Run for the Wall 2011 Day 4 05/21/2011

We had a great service at the Viet Nam War Memorial in Odessa, TX – there was a new rock with these words that was ‘unveiled’ – ‘NOT EVERYONE WHO LOST HIS LIFE IN VIETNAM DIED THERE. NOT EVERYONE WHO CAME HOME FROM VIETNAM EVER LEFT THERE’ – It was a very moving time.

I pulled off the road at Colorado City, TX to wait while others were getting fuel and an elderly gentleman on a bike pulled up next to me. He asked if this was were the veteran thing was. I told him it was Run For The Wall and with a little hesitance I asked if I could help him (riders always want to just join us but for legal purposes we cannot allow it). He then stated, ‘I am a survivor of Iwo Jima‘. Wow – history is setting next to me! I called for a Road Guard to get me permission while I visited with this 88 year old, WWII hero. He possesses five bronze stars and a Purple Heart! I was visiting with Henry Connor, who rode his bike about 45 miles to be with us. He was full of life and stories! Let me share a few:

• He purchased his first motorcycle for $400, a 1939 Indian.
• He received 5 Bronze Stars
• He received a Purple Heart
• He had 5 brothers who served our country during war time and lost one in WWII
• He lost two sons in Viet Nam (Terry Lee & Greg [Agent Orange] Cannon)
• Henry fought in 16 combat missions
• While fighting at the Iwo Jima his buddy, Simmons, asked him a favor, ‘Cannon, if you make it home from this war, would you do me a favor?’ Cannon replied, ‘yes of course’. Simmons stated, ‘move to Texas’. That is why our friend is living in Texas, because he made a promise.
• His ex-wife burned all of his belongings, including his medals but there are people trying to recover them for him.
• We parted with him crying one more time, ‘I have never been honored like this in all my wife’.

I could hardly pull myself from this hero but assured him that he was close enough that we would see each other again. He comes to Amarillo, TX twice a year for a check up at the VA Hospital and he assured me that he would give me a call.

The rest of the day was consumed helping people with broke bikes and with skinned up arms and legs. This is one day that I will not soon forget! Thank you Lord for allowing our paths to cross in that parking lot.

We are looking forward to a great church service in the morning – 6:45 am!

Shepherd, Gary Burd