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Saying Thanks

Last year there were at least 75 of these vets that came through IAH on their way to Port O'Connor. This year, like last, a large group of law enforcement officers (active and retired), Patriot Guards, Blue Knights, Gold Star families, Harris County and HPD Honor Guards, Korean War and Vietnam vets, as well as just plain ole down to earth good Americans will meet the wounded warriors at Intercontinental Airport.

We will get the opportunity to not only greet them, but thank them for bleeding for our freedom while fighting the war on terror. Last year one of the vets indicated that he did not get treated this good in his own state and the simple answer to him was "You are in Texas now and that's just the way we do things here." 

For those who don't know me, I did 35 years with HPD, doing all of my time in either Patrol or mostly Narcotics. I chose to build my retirement home in Colorado. One of the best things that has happened to me here was meeting Dave Roever, who established Eagles Summit Ranch. 

You can learn more about the ranch at www.daveroever.org. Dave allowed me to be a small part of his volunteer team as a driver, providing transportation on an as-needed basis for the wounded vets. Dave and his staff provide training and much deserved R&R to some of our returning wounded soldiers and marines who were hurt battling the war on terrorism. Below are just some of the wounded warriors that I had a tiny part in assisting:

• J R, a young soldier and burn victim who was injured by an IED.  J R has more heart then most people that I have known in my life. He earned a role in All My Children for you soap opera buffs.

• Doug, a young soldier who wanted to follow in his father's footsteps as a Michigan cop. But an IED attack destroyed that wish when it caused him to lose one eye and caused such head trauma that he can no longer work out.

• Shane, a young soldier, husband and professional athlete. An IED attack caused massive wounds and caused him to die during the emergency medical treatment, but he was brought back and the career that he trained for far all of his life was over.

• Bobby. I am going to talk a little more about Bobby. A married young soldier who was severely hurt by an IED. He also died more then once during surgery, but was brought back. Bobby has a long and deep v-shaped crease in his skull and has trouble walking, but has a positive attitude regarding his recovery. 

I listened to Bobby give a great speech before a veterans group, but from time to time he would lose his train of thought. He would just look out at the crowd and smile that million dollar smile of his, hesitate and then apologize and explain to them that he had left half of his brain on the side of a road in Iraq and sometimes he loses his place.

Mark This Date

Now you are a stronger man then I am if that does not hit home real hard. When he was through with his training he actually thanked me for my tiny part. Can you imagine that? But I was quick to correct him by letting him know that the thanks truly went to him.

These are just a few of the young heroes that I have had a small part in helping. Now you have an opportunity on Friday, May 21^st  that many people in Houston would love to have - the opportunity to spend just a small amount of time in the lives of so many wounded and recovering young warriors who all have their own stories.

There will be many people in Houston who will be jealous because they were not invited and would have gladly come in your place.

You know what the most worn out phase in the English language is?  It's "I support the troops." Even limp-wristed tree-hugger types use it and most do not know the true meaning. They just do not want to come off as the weak, pathetic individuals that they truly are. 

At the end of World War II there were parades for our returning fathers. Truly this was the greatest generation and they had the support of most of the nation. These parades gave the people at home the opportunity to tell those who sacrificed for them "thank you for fighting for my freedom and welcome home."

This opportunity never presented itself to the Korean, Vietnam and for some of our returning Gulf War vets. And we all know how some Vietnam vets were treated. If you look closely, some of those who protested against the Vietnam war might actually be some of those who are running the country today.

If you have a legitimate excuse for not being there to tell our wounded warriors thank you that is understandable, but please reach out to another cop, retired or not, and let them know about this gathering.

Now, at the end of the day, if you have been a part of this annual event, trust me when I tell you that when you look in the mirror you will feel a little better about the person looking back at you. 

This feeling comes from being a part of an event that shows not only Houstonians, but Texans, that Houston cops, retired or not, are truly good Americans and from the bottom of their hearts "support the troops."

In closing let me say that my routine is to be in Colorado each year during the month of May and I do not travel well in the Texas heat on a Harley.  But I figure if these young men could bleed for me in the sand of some hot middle eastern country then the least I could do was travel the 2000 miles to be there to help thank them.  Won't you please join me and so many other patriots in greeting these young warriors in the IAH area on Friday, May 21^st and show them how things are done in Texas.  You will notice that I have not included the address or time of this event, which was not by accident.  There will be another follow up article that will include this information at a later date.

I am not sure if I have all of the answers for you or not, but if you have any questions feel free to contact me at rashwood@centurytel.net.