The passing of a brother.

SFC Boots Attaway — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 00:37:14 -0500

This was posted on the fb page Cold War Veterans and I had to share:

Luis Zamora‎, Fort Ord, California

Here at the West Texas VA Hospital Center Big Spring, Texas, the sounding of Taps was played, echoing up and down the 5th Floor Ward Hallway at 5:10AM, this early Sunday morning. November 30, 2014.

A Navy Veteran from the Korean War had just passed away. I came out of my room and rendered a Salute as the gurney with my Fellow Brother was lying there under a white blanket, and draped with the American Flag. The VA Police also rendered salutes and escorted our Brother down the hallway to the elevator and the trip to the morgue located in the basement floor.

His niece and her husband flew and came back in time from a trip to Arizona to be by his side when he died. After the Thanksgiving Noon Meal here at the VA, they quickly went to see their children for the Thanksgiving Day Holiday Weekend. She and her husband would visit him on a daily basis and bring him a strawberry milkshake, which he loved. He had no children.

Also present, was the Chaplin, and all of the Medical Staff Members on Duty, who provided treatment and care for Him personally for several months.

His room was next door to mine. He was the first Veteran who welcomed me to the Ward back on September 11th, the day of my admittance. Back then he would ride his electric wheelchair up & down the hallway and when he would pass my room he would say "Howdy" and render a salute. I got this idea from Him and started the same tradition with other Veterans in our Ward, who were in serious condition. to me, it was a Labor of Love, Admiration, and Respect.

He would always peer into my open door way every time he passed by. He would then smile and salute. He always wore a old tan cowboy hat, which was his working man's hat. It was his trademark in our Ward.

As time passed, he hardly got out of his room to go outside with his niece, and smoke in the nice little park beside the flag poles flying our Nation's Colors. I was honored by his presence two weeks ago, when I went for a wheelchair walk/ride around the park circle paved pathway. This would turn out to be his last time outside enjoying a good smoke and the bright sunlight shining in the West Texas Sky.

I had a difficult time pushing myself up the incline. He would look at me and encourage me to keep pushing. His niece offered assistance to help, but I told her that slowly but surely, I could make it back to the hospital's main entrance.

Every time during my continuing stay, as I would pass His Room, and if He was awake, alert and seeing me at his doorway; I would stop, saluted him, and he would return my salute and greeting. It was just a small gesture, but to me, it was memorable and priceless.

Lately, in the past week, as I passed his room on several occasions, he would quietly say, "Help, Help, Help". He was too weak to push the Call Button. I then would wheel myself as fast as I could and alert the medical staff that he needed assistance. I was blessed to have had this small mission to accomplish on his behalf.

I am telling you this story, because I am sure that stories like mine are happening all the time in our country's VA Hospital. I am no one special or unique. He is the 5th Veteran to die since my arrival for follow up care after surgery on September 8th, at Midland Memorial Hospital.

I ask my Sisters & Brothers, if possible, please take a trip during this Holiday Season and visit our Honored Veterans at your local VA Hospital. A small Christmas Ornament would mean the world to them. It did for me just the other day.

I offered my condolences to his Niece and to her Husband, as they returned to his room to collect his personal belongings. Our tears were flowing.

The Golden Streets of the Heaven's Above are again full this early morning with a Honored Korean War Navy Veteran, Brother, and Friend. May He Rest In Eternal Peace, forever and ever, Amen. God Bless America.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 12:55 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 00:55:54 -0500

Awesome

Response by TSgt Kristin Parsons made Dec 1 at 2014 10:16 AM

TSgt Kristin Parsons — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 10:16:23 -0500

Thank you for sharing...Rest Easy Brother

Response by CPL Rick Stasny made Dec 1 at 2014 9:17 PM

CPL Rick Stasny — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 21:17:12 -0500

Touching......Thank you for your service, not only for our county, but your fellow man.

Response by SPC Gary Scott made Dec 1 at 2014 9:28 PM

SPC Gary Scott — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 21:28:21 -0500

Great post. I believe it is important for veterans to keep the stories of our "elder" veterans at the for front of social media. It is important to tell stories of remembrance as a way to honor those who served.

Rest easy on the streets of Gold in Heaven; for you have done your time in hell.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 9:34 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 21:34:41 -0500

Great story, Boots. And an excellent reminder that we can do more by visiting VA hospitals and spreading a little cheer, thanking veterans for their service.

I was struck by the author's comment that he could make it up the incline in his wheelchair. Isn't that the military still "in" that fellow? I say it is.

Thanks for sharing this story.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 10:47 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 22:47:39 -0500

Best idea I've heard all day.
Whoever the author is rendered an excellent final salute himself.