Two Years Ago

I wasn't really aware of how long it has been since I posted something here until I got on to post something about that night two years ago in Hawthorne, NV. Guess I need to pay more attention when I am actually in port and not on a government computer and able to post.

Anyway, today was a special day not just because it is a day in which all of the Deadwalkers from 1/9 remember our seven brothers lost in a mortar explosion. Today, one of the Corpsmen from that night was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his bravery and actions that night. This is the highest award for heroism displayed in peacetime.

On that night, Ian was severely injured by the blast. So much so that he is still recovering from his wounds and has endured multiple surgeries to rebuild his face. Despite his significantly more severe injuries, he repeatedly waved off efforts of others to assist him directing them to his injured Marines. If fact, his airway was blocked and he intubated himself to open the airway, thus saving his own life. I can't even imagine enduring his trauma, much less having the clarity of mind to perform a life saving technique on anyone, including myself.

I didn't get to speak with him that night as he was one of eight Marines and Sailors airlifted to Reno, NV for treatment. However, I was able to speak with him a few days later when he was in between a few surgeries. I walked into his room to check on how he was doing and if there was anything he needed from me or anyone else. Before I could finish saying hello, he had written on a sheet of paper. How are you doing? Corpsman to the core of his being.

The next time I visited two days later, he had an iPad and was rapidly communicating via technology and had been contacted by one of his heroes. Ian, like myself, is from the Triangle and WRAL had done a story on him and alluded to his actions and it came up that he was a huge Duke fan (of course this sat well with his Duke graduate chaplain). Well, Coach K got word of this and personally called Ian's hospital room and spoke with him for a few minutes and promised him the game ball from their upcoming NCAA tournament game and I think also provided him a jersey from that game as well. Small tributes for a outsized man.

I am glad I get to know and work with men and women such as this Devil Doc. He is a Deadwalker to the core.

I got to see photos of him receiving his medal today and am proud of him and his progress towards a full recovery.

BZ Golden Corral

Last night my parents and I went to the annual military appreciation day hosted by Golden Corral. For those not living in the few states where this restaurant has a presence, all military members past and present get a free meal. It is one of those steak houses with a LARGE buffet. What makes it so amazing is that they give the meals out on the honor system. For us mom paid and dad and I took advantage of the free meal.

The place was packed as you might expect and on first glance it looked like they weren't going to make any kind of money with all the veterans running around eating as much as they wanted. However, last year the company cleared millions of dollars of revenue on that day alone. Now why mention this? It shows that if you are generous, you actually can benefit from that. I am sure there are many of people who bend the truth and say they are veterans for the free meal. Personally, I say go for it. If you need a meal that bad and someone is offering a healthy buffet for free take advantage of it. After all isn't that part of what we stood up to serve for? Plus, they know that most people are going to fess up and pay if they need to, especially based on the amount of revenue they get. Another benefit is there are people collecting donations for the DAV and other charities that benefit wounded veterans. I can't imagine how much they collect on this night as I saw many people dropping money in the buckets.

If you are ever in one of those states where there is a Golden Corral I invite you to take part in this dinner next November. They seat you as you come at tables of 6-8 so you get to meet other service members and have a great discussion at the table. I know I will continue to go back when I am in the area and partake in this annual dinner.