Real Hero

"It is time, now, to tell the stories from the point of view of those who served faithfully, and those who waited faithfully for them to come home"...Jaye Lewis

From Heart Touchers

Real Hero

I only noticed him out of the corner of my eye. I knew he was a Marine from the cut of his uniform, with it's tightly pressed military creases. Then I heard him, speaking low with a kind of hiss. He was not speaking to me. He was speaking to my Sergeant, who was the Non Commissioned Officer, in charge of the Military Information Booth, at San Francisco International Airport, where I served as a Navy WAVE, during the Vietnam War.

I heard his tortured attempt to speak. "Hep nee, peesss!" (Help me,please!) He struggled with every word. I was grabbing my purse to take a much needed break, but I was caught by his struggle to make himself understood. I could hear the irritation in the sergeant's voice, as she demanded that he "speak up!"

I paused, as he began again, "I-nee-to-change-ny-tickek!" I understood every painful word he said. He needed to change his ticket. What was wrong with my NCO? "I CAN'T understand you!" She said, irritated. "Speak up!" How rude! I thought. I turned, putting down my purse, and I looked at him, again beginning his struggle to speak. And, no wonder. There stood a tall, strong Marine Officer, perfect in his pristine uniform, missing half his jaw! My God, I thought! What is she thinking?!

"Excuse me, Sir. I can help you." Without thinking, I shoved my Sergeant aside and maneuvered my way in front of her. I could see the man's teeth through the wire that held his face together. I was of no importance, a lowly seaman apprentice, but I knew what this man needed. Someone, who cared enough to listen. I studied his eyes. I saw the pain, and I felt his humiliation. Soul to soul, I knew what to do. I smiled. A big, welcoming smile.

"Yes, Sir! How can I help you?" Painfully, slowly, words, tortured and slurred, escaped from his wired mouth. I listened with all my heart, and I watched his eyes. Dear God, help me to understand! I prayed. And I did understand him, more than I can express. I gave him the directions he needed, and his eyes smiled his thanks. When he walked away, I called a friend at United Airlines, who adopted him immediately, taking great care with his situation.

I thanked God for this opportunity to help a real hero. However, I also knew I was in trouble. I looked at my Sergeant, feeling anger rise in me, at her rudeness and total lack of sensitivity. She stared at me, and she said, "I could put you on report." Her eyes narrowed. Without thinking, I blurted out, "...and, I could put YOU on report, Sergeant, for insubordination to an officer!" My eyes spit fire, as I hurtled the stack of report chits towards her. "Be my guest!" I said, as I grabbed my purse. "I'll be on break."
And I left.

I went on to supper, as I knew it would be a long night. I was troubled, however, now that my "dander" was down, at the thought of going to Captain's Mast, for my insubordination to an NCO. I was certain it would be very unpleasant.

As I neared the United Airlines counter, I saw him again. His luggage was being checked, and his back was towards me. Then, as though someone had told him where I was, he turned, and he looked at me. Our eyes met, for an eternity. Then I smiled.

This soldier and hero, in the United States Marine Corps, pulled himself up to his full height, and with all the military perfection in his being, he gave me a sharp, military salute! I was thrilled! WAVES did not salute indoors, especially, when they were not wearing their cover (hat), but I pulled myself to attention and returned that salute.

Moving on to the cafeteria, I walked a little taller, and I felt more like a lady than I ever had before, in my whole life! And...just a little bit...I felt like a hero.

Jaye Lewis

Note: I received this story in an email. The tears flowed. I contacted the author to ask permission to publish it on these pages. I am so very proud of Jaye Lewis for allowing a man to maintain his dignity when he so richly deserved it. As she saw these men come and go from her airport post she held their hands and prayed with them and for them knowing that some would not return. My brother left for Vietnam from there. He came back safe and sound...physically, anyway..but more about that on another page. I'd like to think he had someone there like her to see him off...perhaps even her.

She still has the ability to give from her heart, but who would even doubt that? Her response to my email brought me to tears once again. She ended it with, "And Leilani, thanks for introducing me to a great patriot...You!" As the tears spilled again I thought...I've never thought of it that way at all. My mission is to right a great wrong done to the men and women in the military at a time when they needed us most. I will, however, proudly and humbly accept that title.

Are these tears from holding back the indignity I felt then and for all these years? What must it be like for those who lived through the pains of war while their countrymen seemingly turning their backs on them? I'm determined to reach as many of our vets that I can through these pages. Please share this with them.

Thank you, Jaye, for allowing me to publish this. You are a great lady and a blessing to us all. You must have been a great comfort to many of our men.