Paying It Forward: 300 Can Change History; Will You Join in Making a Difference? #123
Lead, follow, or get out of the way. A few can be the solution that help those unable to progress and overcome challenges they face on their own. Will you make a difference or just whine?
Jack Browne, Wichita Falls Times Record News edition, Sunday July 13, 2025
“300” is a 2006 movie depicting the 480 B.C. Battle of Thermopylae where 300 Spartans, defenders of King Leonidas, along with another 1,100 or so allies held back Persian King Xerxes and his army of about 170,000.
In Wichita Falls, less than 300 people serve on various city boards to help govern and direct the many ways the community is supported.
July 1st, the Mayor and City Council members received a briefing on behalf of Citizens Addressing Homelessness from Dr. Louis J Wilson, a local physician, and Faith Mission CEO Steve Sparks about the Wichita Falls homeless population, numbering 317 men, women and children as of a January 2024 count.
Citizens Addressing Homelessness is a spontaneous movement of regular citizens, city leaders, elected officials, service providers, churches, and businesses uniting to tackle the pressing challenge of homelessness head-on.
For me, the match in 300 problem solvers and those 300 needing help is typical of many issues and needs. An inspired and dedicated few can contribute the solutions that help those unable to progress and overcome challenges they face on their own. However, most of us don’t see either group of 300 — as we are so self-absorbed in our lives.
In 480 B.C. Xerxes waited for 10 days for King Leonidas to surrender or withdraw.
Xerxes army was so large, that maintaining adequate supplies required moving across the countryside to forage supplies. To remain in one place too long risked loss of adequate food and water sources.
As Leonidas and his 300 Spartans and Greek allies continued to block the pass, Xerxes had his forces attack and kill all the Greek defenders.
Inspired by the defeat, Greece preserved against Xerxes army in subsequent battles. The Battle of Thermopylae is an example of an army defending native soil with Greek defenders using training, equipment and terrain as force multipliers
As I review the council meeting, I’m always aware of the many who complain and cajole about the decisions, yet just a few take the time to serve while even fewer attend a meeting or watch the recordings of the meetings, posted by the city on Facebook and YouTube.
In the words of President Theodore Roosevelt, "Complaining about a problem without posing a solution is called whining."
Others more succinctly say, “Lead, follow, or get out of the way.”
Life is short, will you make a difference or just whine?
After celebrating July 4th, let’s find the will to improve the lives of those who have so little and suffer so much, else what did we celebrate as America’s Independence Day?
Citizens Against Homelessness needs the backing of our community as the “force multiplier” of engagement beyond those few currently working to address chronic homelessness.
For reference, the July 1st presentation to the Wichita Falls City Council is available at https://www.wichitafallstx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/46707/CAH-Presentation-to-City-CouncilUpdate6302025.
The written plan, A City at Home, is available at https://www.wichitafallstx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/46708/CAH_Final-Report.
Jack Browne is a community activist and former technology engineer, sales and marketing executive at Motorola and other top tech companies.