One moment shines from the run: I was within the first mile and Toby Keith's 'American Soldier' came on my iPhone and my mind zoomed back to the morning of April 8th when I hugged my girls goodbye. I don't purposely try to get myself upset..my mind just went there. I was thinking about dedicating today's run to them. Anyway, as I start to think back on that morning and our embrace, two Blackhawk helicopters were banking right, right above me...gunners hanging out the sides. Remember, American Soldier is playing. It was one of those moments where emotion was all over the place and one where I could record what my eyes saw...to show you. That song is one I listened to over and over when I drove to work back home but listening to it again while those soldiers are flying right over me...it just makes me flush with patriotism and love for my fellow soldiers and service-members. The rest of the run wasn't nearly that emotional but was tough in the heat.
Here shortly...in about an hour, I am going to step outside my headquarters building where I work at for an awards ceremony. Many Air Force medics are being recognized. One, a young girl who might be 20 years old, tiny as can be and barely 100lbs, will be getting the Purple Heart. I met her briefly last week. She was wearing her Air Force t-shirt, shorts, and blue Crocs. On her left chin were stitches and then little specs of scabs went all the way down to her ankle...full left side. Imagine a shot-gun blast pattern...that's sorta what it was like. A few weeks ago, she was on a convoy and an insurgent fired a RPG (rocket propelled grenade) at her vehicle and it burned through the vehicle's armor. Her injury is shrapnel and she'll have pieces of metal in her for the rest of her life. All in all on the surface, she appeared fine. I have to imagine, though, that this will follow her mentally for some time. The event when it happened inside that vehicle is not one I wish on anyone. Her parents must be so worried about her, too. All I want to do is honor her today, shake her hand, and thank her. I want her first name, too. Prayers need sent up for her as she journeys home.
(Note: this part written at 11pm, local "Oz" time): Wow...I can honestly say that today was the most patriotic day of my life. SO much emotion in so many directions today. I don't think I've ever said I had an "amazing" day in the first 63 days but today was amazing. Let's pick up from above...the awards ceremony. I walked outside and right away, the 1-star general walked in with the command's colonel and the ceremony began. The first up? The young airman who was wounded and was receiving the Purple Heart. Many Americans know about the Purple Heart, whether they know anything or not about the military. They know it means something about being wounded in action or something. Well, this medal is THE oldest. In fact, it all started with George Washington himself, hence the reason his face is on the front of the medal. After pinning it on the young airman, the general addressed us and spoke about the significance of the award and thanked her. Afterwards, I walked over to her, shook her hand, and thanked her for her sacrifice and wished her well as she travels home in a few days.
Soon after that, the mail arrived as did two more care packages. One was from my parents with homemade brownies and homemade beef jerky, "Dad Style" and another care package from a friend who is also a runner and also a doctor where Dorothy works. It was a great package, too, with many different things inside including a whole box of a brand new Kashi cereal I hadn't heard of. I'll just snack on that box...no need for milk! Also inside were some Shot Bloks, a variety of chocolate items, and some other sugary things. Her daughter colored a few pages for me that she created, she even decorated the outside of the Priority Mail box. Thanks so much for BOTH of these care packages. They were both perfect.
A short time later, I headed on down the main road to something called Operation H.O.T., or Honor our Troops. Basically, a chef from Houston, TX gathered up two celebrity chefs, a magician, a hypnotist, some awesome singing talent, and also a U2 tribute band. First, though, they served us a Cajun dinner. Oh my, it was good! The celebrity chefs actually brought the seafood ingredients from Louisiana! The jambalaya was a huge hit plus they had a creamy crawfish dish over rice that was out of this world. After I ate, the festivities began with the National Anthem, sung by a local Army soldier.
For the next several hours, we all enjoyed awesome talent and pre-recorded messages from Presidents Clinton, both Bush's, and President Jimmy Carter, specifically for Operation H.O.T., a really good video of local Houston, TX residents and businesses just saying Thank You. It was really moving. One of the best videos of the night was the one I've inserted below. I can't believe I'd never seen it before considering it has been viewed over 11.7 million times on YouTube. It's called "Home." You'll love it! (the version we saw was this but preceded by a message from the guy and the little girl thanking the troops)
So after the back-to-back flood of patriotic-infused entertainment, they put everyone on a 30min intermission. It was 9:30pm and the only thing left was the U2 tribute band which by all rumors, was REALLY good. But, it was late and given I still had a bus ride to my room AND I had to blog (wink wink), I headed on back. Plus, once 10pm hits, shuttle service gets really unreliable.
I do hope to post a few more videos from today but have to get them uploaded. If I can, I will post tomorrow. There are a few musical numbers that are just unbelievable. I just hope they came out well on my iPhone in the dark tent.
Tomorrow, it's back to the typical Groundhog Day grind. One great thing about tomorrow is that I'll be flying my friend's father's American Flag outside our headquarters. He handed me his flag before I left Kansas and I've brought it all the way to Oz for this very reason. I expect it will be a short but ceremonious and honorable thing for him in memory of his father, John. His dad always wanted to serve in a conflict but was unable to. He did serve in the military briefly, though...hence the reason he was presented a flag when his father passed away.
So there you have it...a truly emotional day. I really "felt" America today. The folks putting on that Operation H.O.T. tour have patriotism and love of country flowing through their veins. I could feel it and see it. Plus, witnessing the awarding of a Purple Heart is something I will never forget. This is certainly one of those days I will want to reflect back on when I'm down...to remind myself of why I'm here and the support I have back home...and the brothers and sisters who surround me and are in the same boat as I am. This is so much bigger than me or any of us. One thing that one of the singers said tonight was this...I think it's fitting to try and quote him as I say "Goodnight, everyone."
"When my daughter was born, I held her in my arms and prayed for her...and told her I'd always protect her. Every year on her birthday, I swore the same love for her and protection over her. I'd do anything for her and would lay my life down for her. You have never met my daughter...but you have volunteered to lay down your life for her. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are loved...and you are our heroes. Thank you."
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