Today I spent the day with a hero....

Who are the heroes of our generation? Good question. It can't be the "glamorous people" we see in the tabloids. Heroes see everything BUT themselves. It can't be our professional athletes- the role models our children admire, who are either juicing up or whining over how little money they make. Unfortunately, this is where the majority of the "star struck" Americans reserve their definitions of admiration.

Today I spent the day with a real hero....
Today, our real heroes are no longer celebrated. In fact, more often than not they are misunderstood on the highest level. The heroes of our time are closer than most think. They are the life-blood of this country and are usually in jobs that are less than glamorous. Often they go under the radar, encompassing the blue-collar jobs...doing the things others don't want to. My heroes, those that have affected me most, have been found in the lives of our military. I say the "lives" because this definition includes the family unit of those fighting to protect you and I. Coming from a four generation military family, I can certainly say I am biased. Nevertheless, the faithful husbands and wives that endure the rigors of the "military marriage" are just as much the heroes of which I speak.

Today I spent the day with Richard Ingram. I met Richard through my brother, Richie. Being fly fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts, we've all spent some time together over the past couple years. Richie (my brother) and Richard were roommates last year....Richie being the CO (Commander) and Richard being his 1st Sergeant, they ran BRAVO Company like a well-oiled machine. They were roommates, and therefore have become very close. Last December, Richard decided to drop out of NGCSU and the ROTC program to enlist in the military. He just couldn't wait for that commission as a 2nd LT. He immediately was sent over to Iraq as an infantryman.

A month ago this week, Richard was in the turret of a Hummer manning the 50 cal. and an I.E.D. (Improvised Explosive Devise) exploded, resulting in the vehicle rolling three times. After gathering his wits, Richard immediately attempted to rush to the aid of his fellow soldiers only realized his right arm was dangling by a couple of tendons just below his elbow.

I spent the day with Richard and Richie. They both go by "Rich", so things were confusing at times. So where is it that we would decide to spend the day? Was it at the hospital? Was it at his parents house? No. We spent the day fly fishing...Yes, fly fishing. A month ago Richard's arm was ripped from his body and today we fished over 6 miles of water over 5 hours. Simply amazing.

I felt like I was watching a young Lance Armstrong as he insisted on doing everything himself. Trivial task such as tying your shoes are troublesome. Not to mention trying to navigate a flowing river in a float tube, while fly fishing with one arm and a plastic trash bag on the stump where the other once was. Although frustrated at times, and understandably so, we could both see (my brother and I) how happy Richard was to be outdoors doing what he has been dreaming of doing for the past month...fly fishing with friends.

Richard's determination didn't start with the loss of his arm. He built that reputation back at school based on the intense training he always put himself through. You see...Richard knows what it takes to be a soldier...he always has. He volunteered to do this job for you and I.... that is why they call it "The Service". So when you cross paths with one of these volunteer "servants", make sure that you recognize them for the protection they provide and the loss they have sustained. They are the same soldiers you cried for in "Saving Private Ryan" and "Blackhawk Down"...except they're not actors.

It didn't take Richard losing his arm to make him a hero... it just punctuated the fact. When they were loading Richard up on the stretcher, he said "I guess I'll be the first guy to make it through Ranger school with one arm."