Closing ceremonies have been concluded, 8th & I Marine Barracks ceremony rained out, and riders showered, in street clothes, hanging around the lobby swapping lies and reminiscing. But I had conversations tonight with four individuals that are important and meaningful enough to recount to you.
Upon arrival at the hotel we were greeted by Brian Mast. His story was told in Wytheville. He was severely wounded by an explosion in Afghanistan (I think it was) and lost both legs above the knees in Sept. ’09. He is truly an amazing young man. One story I heard about him was that 10 days after he reached the hospital a buddy went to visit him. He was not in his room. When the visitor asked the nurses’ station where he was he was told “If you can find him please tell us so we can get him to physical therapy”. Brian went scuba diving 10 months after his explosion. He was wearing shorts and using canes today when we arrived. He came out to thank each vet personally for their service – on two artificial legs, plates in his head, and rods and screws in his back! That is why we ride – although Brian told me he fully expects to make the ride himself one day!
I had conversations with three other riders who show an odd juxtaposition. I’ve mentioned two of them in earlier blogs. One is an 83-year-old rider who’s ridden from northern CA. He served in the Army in WWII. He has some interesting tales to tell. He is glad to have made The Run, found healing along the way, and told me the WWII Vets and the Viet Nam vets are very much alike, but they were treated very differently. He is already planning to do it again.
The third is an American Soldier during WWII who was captured and held by the Japanese for several years. He was made to build railroads while a POW. He too found healing on the Run and plans to do it again. After all, as he told me, “I’m only 81”. I hope I can do half as well if I reach his age!
The fourth is an American born citizen of oriental descent. During WWII his entire family was “interred”- locked up by our own government just because they were of Oriental descent. So they both suffered during the war. One was imprisoned by the Japanese government at the same time the other was imprisoned by our own government. They both found comfort on The Run even though their experiences were very different.
Four different men, from different generations, suffering from different injuries – but all finding (and giving) healing on The Run. That’s wh
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