When I was in my twenties, I was frequenting
Veteran’s hospitals. My ex-husband had been injured in the Army, and had to go
from one facility to another for treatment and to receive a correct diagnosis. In
that time, I came to truly understand the life of a veteran.
I saw men and women of all ages: some my age, some much
older, and many, of all ages, being pushed in wheelchairs.
It was upon a visit to our hospital in Durham that I truly
became aware of what a veteran goes through.
They are never really “out” of the military. It is in their
blood, it is a brotherhood, a sisterhood, they are related, they are sisters
and brothers, united by an oath to protect and serve and they do so long after
they leave their branch of service.
I talked with so many men and women who had seen battle, who
had lost friends in arms, and who had given their body, heart and mind to our
great nation, in order to keep us safe and secure at home.
It was that one certain visit that I saw something that has
stuck with me all these years.
My ex-husband was being kept over night for a sleep study. They
had given him a small corner to rest in with about five other people. Some were
alert, some were asleep, and some apparently were going through some severe
pain, because there was a gentleman across from us that screamed constantly. I
had to go in and out many times, and as I did a sound came to my attention. I
didn’t think about it at first, but every time I passed this elderly man’s area
I would hear him trying to say something.
He was alone, so he wasn’t trying to communicate with
someone there with him.
I listened closer each time, and as I neared the door, I
heard him call a woman’s name.
He said it over and over, always with such a haunting cry.
I finally peered in, and with tears in his eyes, he still
called out for her, whoever she was.
Finally, as I entered, I couldn’t resist just stopping by
and smiling at him. I didn’t know what it would do, but the sound of his cry
and his call touched my soul and I had to follow that instinct.
I stepped inside very carefully, and as he saw me enter, his
eyes began to rain. He could barely see from the flood that now was pouring
from his weathered eyes.
Before I could ask him if he needed anything, I saw his hand
gently rise from his side. He took my hand, and with such emotion, he said, “You
came”.
His smile has been stuck in my gut for many years. His voice
has resonated through my heart, his touch has lingered within me, and the image
of him has become a permanent picture in my mind.
I have thought of him so often. I have wondered what
happened to him, and I have often thought about what those weathered hands and
eyes had seen and been through.
But his voice- what did he long for? Who was she; this woman
he called out for? Was it a daughter, a lost love, a wife that had passed? I
don’t know, and never will, but I know he needed her, and when he said those
words to me, I was changed for life.
He was a veteran, he served us, and he protected us from the
wrongs and evil of those who have tried time and again to take down our
country. He had seen many lonely nights, lost many friends, and I am sure he
had stared fear down in the face and kept going in order to fulfill his duty,
to you and me.
He had lost someone: someone he cried out for, someone he
needed; and his weakened state, he still cried for her.
He gave all he had for us, and for our country. Now, he lay
there, too old for battle, too sick to rise, and defend, but obviously he had sacrificed
his peace of mind for us as well.
I think sometimes we often forget that our men and women in
our military give all. They give their bodies, minds, spirits and also their
hearts to the land we live in and are so fortunate to be a part of.
Our soldiers may come home, they may blend in with us in
society but as you can see, they are still sacrificing, still serving, they are
soldiers until they die.
This elderly man, he gave it all he had, he obviously had
lost someone very dear, and he did that for our country. As he lay there alone,
he was still a man, and even in his condition, he was a proud member of our
armed forces. He gave all. The heart of a soldier perseveres.
I want to thank every Veteran, active military member, and
our reserves. Not only do you put your body on the line, you put your heart on
the line as well. I also would like to thank my ex-husband, for his time in the
service, his time in Special Forces and the honor he has passed on to our
children and the love of country he has bestowed upon them.
On this Veteran’s Day, let us remember and give sincere
thanks to those who gave all and continue to serve us no matter their place in
life.
Here are thoughts.
Teresa
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