"Just Another Drunk Indian..."----MEMORIAL DAY--Thread # 2

5/23/05 | redrock---(some old geezer in Utah)

[redrock]

The bus seemed to be stopped forever....or at least quite a while.

I was taking the bus to visit some friends. We had pulled over downtown to pick up some passengers...and it seemed that we were at that one stop for a while. I had noticed that the driver had lowered the ramp to let on a person...wheelchair or other I didn't know.

I heard someone from the back speak softly...."I see why were taking forever.....just another drunk Indian."

I looked up to see ....and in the doorway (moving ever so s-l-o-w-l-y...and I mean s-l-o-w-l-y) was a American Indian (or Native American for all you P.C. bunch). He was moving his legs about 3 inches at a time....and he was using his crutches to balance himself. He kept trying to speak to the bus driver....but you couldn't really understand him...his words were so slurred.

Finally he managed to get to the front seat (vacated by someone else in an effort to speed things up I guess) and plopped down. Just then...the bottom of his pants came up and you could see the two metal rods that passed for his legs.......and I could see the scarring on his face that made it (or I would guess it would) difficult for him to move his mouth.

Somewhere in the next few blocks...I started a conversation with him. ( I talk to everyone....I find people interesting). We started off the with the usual mundane stuff....the weather...(it was snowing)...how the buses are always late. Then I noticed the tatoo on his hand.

"Semper Fi"

I asked if he had been in the Marine Corps. He looked at me with that '1,000 yard stare'.....the kind that old Veterans sometimes get.....and slowly nodded yes.

So...for the next couple of hours...we rode the bus talking...(it turns out that he rode the bus sometimes just to get out the weather)...learning.

*******************************************

He was from the Navajo Reservation....and came up to "The Big City" once in a while to visit the V.A.Hospital...and have his 'stumps' (how he put it) checked out since the fit with his metal legs never quite worked out.

He told me of how long ago ...as a young man on the 'Res.'.....he joined the Marines. Going thru Basic....learning how to be a Radio Operator....then going to Vietnam.

Of spending the first few months there...basically bored. Just doing the routine patrols....and the tedious life while at base. Then....of being on one patrol.

The patrol was Company size.....and the enemy was at least twice as many. The chaos when the first explosions happened.....the C.O. yelling on the radio (the one that he was carrying) for fire-support. The sound of small arms.....the yelling and screaming.....and for some reason...he remembers how bright the sky was.

Then nothing.

He awoke with a Navy Corpman over his face....calmly asking him questions. Questions that never seemed to make sense...as if the Corpman was speaking some language other than english.

...and in the distance...someone was screaming.

He told me that he was trying to concentrate on the Corpman (maybe he was asking something important)...and he wanted to tell the person screaming to shut up.

Then......just before he passed out from the pain and the morphine.......he realized the person screaming.....was him.

************************************************

He awoke aboard a Navy Hospital ship...with tubes going into and out of his body. The room that he was in was so clean....and had other men in it. He looked around the room...and saw men with casts on...and with I.V.'s feeding them.

Then he looked down at the foot of his bed.

It took awhile for his brain to connect.....and to make the reality check and actually realize that he had no legs.

He said that he just laid there and cried.

**********************************************

They cleaned him up.....trying to fix the wounds to his face...but he would always have scars. Scars that would limit his ability to speak.

They fitted him with a wheelchair at first....and then around 6 years later...metal legs. They gave him physical therapy...to try and teach him to use his new legs.

They gave him a Purple Heart.....and sent him home.

***********************************************

We Americans have this image of what a Hero is supposed to look like.

Tall. Square Jaw. Blond hair....blue eyes.

But it usually doesn't work out that way.

If you are ever in "The Big City" and you see along the side of the road (usually down-town) a 5'4" Navajo painfully making his way down the sidewalk with his metal legs and two crutches.....pull over and raise your hand in a salute.

For an American Hero is in front of you.....

[righttackle44]

"I saw most of it but missed some sound because I took a phone call... It was an awesome show. Lori's daughter, Carla, looks so much like her mother..."

I agree about Carla.

Was a touching show.

[F-117A]

Hero Bump!

[al baby]

Big George Rocks

God bless the vets and the troops that still fight today

[Vigilanteman]

Good post. Indians have a higher percentage of veterans than any other ethnic group. I sometime joke it is because we've experienced first-hand how out-of-control immigration can wreck a nation.

[La Enchiladita]

I sometime joke it is because we've experienced first-hand how out-of-control immigration can wreck a nation.

The American Indian = Homeland Security since 1492!

[redrock]

Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian from Arizona is buried in Section 34 of Arlington National Cemetery.

To me...that says more about the man than anything else.

redrock

[redrock]

"Native Americans have always been among the most courageous warriors on earth."

I served with a couple of Navajo's in Vietnam....and I agree with you.

redrock

[justshutupandtakeit]

One of Johnny Cash's most touching songs, if not the most, was The Ballad of Ira Hayes.

[radu]

Can you tell your story of the American Indian you met last month?

The Code Talker WW II Vet

I'd be happy to, Tonk.
Earlier this month, the Native American Indian Association held a pow wow In neighboring Winchester, TN. The first evening, they held a Veterans' Homecoming and the Guest of Honor was Thomas H. Begay, a Navaho Code Talker and Iwo Jima survivor.
Once I heard he would be there, a team of mules wouldn't have been able to keep me away. LOL!

We arrived a little early and while wandering around, we spotted Mr. Begay doing a little wandering himself. I went over to thank him for his service and we spoke for a few minutes.

I was so excited, and nervous, my legs were shaking when I first walked up to him, but he is such a sweet, gentle man that I soon relaxed a bit. But I was in awe of him and couldn't believe I was speaking with living history such as he is. It's a moment that will remain in my memory for the rest of my life.

I was almost afraid to ask him if he'd mind my husband taking a picture of us together, but I did anyway and he happily obliged.

Here's a link to a page with a little info on this incredible gentleman.

[radu]

This story made me think of the picture "One man standing" posted here last year. I have searched for it but can't locate it. The picture showed a man standing (in front of his wheelchair) while the Color Guard passed his position where he was watching the parade.

I have the picture you're talking about, zip. :-)

My thanks to both of you for your service. *HUGZ*

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You!

[radu]

You're more than welcome.
Glad I could help. :-)

[jellybean]

"...call him drunken Ira Hayes, he won't answer any more. Not the wiskey drinking Indian or the Marine that went to war..."

Ira Hayes (survivor of the Marines' raising the American Flag on Iwo Jime

I also thought of Ira Hayes as I was reading this story. Good to know he's not forgotten.

[zip]

Thank you. I will archive this picture and hopefully will be able to find it next time.

That pix definitely makes one stop and think. Again, thanks

[redrock]

Outstanding story.

redrock

[Marysecretary]

Thanks! I'll write them a thank you note for that wonderful episode. It was unforgettable. M

[Marysecretary]

Thanks! I'll write them a thank you note for that wonderful episode. It was unforgettable. M

[Molly Pitcher]

Bump...

redrock, have I fallen off your ping list?

[redrock]

Back again.....

redrock

[redrock]

Bump.....

redrock