TOP CHARACTER STRENGTHS

BRAVERY - HUMOR - FORGIVENESS

VJ was quite the character from birth. He loved playing outdoors and spending time with all of his friends in the neighborhood. He was popular. Once you met him you could never forget him. He was such a presence and a light. The room literally lit up when he entered. We had a boat and that contributed to his love of fishing, swimming, snorkeling and all activities in the water. It was only fitting that he joined the Navy three years after graduating from high school, following in the footsteps of his father (retired Navy).

VJ was in a car crash while driving home late one night after being with friends. His son, Kai, was not quite two at the time we lost his daddy. He is 10 now and a carbon copy of VJ: smart, funny, kind hearted. We keep VJ’s memory alive for him through photos, videos and military events.

Virgilio Milay, Jr. loved serving his country. He was the most patriotic man I have ever known.

Character Strength Story:
Forgiveness - A boy was bullying VJ and a few others regularly in middle school. One day VJ saw that the others had had enough. They knocked the boy to the ground and commenced throwing dirt on him. VJ shouted for them to stop, then held out his hand to assist the bully up from the ground. I asked him what made him do that. He stated that just because he did unacceptable acts to others did not make it fair to do that to him. They became friends after that and the boy changed his behavior after VJ’s example.

Humor - I am a nurse and when I would get home after a grueling 12 hour shift, he would have dinner ready for me and provide comic relief. That boy could crack me up! His friends still talk about how much they miss his craziness. So do I!

-Submitted by Debra, Surviving Mother