We had an amazing
experience today. Down at the Capitol Mall was “Armed Forces Day”.
They had tons of military vehicles even helicopters. The boys got to
look at and even hold some of the guns, helmets, packs and a practice
grenade.
My Dad was awesome
and bought us Micky D's for lunch and went around with us for an
hour. And Mom came and met us just in time for the big guns and the
fly over. REALLY loud, especially when you are sitting 15-20 feet
behind the guns!
But the most amazing
moment came towards the end. I had to go move my car and when I got
back there was a solider (I did not catch his rank, but I DO know his
name, I am not saying it because
I don't know if he wants to be publicized, I want to respect his
privacy) sitting on one of the vehicles with Vinny. He was chatting with
my mom and Vin (and Will when he wasn't being a nut) and from what I
heard as I walked up I knew that Vinny had been talking to him about
PTSD.
As I came into the
convo we found out that the solider was involved with the Albany Veteran's Day Parade every
year, and we talked about how both he and his sister have served and
are serving.
He then described
the patches on his uniform, stating that there are 2 patches you
might see on someone who has actually seen action, one means you've
been shot AT, the other (he pointed to the one he wore)
“Unfortunately means you have been the one shooting” Not said
with shame or anything, just the reality that you don't WANT to have
to do that.
We talked a little
longer and at the end he stopped and said, “You know what?” and
he pulled off one patch, handing it to Will. “This is for you.”
Then he pulled off the other side (2 patches for Airborne) and put
them on Vinny's sleeve. “These are for you.”
I was at a loss for
words. My little nut Vinny had managed to connect with that man
because he cared. His strange and wonderful hobby of reading National
Geographic led to him reading multiple articles about PTSD and
soldiers' lives, and his beautifully empathetic spirit let him
connect to someone years older and wiser, who has seen and done
things I cannot imagine. And I am so very proud of him.
