Today I helped a hero but he would not call himself so and would argue with me if he knew I said it. It reminds me of a quote:
One day my grandson said to me, grandpa were you a hero in the war? And I said to him no I'm not a hero, but I have served in a company full of them. Dick Winters - Major (2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division)
That was a man who jumped out of an aircraft over Normandy in the Second World War together with his men. Not a hero. It's laughable of course but typical; That type of humility was common, and still is, across militaries of the world. They do what they do for their brothers.
Today I spent time with a mate who served this country and lost both legs doing so when the American Marine beside him stepped on an IED.
After the ensuing firefight he was air-lifted by Medevac to a field hospital then Germany and after several surgeries he spent months recovering and many more months learning to walk with prosthetic limbs. Does getting his legs blown off make him a hero in my eyes? No. Being there in the first place does. Volunteering to do what so many won't makes him a hero.
He'd tell me to shut the fuck up though, that the real hero's were the blokes, his brothers, who engaged in that firefight to cover his Medevac and the doctors and nurses who saved his life. I get it.
Today I proudly served a bloke who proudly served his country...A country that have left him largely uncared for and unsupported since this return from war.
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I've been helping veterans for many years, some with PTSD, others with physical disabilities and yet others...Well I help the families they left behind. I do various things depending on the need but today was heavy lifting mainly.
I moved a stack of boxes, furniture, some gym equipment and did some reorganisation with a view to create a more wheelchair-friendly environment for my buddy. He needs another operation on one of his legs due to necrosis and will be unable to walk at all for months. He is often wheelchair bound now, but when at home can move about on his prosthetics a little.
I also mowed and edged his lawn and tidied up his yard some.
I was there for most of the day, had lunch with my mate, and we told many lies. I even drank two beers which for me, when working, is rare. He seemed to want to talk and so I listened.
I'm not going to to go into the discussions we had as it's far too private to him and me, but I will say that if you ever get the chance to spend time with someone who has had such adversity, and dramatic change occur in life, you should jump at it. It is truly amazing to gain the perspective of a person like this. Of course, not all are success stories or positive, but there are many lessons one can learn.
That's an image of me brandishing my garden blower; Two legs, two arms, although one looks cut off because I'm holding my phone to take the image.
To my left, out of shot, was my mate, sitting in his wheelchair with his two stumps, cut off at the knee, juttiing out. He was calling me a wanker for taking selfies. But I know what me being there meant to him and how valued I and others are, to him when we heed the call of duty. He hates asking, preferring independence, but I love serving this chap and others like him.
I can stand, walk, use both arms and hands and don't have the emotional issues some of these men have. The adversity I've faced in life has affected me differently...But to serve these men is an honour and a privilege; I just wish the government saw it that way and did more for the people they send to war.
Thanks for reading. Have a nice Sunday. Tell someone they matter.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised.
Be well
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