I picked up my plate of food from the service line and walked over to where there were rows and rows of tables set up. Most of the spots were taken by other attendees of this annual event that Benchmark Mortgage hosts called “Boot’n & Shoot’n” just North of Dallas Texas. This was going to be my last event as a Benchmark employee since I had just turned in my two-week notice that I was going to be starting my own business. It was an exciting day with several hundred people at this outdoor sporting clay shoot event including; Speakers, Live Auctions, Raffles, and a Live Concert. Boot’n & Shoot’n is an annual fundraising event to give back to our military veterans. I looked around for an available seat and I saw a few tables way in the back that were empty. When I got back there, I noticed there was one guy sitting alone and quietly eating but almost trying to be invisible to any attention. I recognized him right off since I had just seen him being introduced to everyone. It was Marcus Luttrell, the author of the book “Lone Survivor“ (which was later adapted into a movie with Mark Whalberg). Luttrell was part of a 4-man team that came under attack while in Afghanistan. As the only SEAL team soldier alive, Luttrell spent several days avoiding detection despite having been shot, broken bones, no food or water and several severe open wounds.
I sat down in a seat near him but still giving him some room. As I sat, he looked up and we gave each other the quick nod acknowledging each other without saying a word. I was merely 2 feet from this guy who had not only been accepted as a Navy SEAL and the rigorous training and testing they go through, but also been through so much pain and suffering, I could not imagine what it must have been like. Suddenly, I had cotton in my mouth and despite trying to form a sentence several times, I was never able to actually SAY anything to him. Every time I was about to say something, I thought “What in the world would he care about THAT!?” I went through my mental filing cabinet – I had nothing.
I was glad he never noticed me almost staring as I asked myself many questions; ‘What was the secret trait he had that gave him the courage to endure so much?’ – ‘How could he look at any single day or challenge without laughing at its simplicity compared to what he had been through?’ – ‘Was his courage, toughness, loyalty something he had learned or was he born with it?’ I felt SO inferior and so less ‘worthwhile’ in the scope of this man’s actions to serve his country…or even deeper…to stay alive.
Often times I will be driving down the road and notice a vehicle in front of me with a disabled vet license plate or a sticker naming a conflict or part of the service. Who is this? Are they a hero too? Are they the kind of people that run into burning fires to rescue others? What would I do in similar situations? Seriously…if I was in any similar unexpected, ‘now or never’, ‘do or die’ moment…would I have the fortitude to do the same heroic actions this guy did? I think we would ALL like to think that we would do whatever we needed to preserve the life of another person or persons. But if it really came down to it….would I have the same courage and bravery to do whatever it was this guy did? The only thing that was certain was…there was no questioning how this guy would react…he was there and he did it…for real!
Eventually, he quietly stood up and walked off as I sat there drowning in my inadequacy. What would I say the next time I saw a vet? I have started at least acknowledging them as real PEOPLE and usually offering “thanks for your service” although I can’t help but feel that it is only slightly more than “how was your day”. I would suggest that if the circumstances are appropriate – take time to thank our servicemen and women, and perhaps ask where they served and how long they’ve been back. It all seems like small talk from my perspective, although I am sure just about ANY veteran would appreciate a quick conversation with a citizen of the country they registered to protect and serve.
“Greater love has no one other than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
(John 15:13)