Veterans Day: Honored Reflections of Service, Sacrifice and Salvation

2017-11-09T12:30:45-05:00

“I remember it getting dark, even though it was a bright day. I remember the darkness closing in. It’s amazing how clear everything becomes when you think your next breath could be your last.” – SSG Dale Beatty

On November 15, 2004, during his deployment in Iraq, SSG Dale Beatty, U.S. Army National Guard (Ret.), while on a routine clearing mission with U.S. Army engineers, was injured by an IED explosion. Since then, he has suffered through 26 surgeries and the eventual amputation of his left leg.

The Fisher House Foundation, founded and supported by Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher, provides cost-free housing for recovering veterans, Active Duty personnel and their families.

Because of Fisher House, after being discharged as an in-patient, SSG Beatty was able to go to therapy and then come “home” in the evenings; “Not to a hotel,” he said, “But come home to Fisher House.” Without Fisher House, SSG Beatty’s family probably would not have been able to stay by his side while he was receiving treatment.

Because of Fisher House, the family was able to stay together and support each other through the very difficult road to recovery.

Collocated with Veterans Administration medical facilities and on military bases, Fisher House Foundation makes it possible for families to stay together at a time when being apart could be the difference between making or breaking a wounded soldier.

SSG Beatty is a great example of someone who has found healing through support of his family. “Without Fisher House,” explains SSG Beatty, “I don’t know what my prognosis would have been. If I had had to stay alone, in a hotel for a year, who knows what would have happened?”

As the spouse of a wounded warrior, SSG Beatty’s wife Belinda explained that she didn’t know what she would have done had Fisher House not been available. She described the love she felt from Fisher House representatives, and also those family members who were going through some of the same things she was with their military loved one, as being life saving.

“I’ve seen a lot of charities do a lot of different things for the military, only really the Fisher House has that focus on the entire family,” said SSG Beatty.

SSG Beatty is just one of many examples of American Heroes who have paid dearly for their service with great personal sacrifice.

Will Reynolds, a retired captain for the U.S. army was injured in an IED explosion during his deployment in Iraq nearly 12 years ago. His injuries led to 26 surgeries and the eventual amputation of his left leg.

A collegiate athlete who competed in gymnastics at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Reynolds found comfort in sports during his recovery, particularly running, and competed in several Invictus Games, winning three bronze medals. Last year, his successes led him to becoming the co-captain of the 2016 U.S. Invictus Games team.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has stated that disabled veterans who participate in adaptive sports report benefits such as less stress, reduced dependency on pain and depression medication, fewer secondary medical conditions, higher achievement in education and employment, and more independence.

Competitions like the Invictus Games aid in holistic healing throughout the recovery and rehabilitation process of our soldiers: mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically and socially.

Invictus means ‘unconquered’. The games seek to embody the fighting spirit of the wounded, injured and sick military service members/veterans and what these tenacious men and women can achieve post injury.

During his rehabilitation, Reynolds spent time in a Fisher House, allowing him to devote his attention to recovery and have his family by his side. Will is a great example of someone who has found healing through sports. Both he and Dale are a testament to the statement that a family’s love is truly the best medicine.

With Fisher House, these brave and patriotic military personnel also received salvation.

Please watch this eight minute video of SSG Beatty’s story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGn4A9Wr5iM

Fisher House - A Hero's Story

Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient Ssgt Dale Beatty (ret.) remembers the day his life changed forever and how Fisher House Foundation helped him and...

Response by SSG Michael Scott made Nov 9 at 2017 12:34 PM

2017-11-09T12:34:16-05:00

Good article

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Nov 9 at 2017 12:43 PM

2017-11-09T12:43:47-05:00

Thank you for the great share MAJ Granger.

Response by MAJ Montgomery Granger made Nov 9 at 2017 12:59 PM

2017-11-09T12:59:54-05:00

Hooah!

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Nov 9 at 2017 2:59 PM

2017-11-09T14:59:27-05:00

Touching, such a great display of what the Fisher House is all about! I had never focused on it before watching the video!

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Nov 9 at 2017 6:54 PM

2017-11-09T18:54:14-05:00

Response by SGT Mark Friedman made Nov 10 at 2017 6:00 PM

2017-11-10T18:00:14-05:00

Thank you for your service

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Nov 17 at 2017 10:12 AM

2017-11-17T10:12:08-05:00

Let's treat others with dignity and respect!

You can easily figure out the character of someone by how they treat those that can do nothing for them.

Knowing that many in this world is worse off than I am. For that I am humbled and very thankful for my time in the military set me up for a pretty good life.

Teamwork is dream work that's what we should strive for continually helping others.

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Nov 17 at 2017 11:50 AM

2017-11-17T11:50:43-05:00

When the peace treaties are negotiated and signed. The fight and war isn't over for the Veterans it continues. However politicians can easily agree on spending trillions of dollars sending us into battle. Then why can't the politicians come to their senses and agree on spending billions taking care of the Veterans? As politicians they don't have to be brave to send us into battle. The ones that go into battle are the braves ones putting their lives on the line to ensure we have a free nation . However the politicians should have some decency to see that we get what we deserve when and if we return and not have to fight our own government for it. This shouldn't be a partisan issue when it comes to looking out for Veterans.

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Nov 18 at 2017 2:59 PM

2017-11-18T14:59:17-05:00

I would rather be a healthy peasant than a rich king
The health and care of Veterans should be a priority for our country.
Our Health is the greatest of all our possessions. That's why it's imperative that the VA assures that Veterans care is improved and get rid of the Manager's that are falsifying records on appointments and their facilities are providing sub par care so they can receive bonuses how selfish is that. These unscrupulous Manager's put their bonuses above the life's of Veterans. That's very cold blooded. We know that in battle serving some of us will never return home alive. However that shouldn't be case losing lives of Veterans because they couldn't get an appointment. We must contact our elected politicians and let them hear it from us that we will not stand for Veterans to continually be mistreated and receive sub par care.

Just because I receive good care from the VA facility in Martinez California. It doesn't make me feel any better knowing that somewhere out there a Veteran died because he or she couldn't get an appointment or they committed suicide because they were so frustrated with the system.

Keep in mind how long did our government deny agent orange? I wasn't there but I talked to so many guys that explained how the herbicide was all over the foliage and everything around them. Now let's fast forward almost 700,000 of us were sent to the Persian Gulf in 1991. Many returned with illnesses that couldn't be determined what they were. Headaches, nausea and rashes etc. Later to know as the Gulf War Illness. Most of the Veterans are having a heck of a time with the VA Benefits system again because the government is in denial.

This is not right it's unacceptable and should not be happening at all! Although the system has improved there is still a lot of work to be done. Again I say we as brothers and sisters we must hold these so called Veteran friendly Politicians accountable to deliver not on promises but on what's right. Let's not let them continue to play Russian roulette with our health care. Because our health is the main source off our wealth!

Peace!

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Nov 18 at 2017 3:15 PM

2017-11-18T15:15:14-05:00

The Fischer House is an amazing program to help families cope with the fact that their husband, father or son will need a lot of therapy and that they have a place to live will that is taking place.

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Nov 18 at 2017 9:52 PM

2017-11-18T21:52:16-05:00

Veterans first and no-one should forget that if there is room for others so be it but absolutely Veterans first that's my opinion.

Let's honor those that are serving and those that have served. With Veterans Day behind us now. We should never forget about those that are wearing or have worn a military uniform.

We all have made many sacrifices and many of us have put our lives on the line to assure and protect the freedoms that we have. We deserve to recognized for our commitment to serving this country 365 days a year not just on Veterans Day.

It means something to be a Military member and a Veteran. Many in our society are clueless to that. I served with some very brave men and women. Many of them we are still close friends to this very day. Despite some off the hardships and deployments overseas several times. If I could
do it again I'll do it with absolutely no regrets whatsoever with a smile on my face.

Despite many efforts by politicians for several decades to place the issues facing Veterans on the back burner. We must hold them accountable and let them know it is absolutely unacceptable and we will not go down without a heck of a fight because that's what we do..

So I would like to say to all past, present and future men and women in uniform thank you and may God bless you and your families. As the saying goes we my not know them all but we owe them all.

Peace

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Dec 4 at 2017 12:30 PM

2017-12-04T12:30:31-05:00

On the battlefield, the military pledges to leave no soldier behind. As a nation, let it be our pledge that when they return home, we leave no veteran behind.

Quote by Dan Lipinski

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Dec 4 at 2017 1:21 PM

2017-12-04T13:21:40-05:00

Who the country owe

The country owes military Veterans. They don't owe any other group. How about a sanctuary city for homeless Veterans. As a Veteran I understand the needs of Veterans however I know some are unique. Although the big issues they are all common, compensation and health care. Veterans and retirees should not be left behind any other group. Veterans should not be receiving sub-standard health care. Also Veterans should not have to fight the VA Benefits for compensation that they rightly deserve for injuries or illnesses they sustained on active duty.

People let's not be fooled by the slick talking politicians who say they are going to resolve the issues that Veterans have faced for many decades. What I say to that prove it action speaks louder than words.

My question to the politicians out there. Why are there still Veterans that served in Vietnam still struggling with health issues from the agent orange? Then they are fighting a continuous battle for compensation. Something is wrong with that folks that should not be happening. Why many that served in the first Gulf War are fighting to try and get compensated for Gulf War illnesses?

I like to see things in a optimistic way. However I want to see this for our nation's Veterans employ them, treat them and compensate them if need be. But by all means don't push us to the side and short change us like we second class citizens.

With the possibility of war currently facing us. I like to say this for those that have served during war and peacetime already. The government needs to right the wrongs and injustices that many of Veterans have had to endure unfortunately. Twenty-two suicides a day come on WTF is going on? The politicians should be ashamed of that.

I guess it's not that important to them. However they'll quickly send our sons, daughters and grand kids off to North Korea. Upon their return if they return they'll have to fight the bureaucracy as many before them have. It's not right folks something needs to change.

Peace!