Join Derrick and Friends TONIGHT for "Essayons!" with Warriors for Life (WFL)

Col (Ret) Mikel Burroughs
Nov 19, 2025
3 min read

Join our Volunteer, Army Veteran & Peer Support Specialist/Supervisor Derrick Iozzio TONIGHT for "Forever Forward!" edition of Warriors for Life (WFL) Online, sponsored and presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV).

We are asking everyone to share who we are and what support that Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) is providing via WFL. If you know someone who is a veteran, first responder or a family member/caregiver, please ask them to join us for at least one meeting so they can learn more about what we do and how they can share their wisdom with others who may be able to learn from them.

TONIGHT's Topic: "Essayons!"

Join Derrick and friends TONIGHT for a discussion about "Essayons!" A discussion on mental health and overcoming issues.

"Essayons" is a French word meaning "Let us try," and it is the official motto of the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The motto signifies a can-do attitude of taking on and succeeding in tough challenges, and it is used by the Corps in many contexts, from military operations to engineering projects and awards. It has also been used as the name for several U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ships, including hopper dredges and tugboats.

Motto of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:
"Essayons" embodies the Corps' dedication to providing engineering solutions to the nation's most challenging problems. It suggests confidence that "where others failed, we will succeed".
Meaning:
The motto is a French phrase that translates to "Let us try". For the Army Corps, the "try" is not just a half-hearted effort but an action-oriented commitment to bringing all resources to bear on a challenge.

The phrase "Let us try" relates to mental health as an encouragement to take proactive steps toward well-being, seek support, reduce stigma, and embrace self-compassion and new strategies for living a fulfilled life. It emphasizes effort and an open mindset rather than a guaranteed "cure".

Key ways "Let us try" connects to mental health:

Promoting Action: The phrase encourages individuals to initiate actions like practicing gratitude, engaging in physical activity, connecting with others, and seeking professional help, all of which are recognized methods for improving mental well-being.
Combating Stigma: In the context of mental illness awareness, the phrase has been used as a call to action to "try our best to remove the stigmas around mental illness" by fostering understanding and empathy for what others might be experiencing.
Encouraging Self-Compassion: It is used to suggest trying "another path" outside of stoicism or self-blame, pointing toward self-compassion and mindfulness as beneficial approaches to managing life's difficulties.
Fostering Community and Support: The phrase is used to urge people to "be close to those who are exhausted, to those who are desperate, without hope," emphasizing the importance of listening and community support in mental health struggles.
Seeking Different Perspectives: It implies an openness to exploring alternative or new approaches to mental health care, such as discussing prevention, early detection, or new models of therapy.
Focus on Process over Perfection: "Let us try" acknowledges that improvement is a process involving effort, not an immediate fix. As one source notes, it's about trying some practical guidelines to see a difference in life, rather than being able to follow every single principle perfectly.

In essence, "Let us try" is a call for an active, compassionate, and persistent approach to mental health, both for oneself and for others in the community.

Warriors for Life (WFL) Online "Forever Forward!" edition presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) — Thursday (TONIGHT), November 20, 2025, @ 4:30 PM PT, 5:30 PM MT, 6:30 PM CT, & 7:30 PM ET

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81682532691

Thank you,

Derrick Iozzio,

Army Veteran, Peer Support Specialist/Supervisor, Catch 22 Peer Support Founder, & Volunteer Facilitator, Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV)