Saturday, December 31, 2011

The Real Heroes

We arrived at the AT&T Center a full two hours before the game, knowing we would be waiting in line for an hour before they opened the doors. The newly inaugurated NBA season, compacted by the disagreements between the owners and the players, was finally underway and people were antsy and anxious to see this team play.

Other lines formed near ours by each of the entrance doors. The close proximity necessitated by the sheer numbers of people made overhearing other folks' conversations unavoidable.

"My eggs are getting old. Why are you still so afraid? We need to get pregnant before my time runs out!" one woman scolded a man by her side.

"Didn't I tell you to go before we left the house?" asked a frustrated man as he and a dancing, anxious little boy with a crew cut abdicated their place near the front of the line and headed in search of a restroom.

Two men wearing Spurs jackets, caps, and jerseys compared notes on their hunting leases. An older man wearing a Korea veteran's cap laughed with his two grandsons as the boys talked about wanting to get certain star players' autographs.

 A loud voice rose up from somewhere behind us. "Girrrllll- you can't believe how little that thang..." a young woman launched into an x-rated story to a trio of giggling twenty somethings. They were out of our sight although their sound carried far beyond. Someone cleared their throat loudly near them and they lowered their voices.

A group of sharply barbered men speaking an unfamiliar language conversed animatedly, replete with large hand gestures.

My husband pulled me closer as the sun faded and the night chilled the air. The crowd was getting restless and some questioned why they weren't opening the doors yet.

A rustling and a sudden quieting of the chatter from behind us made us turn to look. The man in the Korea veteran's cap snapped to attention and saluted a group nearing the front.

Three soldiers in wheelchairs led the group, one moving slower than the others as he worked to keep his chair steered correctly. One of his legs stretched down so his foot rode on the foot rest. The other leg ended in a stump above where the knee should have been. Several more soldiers were on crutches or walkers, heads held high although their gaits were altered. One using a walker had only one hand to manipulate it with as his opposite arm ended above the wrist. Another had burn scars on his face visible under his hat. Helpers walked near them, but each was entering the arena under his own power.

The lines parted to let these warriors through to the front doors. A smattering of claps that followed them through the line formed into a loud wave of applause as the doors opened to let them in. They looked a little sheepish as the applause continued and grew. They finally turned to look back, then smiled and waved to the crowd.

The Korea veteran behind us held his salute until they disappeared from sight and into the arena.

"Grandpa, I want their autographs, those soldiers!" the younger boy said. His grandpa turned away and brushed his thumbs under his eyes.

He faced his grandsons again and replied in a husky voice, "When you're looking for real heroes, that's who you need to look to." He ruffled the boy's hair as the doors opened and we all made our way into the arena.

25 comments:

  1. They are true heroes, Shelly. It is wonderful how the country is supportive of the troops even if they don't agree with the war in Iraq. I appreciate that they are always ready to defend us and give so much of themselves.

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  2. It sure touches me deeply when I read stories like this Shelly. That Korean veteran knew the worth of those guy just like I do having been in Viet Nam for 19 months. Great post. Happy New Year to you and your whole family from our.

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  3. Belle: I am so glad these returning, wounded vets are getting the support they need. It really hurts me when I read about how the Vietnam vets were treated when they returned home. There are lots of brave men and women in the military.

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  4. Odie: As I mentioned to Belle, it makes me feel terrible for the treatment of the Vietnam vets when they came home. I hope you didn't encounter that when you returned. Our country is a much richer and safer place because of people like you who served. Thank you!

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  5. There are so very many things right with the world, aren't there?

    Happy New Year, my friend.

    Pearl

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  6. Pearl: So true, so very true. Happy New Year to you!

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  7. Welcome back to blogging, Shelly! Sorry I'm so late coming by. I went to bed exhausted last night and was on the road all morning and just now getting on the computer for the day.

    In the coming year on my blog I'll be posting "Nineteen," the recording made by Paul Hardcastle in the mid 80s. The title refers to the average age of the Vietnam soldier and the song illuminates the plight of returning vets. As the lyrics remind us "they never received a hero's welcome." I hope there are many more fathers these days like the one in your story who are teaching their sons the difference between multi-millionaire athletes and the real heroes, the all sacrificing men and women in our military.

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  8. Shady: Hello, good friend! I know you are having full days with your family visiting, so I appreciate you stopping by.

    I did not know 19 was the average age- my goodness. As a parent of a teen, that really hits close to home. It was a travesty how those men and women were treated when they came home. I do hope we've learned our lesson as a nation. They deserve that.

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  9. That's so true, Shelly! I'm so glad more people are seeing that with this current group of combat veterans. When my brother returned from combat in Vietnam, some people actually spat at him and called him terrible names, something that hurt deeply after the trauma of battle. I loved your account of a grandfather indicating real heroism (vs. too-often-worshipped, pampered millionaire athletes) to his grandson -- and also the slice of life comments heard during your wait! It's always such a pleasure -- and a learning experience -- to read your posts! Happy New Year!

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  10. Dr. Kathy: I feel so badly that your brother and other veterans like him had to come home to such abuse after going through what they'd already been through. We owe them a collective debt- we truly do.

    I was thrilled those boys were getting a lesson about what true heroism is. All kids nowdays really need it.

    Hope your New Year is wonderful!

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  11. Yes our soldiers are real heros and it is sad that many young people do not realise that and think sports players are instead...........

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  12. Jo-Anne: Sports players are probably the last group we should look to for heroes. You're right- those who lay their lives on the line are the real deal.

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  13. Hi, Dearest Shelly.
    Welcome back and happy new year from Japan,
    my friend.

    These boys sure had a wonderful lesson about real hero from their grandfather!!!
    My father must have had a scar in his mind from world-warⅡ. He never talk about it. I only know that his age was the last to get drafted. Maybe, he was just a young teenager. I hope that there won't be no more these veterans needed.
    Love and Lots of Hugs to you, xoxo Orchid*

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  14. Orchid: I hate war. I fully agree with you- hopefully we won't have to have anymore veterans of any more wars. I wish peace and prosperity to you, dear friend, and all the good things 2012 will bring. I loved my ecard- thank you!

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  15. Wow! That story brought a tear to my eyes.
    Thanks.

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  16. Oh, Shelly - how true indeed - they are the real heroes.

    Happy New Year to you - Marsha

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  17. Life 101: It's good to know we still have men and women in this country who make those kind of sacrfices. That kind of courage always moves me.

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  18. Marsha: I so hope the kids of today will learn what real heroism is. Happiest of New Years to you!

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  19. In my solitude I forget what it's like to be out in a crowd. Thank you for bringing that experience to life through your writing. I was there through your words. I'm humbled by the thought of those men who have given so much and yet continue on when it must be so hard. Hard to live life differently, as a changed person on the inside and out. I'm so glad they received a hero's welcome and that you were able to be a part of that significant moment.

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  20. Jenny: As much as I hate war, I will always be moved by the heart and bravery of our soldiers. To be so young and have your life so radically altered is a major thing, but they all seemed to be taking things in stride. Happy 2012, my friend!

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  21. This brought tears to my eyes. I know my Ray still suffers from the Vietnam War. He has scar's on his arm and chest but mostly inside himself also, that don't show. Yes they are the hero's.

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  22. Crystal Mary: Bless your Ray. I, for one, am so very thankful for his sacrifice and the sacrifice of those like him. True heroes, for sure.

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  23. Those are the heroes that made our country what it is today, and continue to do so.

    Great post as usual Shelly!

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  24. I think I'm caught up...you can post more, I'll just print them up and read when I can!! haha!

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  25. Jamie Jo: We need look no further than our brave military people when we look for heroes! Bless your heart for reading all these back posts- you are a sweetheart!

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