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FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Veterans Day is a time for all of us to
reflect on and honor the service and sacrifice that many have given
while wearing the uniform of the United States. I've had the
pleasure of crossing paths with many of these great individuals, and
like many of us, I've known a few of them who have given the
ultimate sacrifice. As this weekend approached though, I found
myself thinking about one man in particular who I had met back in
2012.
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May 27, 2013 - American flags outside of the Airborne and
Special Operations museum in Fayetteville, N.C., are placed there to
honor the service and sacrifice that our veterans have given while
wearing the uniform of the United States. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt.
1st Class Joe Armas)
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I had recently returned from Afghanistan and I was on my
way back to Fort Hood, Texas following my block leave that I
had spent in Delaware with my five children.
I
pulled into a truck stop in eastern Tennessee. I was
sporting a t-shirt with an ‘Enduring Freedom Afghanistan'
logo on it, and coupled with my clean-cut appearance, I'm
assuming I stuck out like a sore thumb. This man took me
aside and asked me where I had been stationed in
Afghanistan. He too was on his way back to Texas with his
wife after visiting their son who was a Navy seaman
stationed in Virginia.
We began to talk and before long he told me about his
other son who was killed in a helicopter crash in
Afghanistan's Helmand Province earlier that year.
I
knew exactly what incident he was talking about and I froze
for a moment before mustering any response. After all, what
do you say to someone who has had to deal with a tragic loss
like that?
All I could come up with at the time was a
generic ‘your son is a hero' response.
“Yeah, Joey
was a great kid,” he said. That comment took me back
somewhat and when I told the man that my name was Joey all
he could do was smile. I felt an instant connection and if
time had permitted, we could have talked for hours. Time was
of the essence for him and his wife so once our brief
conversation ended, we both headed back onto the undulating
interstate highway of the Tennessee Appalachians.
About two hours later I pulled over again to get something
to eat. Sure enough, the man and has wife had taken the same
exit and stopped at the same truck stop. We continued our
conversation about all-things military for a brief moment
before taking to the highway once again.
That would
be the last time we would ever cross paths. Although my
interaction with the man was minimal, our two brief
encounters left a lasting impact on me. I spent the rest of
the day thinking about how hard it must have been for him
and his wife to deal with the abrupt and tragic loss of
their son.
Unfortunately, they're not the only ones
who know what it feels like to lose a loved one in uniform.
Many of my fellow Service members from this generation and
past, have given the ultimate sacrifice, leaving behind
friends and family members who mourn with sadness but who
are also filled with pride.
I didn't know Joey
personally but I'll take his dad's word that he was a great
kid. What I do know is that Cpl. Joseph "Joey" Logan was a
proud Marine who selflessly gave his life while wearing the
uniform of the United States. For that reason alone, he, and
all of our nation's Veterans who have served this country
with honor, will always have my respect and gratitude.
By U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joe Armas
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2013
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