From My Backyard to the Battlefield
His name was Eddie.
Though his family attended a church across town, his teenage sister was part of the youth group my husband pastored. When our first baby was born, we asked her to babysit.
It started a friendship between our families that lasts to this day.
Their Eddie and our Kenna were just months apart. As they grew, they became childhood friends.
Both were homeschooled and once both moms decided, since their public school friends had no classes that frosty, foot-of-fallen-snow January day, we’d give them a snow day too.
Here they are in my backyard before retreating inside to warmth to sip some hot cocoa.
Eddie was always a delightful, polite and fine son.
Today, now a young man, Ed (forever Eddie in my mind) wears a scar of war.
He also wears an artificial foot. The one given at birth is no more.
Hear his sister Shari’s words after returning from a visit to his rehab hospital:
I reluctantly returned last night from my visit with my brother. I really do not have adequate words to describe the trip: amazing, overwhelming, heartbreaking, inspirational.
Even though I thought I was prepared, I have to be honest and say I held in the tears and really had to take a few minutes to adjust. I tried to hide that from him but I’m sure he knew.
It’s not just seeing my brother that is a mixed emotion it’s being at that facility that is completely life changing. I believe every American should have to take a trip there. I don’t think anyone realizes the obstacles these boys have to overcome when they are injured. Nor do people realize the volume of injuries that are taking place.
My brother is now in an apartment building with two wings. One wing is five stories the other eight, totally filled with amputees!!! These are kids most of which are under the age of 25 and most losing at least two limbs (usually both legs).
A large majority are without 3 limbs (both legs and an arm). You can tell they try very hard to salvage at least an arm for these young men. Many have one arm, however mangled and without all their fingers, their attempt at giving them something.
You walk through the halls of this apartment building knowing there is a different story and heartbreak behind each soldier, but also courage and hope to find their place now.
As if walking through the hospital and apartment building isn’t enough to give a whole new meaning to our American Flag and everything it stands for I got to take two trips to physical therapy with Ed.
I couldn’t help the tears that came not only for my brother but the others whose injures are so extreme. To see them in tears of their own pushing and working so hard to overcome their injuries and simply try to live a “normal” life was again was something I cannot put into words.
The things you see them do (those without limbs literally rolling from one place to another) with a smile or pain dripping off their face made my life look like roses.
This may sound weird but I felt very blessed to experience that and be taught the appreciation for …well.. basically everything. You don’t realize how much you have until you experience what I did at Walter Reed.
A few weeks ago our Kenna hopped in her car after work late on a Saturday and traveled from her home in North Carolina to the nation’s capital to visit her childhood and still close friend.
Like old times, they made pizza. Laughed. Fell asleep watching movies. She even gave him a haircut (legally now that she’s a real cosmetologist!)
She even proudly witnessed his very first post-war step.
Mom Sharon got to be with them all weekend.
I got to stay home and pray as the update tweets rolled in; pray for the little boy from my backyard who grew into a man, gladly giving limb, and nearly life, so others could live free.
Sweet sisters, I have no words of help here today.
No clever quips.
No organizing tips.
No fun giveaway to offer you by a comment left.
There is nothing in this post here for you today.
Instead I am asking you to take an unselfish moment of time to leave a comment for soldier Ed.
Even a simple thanks to this man whose life was altered forever because he tried to fight for a better life for foreign strangers whom he did not even know.
Veterans Day is sorely and sadly overlooked.
Will you make in not be so here?
I thank you.
And I know Ed and his sweet, sacrificial family do too.
Gratefully,
Ed, Thank you for your faithful service. May we, your country, serve you as well as you have served us. Hold us accountable and show us how to appreciate the freedom your sacrifice has upheld. May you feel God’s presence in each step as you become stronger, steady and supported.
Thank you just doesn’t seem like enough. The disrespect and lack of appreciation seen on the news is not the heart of anyone I know. I am an American proud of you and think you are a hero. My family is full of veterans, one who gave his life for our country. I think the legacy you will leave makes a difference!! God bless you.
Thank you Ed! Much love, thankfulness and gratitude to you and to all who serve, and to your family. You will be in my prayers!
Just a note to say “THANK YOU”!!!
We are proud to be able to tell you and others that message today. Know that you are all in HIS hands today. We thank you for your sacrifice for freedom. May God richly bless you and yours in the coming days.
Psalms 147:3-5
Thank you Ed for your sacrifice and willing spirit to protect our freedom. We can’t thank our soldiers and veterans enough.
via email:
Hi Ed, you are COURAGEOUS!!!!! I want you to know that I do nottake my freedom lightly!! If it was not for soldiers like you I couldn’t even go outside my home for fear something bad would happen!!!
Jesus never leaves or forsakes us!!! Jesus has us covered!!! Be sure to read psalm 91 over & over!! Go now & tell your story & what your almighty Jesus did for you!! The joy of the Lord is your strength!!!
Just4Him, Donna Amarillo, Texas
Via email: Ed, Thank you seems so inadequate for all that you and all soldiers do to protect us and this country. But, sincerely, from the bottom of my heart…….thank you! And may God Bless you and continue to help you and give you His grace and peace in the coming days.
Ed, you are an inspiration. Not only do I thank you- I salute you. You left the comfortableness of home and went somewhere to protect, serve, and honor your country. I will admit, I don’t have the type of courage. You do and I will always forever be thankful to you. God bless you Ed and he has many awesome things in this life in store for you.
Ed,
Thank you doesn’t seem like enough for your sacrifice and those of ALL the veterans. As a child that comes from a family full of military service members, I truly appreciate your sacrifice for our freedom. May God keep your spirit strong as you go through your rehabilitation. You and all those serving are always in my prayers. Soldiers are the true heroes of this country. God bless you & your family & all those with you at Walter Reed. Please send my heartfelt gratitude to them as well. I have shared your story on my Facebook page and hope that many of my friends & family will also write to you and share your story as well.
Thank you,
Devin
Ed,
Thank you for being the fine outstanding man that you obviously are! I appreciate your service and sacrifice so I can enjoy the freedom to post this comment. I am praying for your recovery and that the Lord continually bless you! Also, thank you to your family for the sacrifices they have also made while you are in service to our country. May God bless all of you!
No greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his brother. You have given your life as you knew it.. Thank you. Please express my thanks and gratitude for the other soldiers at Walter Reed. You are all heroes. May God bless you.
Ed, you are truly a hero and such a blessing to America. I am grateful for your willingness to serve at the cost of your physical well being. America is a better place thanks to you. Praying for your recovery and blessings in your life! Thank YOU!!
Thank you so much for all you do for our great nation. Thank you for standing in harms way to keep us safe. As a military wife, I will never forget the sacrifices you all make. Stay strong and keep your spirit up. You will conquer anything. You are an amazing person. I pray that you will gain strength and will be up going and pain free. You are a blessing to us all.
God bless you and your family.
Thank you so much Ed for all you have given. God has truely blessed your life for your humbleness to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. You are continually in our thoughts and prayers, and a huge praise from our family to yours for your positive outlook and your truely blessed opportunity of the great witness you have been to many through this. Thank you ED!
Dear Ed, to say “thank you” doesn’t seem enough. But I AM so thankful for your service and so appreciative of your sacrificial spirit. What you do matters greatly. YOU matter. God bless you.
Thank you Ed, for all of your sacrifices! You are an inspiration to read your story and to see a smile on your face. God Bless YOU!
Amy
Dear Ed,
I am so grateful to you and your fellow service men and women. Thank you, thank you for your heart to help others, your courage to face the unknown, and your strength to endure. I am praying that the Lord fills you and your entire building with such a great HOPE and JOY that it becomes infectious in the lives of all who come in contact with you.
Thank you, again, for your service and sacrifice – putting others ahead of yourself. May you now receive abundantly from others as you continue to walk this life COURAGEOUSLY. Joshua 1:6
Gratefully,
Paul, Kim, Mason and Austin
DeWitt, MI
Ed thank you so much for your sacrifice for my freedom. Thank you that you gave of yourself for our protection. I pray that as you continue to heal and strengthen that our Heavenly Father will draw you closer to Himself. I thank God for men like you who are willing to sacrifice for others. Please know that on this heart your sacrifice has not been in vain.
Ed, I would ask that you share these messages with your fellow soldiers to let them know as well that there are many who truly appreciate all that they have given. While the words “Thank you” seem so insignificant it is all I have to offer. May the Lord bless you all and keep your hearts and minds focused on Him.
Blessings to you and all your fellow warriors!
Lisa
via email: Please send my thanks to this brave young soldier for his unselfish gift of fighting for the freedom of so many Americans. Even more so since he now has to live his life differently than when he left to serve this Country of ours. My father-in-law was in the Korean War and have heard stories from family members as to what he had to endure as well as losing many of his comrades. I am thankful that Ed is still being blessed, that he has the support of family and friends to help him continue each day — renewed in spirit. God gives us strength to endure many hardships. My ‘struggles’ do not come close in comparing to the strength God has given this young man.
Proverbs 29:18
Deb
Via email: Thank you for sharing this story of friendship and sacrifice. And
thank you to Ed! Wow…it is an honor to “meet” you and know of your
story.
God Bless You!
Ed—
I am getting private messages from teachers who are showing your picture to their classes. Lots of kids are learning about you and your bravery on Veterans Day & want to show their thanks by sending cards. :-)
I don’t know if this will work, but I hope it does. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=3031233861637&source=jlfb&cont=2&ref=nf
Kathryn–
Thanks for taking the time to do this.
Ed—click on the link to see what she sent you.
God Bless you Ed! You and all other soldiers are amazing and hold a very special place in my heart. Prayers will be started for you today and will continue! Thank you for defending our country and allowing us to live in freedom each and every day!
My little boy, 5, saw your picture and got scared. He didn’t understand that you are a soldier and that sometimes soldiers get hurt. Put a new perspective on the little guy’s world view. Mommy, I hope God grows a new foot for him. What faith he has and I pray that his hope will flood you as you come into your new “normal”. May God continue to use you to touch others. My little boy is “showing” your story to his classmates today in Kindergarten because he wants them to know that our soldiers need our love, encouragement, and prayers. I wish I could be there to give you a hug and say thank you in person. Stay strong and when you can’t fall into Jesus’ arms and let him love on you and give you his strength.
May The Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Dear Ed,
We can’t begin to thank you enough for putting your life on the line for our country and the millions of people who are blessed to call it home. You have sacrificed tremendously for us and we will be forever grateful.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you today, as we celebrate Veterans Day and honor all of those who have served our country well. May God’s peace, joy, and love rest abundantly upon you as His healing continues to strengthen and restore you completely.
Continued prayers,
Keith, Leah, Brody, & Carson DiPascal