Guardian Wear – How One Man’s Dream is Helping Amercian Heroes

Yesterday I got a wonderful surprise.  I was attending the monthly ICREW (Industrial/Commercial Real Estate Women) meeting and I was seated at a table with Duane Grade, the owner and founder of Guardian Wear.  He is a former New Jersey law enforcement officer, who felt the pull to help the families of his fellow police officers and other American heroes who were killed in the line of duty.  What began six years ago as a cop selling t-shirts out of his trunk to raise money for officers killed in 9/11, has now become a full time mission and a brand.

Guardian Wear, American Hero Apparel is a line of clothing aimed at law enforcement, fire, EMT and military personnel and for each shirt they sell, one dollar goes into the American Hero Foundation fund.  This money is then distributed to the families of those who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.  Although Duane started this on his own out of the trunk of his car, today it has grown and he has a board of four heroes who help him find the candidates for donation.

What impressed me so much, when speaking to Duane was his genuine desire to help these families.  He felt this calling so strongly in his heart that, even after working fifteen hours on an operation, he would go home and work on Guardian Wear.  Logic said that without retail distribution, a staff and a huge influx of capital, this company would not get off the ground.  Duane didn't want to hear about logic.  He had a dream and a burning desire, and he just found a way to make it happen.

Last year he finally took the scary step of leaving his job, and making Guardian Wear his full time occupation.  He says he has never been happier in his life.  You could just see the joy and the excitement as he speaks about the growth of the company, and tells the stories of the families who have received checks.  Duane has twice been approached by large companies to sell Guardian Wear, but even though they offered him more money than he could ever have dreamed of, he said no.  This isn't about getting rich for Duane, it is about recognizing those who choose an occupation and a lifestyle that puts them in harm's way to protect others.

What are your dreams about?  Do you believe that your dream isn't valid because it won't make you rich or famous?  Are you reading this and thinking that your dreams are selfish because they wouldn't help people like Duane's does?  Would you feel better if you could figure out a way to live your dream, and help others while doing it?  What are you thinking right now, right this second.  Grab that thought.  Look at it.  Really examine it.  What are you telling yourself about your dreams?

Everyone has dreams and not all dreams lead to riches, fame or philanthropy.  Yet every dream is equally valid and beautiful.  If you are not pursuing a dream or dreams,  please take a moment to give yourself an honest answer as to why you are holding back.

For a very long time I believed that my dream of becoming a motivational author and speaker was pretty far-fetched.  I kept putting it aside for other pursuits that seemed more realistic or responsible.  Yet every time I saw someone speak or read a motivational book I felt a twinge.  That pull inside of me that said, "Melissa, you should be doing this!"

Do you get that pull?  What are you doing when you feel that special spark?  How can you begin to pursue that dream?  What small thing can you do right now, today, to begin pursuing your dream?  Can you write it down?  Can you carve out some time to allow yourself to visualize it fully for a few minutes?  Can you create an intention lesson to focus your mind on your dream?

Real heroes are the people who don't give up.  They are the people who follow their hearts and lead the way for others.  Real heroes are men like Duane Grade, who are willing to put it all on the line, either to help others or to follow their dreams.  You can be a real hero, I know you can.  We all can if we have the courage and the strength to give it everything we've got and then some!

Your first step is to share your dream right here with all of us.  Leave a comment telling us about your dream.  Tell us why you hold back from pursuing your dream and together we can help you find the strength to go for it!

I will be forever grateful that I got to meet Duane Grade yesterday. It was truly inspiring to me to be with someone who was walking the walk and I am grateful to God and the Universe for putting him in my path and reminding me of the power of a dream.

How to Support Guardian Wear

If you want to be a hero for a family who lost theirs, take a look at the Guardian Wear store.  Might be a good place to buy some holiday gifts, especially for people you know who are police, firefighters, EMT or military personnel.

I know that I will be forever grateful that I got to meet Duane Grade yesterday. It was truly inspiring to me to be with someone who was walking the walk and I am grateful to God and the Universe for putting him in my path.

Duane Grade can be reached at dgrade@guardianwear.com or by phone at 908-319-5392.