Alliance Public Schools Wall of Fame Member Col. Josh McConkey, MD, recently announced his bid to serve the people of North Carolina’s 13th District in the United States Congress, using his time in Alliance as a guiding light in leadership.
McConkey, who wrote a book that will be released this summer called “Be the Weight Behind the Spear,” explained that his teachers, coaches and community leaders in Alliance inspired him to take action to make a meaningful change in direction of the United States.
“Last year, I gave a speech at the Wall of Fame ceremony they had there, which was very touching; it was very cool to see some of my old teachers and coaches and other wrestlers,” said McConkey. “I think Alliance really embodies that leadership ethos that I have. When you talk about being the weight behind the spear, what makes America the really special place that it is, is its people. So, coaches, teachers, families: it’s all of the people behind our heroes and the people who do amazing things.
“I’ve been super blessed to work with some of the Special Forces Operators, some on the Air Force side, some on the Army side; these are the kind of guys that put their life on the line to be Green Berets and Air Force Special Forces with terror rescue, and combat control,” McConkey said. “What Americans need to focus on doing, and really, it’s the whole premise behind that book, is, they need to focus on developing the next generation of leaders. Doing something in your community to reach out, be a teacher, volunteer to coach, mentor some children.”
The United States, McConkey believes, is divided, which is exacerbated by labels. He explained that to heal the nation, it will take dedication and involvement.
“Everyone wants to just give the younger generation some catchy labels and just tell them how lazy they are, but that’s not going to solve the problem,” said McConkey. “Whose responsibility is this? It’s ours: it’s you, it’s me, it’s teachers. I think that small towns in rural America do a wonderful job at embodying that mentorship. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and it’s entirely true. I can think of so many teachers, coaches and parents, boy scouts, cub scouts, just those little moments in my life where I had those snapshots. Alliance has everything to do with who I am.”
McConkey explained that one of the issues that he sees in North Carolina as well as rural communities like Alliance, is the importance of providing the next generation with a quality education, and the need to retain teachers in rural communities. Another key focus, McConkey explained is providing access to health care.
“The rural communities in North Carolina are very similar,” McConkey said. “It’s the basics: it’s access to quality, affordable healthcare. Nebraska has so many of these critical access hospitals, Box Butte General being one of them I personally worked at off and on for over 15 years now. The same challenges are here in North Carolina with that access to care.
“Education, the public school system,” said McConkey. “North Carolina is in, I think, the lowest third in pay rates for teachers for the public schools. Nebraska is lower on some of those tables as well. Really putting that focus, when you look at state budgets, on the teachers and paying them what they’re worth. They work extremely hard. It’s a difficult job. It’s hard to get young minds, some of the best and the brightest, to come back to these rural areas to teach because the pay is just so low.”
In overcoming obstacles, McConkey draws inspiration from many military leaders who have faced adversity, but have persevered. He noted that hearing their stories inspired him to lead from the front.
McConkey said that his family is supportive of his decision to run for Congress, explaining that he has three young children and that he and his wife have had to make adjustments to their schedules.
“You have to make time for things that matter,” McConkey said. “I’m concerned enough about where I’m seeing the country heading right now, as a military commander. With the security briefings that I get every month, when you see what’s coming down the line and the threats that we face from China alone, it’s extremely concerning, and it bothers me enough that I feel I personally have to get involved and right this ship, because the direction that it is heading is very scary, and I’ve got three children. I’m not the kind of person who just sits there, and whines and complains. I’m just concerned with health care, with border security, with the cuts to the military budget with the impending threats that are coming from the Pacific alone, it’s very concerning, and I can’t just watch it fail. I won’t let it fail.”
McConkey explained that change can occur at the community level if people just take ownership of the issues that they are faced with.
“This is your community, this is your country,” said McConkey. “You can get involved and make a difference. Just trying to get people motivated and to realize that they do matter. Everything you do, even if you are working inside the house, and your job is raising awesome little Americans, just putting that meal together every single night matters. When those children gather around that table, you are showing them they are important enough for you to spend that time to sit down and talk about their day. There’s something very comforting about that just with the American family. Those are important jobs, and people cannot discount that. That directly impacts every single kid, every individual, and gives them the confidence to do amazing things. They’re going to be our next heroes; they’re going to be our next leaders. They’re going to carry America’s torch forward, and everything matters every single day.”