Among Heroes

We had no clue what to expect when we went to the VA appointment yesterday. We had received a letter Saturday saying that we had an appointment on Tuesday. We had no knowledge of it prior to that letter. So we did not know what it was about, if it would take an hour or all day, what types of tests they were doing, etc. It turned out to be the first in a series of appointments. This one was with a psychologist, and we have primary care physician, social worker, TBI institute and pain management all coming up. Our visit went well, and we both felt good about me being there with him to explain some things that he cannot explain very well about himself.

We had plans to go to the Arkansas State Police Honors and Awards Luncheon at 11:30am with my parents, but we did not know if we would make it out of our appointment in time. We were so glad when we did, but we also realized that Tim did not have the appropriate clothes. Since it would take too long to drive all the way back to our house to change, we stopped at a store to buy him some. I was so glad we did. He looked SO GOOD in that outfit, and he was very proud wearing it. He felt confident and held his head high. It means so much when I get to see him exude that type of confidence.

The luncheon was good, and we got to visit with a few of the guys that Tim had flown in the eradication program. It was nice to see some people we hadn't seen in a long time, and it was warming to feel the pride in the voice of everyone who spoke, from the ASP Colonel to the Commissioners to the State Governor. What got to me the most, though, was hearing the acts of heroism performed by some of the men that received awards, and then knowing that we were in a room full of others who would perform the same act if put in that situation. Arkansas Game and Fish Officer Michael Neal was the main one in attendance that Tim and I could not quit discussing later. When two West Memphis police officers were shot and killed by a father and son duo in 2010, Neal was the one to bravely ram his truck into the vehicle of the suspects. At the time of him doing so, the suspects were shooting from their vehicle toward a police unit, where they struck and injured the two men inside. Neal shot and killed the father, while taking numerous bullets to his truck. He shot at the son, and it is my understanding that he struck him as well. Neal was the reason the suspects did not kill any more people than they did. He is a TRUE hero on the homefront.

Because Neal was raised in the funeral business (and funeral directors around Arkansas tend to work together and know each other well), my dad and brother were already familiar with him. Tim and I walked over as they were congratulating him, and we spoke to him for a few minutes. We were amazed by his humility. The award he received yesterday was his 33rd for the incident, and he is scheduled to receive another this Saturday. Yet, despite all the attention, he speaks as someone who just did his job. He does not boast about himself, he does not tell you what he did without being asked, and he does not pat himself on the back. He gives equal credit to the many other men and women in his line of work, claiming they would do the same thing in the same situation.

Officer Neal, I know many would. I know we have some true heroes living among us. But you acted in a way (and continue to act in a way) that epitomizes the word "hero." Thank you to you, and thank you to all the men and women who put their lives on the line daily to ensure our safety.

Wounded Warriors ~ Heroes

Watching your husband deal with daily pain and setbacks can be one of the most difficult things a wife must experience. Our "Wounded Warriors" are tough men. They are men who served our country and paid a price, whether stateside or on an overseas deployment. They are men who previously could do anything, who were athletic and tough fighters, and who were accustomed to excelling in every task they performed. Now, because of their injuries, they struggle with otherwise simple daily tasks. Because they were selflessly serving our country and doing their part to make our lives better, many of them now endure pain that is beyond our comprehension, both physically and mentally. These men and women are heroes. They are incredible people who deserve praise. This blog is my story of living with my hero. I thank God every single day ~ in fact, many times a day ~ for my incredible husband who I view as my hero. And I thank God for every Wounded Warrior, their heroism, the sacrifice they made and the sacrifices they continue to make on a daily basis.