A True Hero

Prayse got to meet him. She had met him before but was so young everytime, she had lunch with him before and fell in love as he willingly played the “I’ll drop it. You pick it up” game. But this year, it was the 4th of July. The one time where we stop and remember what those who have done for our country have sacrificed. It was vital to me for some reason that even in a 2 year old way, I try to help her make the connection.

“Prayse, come here baby. You have to meet Mama’s friend. Prayse this is Mr. Jon. It’s very important that you two meet. Mr. Jon is a hero! Did you know that? A true hero!”

With tears in his eyes, and a “thank you” we both got bear hugs and kisses on our cheeks as P wriggled and giggled because his beard was ticklish.

It wasn’t enough. It now has to be, because there are no other opportunities. But the scene keeps replaying in my mind, it just wasn’t enough. There should have been more time.

She’ll learn about the Cold War, she’ll learn about the SEALS in school – but she won’t learn about the man and his team who were working under the cover of darkness to help secure the freedom we have. I will certainly make sure she knows and we remember the bits and pieces I know – and that is very little compared to what he really did.

A man who defied the odds time and again through the path he chose, medically – medically his doctors called him “a miracle of science.” Medically they brought him back from the brink again and again – enough to allow him to make the 5,000 mile motorcycle trip from Florida to Nebraska and back – twice.

The Russians, the Iranians, the heart attacks – nothing could bring him down. But a careless driver who was talking on his cell phone and not paying attention – he could bring him down. And he did. He only needed to make it across the intersection, turn into the office building where he was meeting a friend, just two more seconds and this would not have been a news story.

Two seconds and a cell phone – and the world shifted. I can’t speak for anyone else, yesterday shock replaced every other feelings. But today – today knowing the driver isn’t cooperating, today anger is starting to creep in. He took a father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend away from us.

I miss you Jon.