teaches us the Power of the Invincible Spirit. No matter what your challenges are, I highly recommend his book.