Real Hero
by Jaye Lewis
I only noticed him out of the corner of my eye. I knew he was
a Marine from the cut of his uniform, with its tightly pressed
military creases. Then I heard him, speaking low with a kind
of hiss. He was not speaking to me. He was speaking to my
Sergeant, who was the Non Commissioned Officer, in charge
of the Military Information Booth, at San Francisco
International Airport, where I served as a Navy WAVE,
during the Vietnam War.
I heard his tortured attempt to speak. "Hep nee, peesss!"
(Help me, please!) He struggled with every word. I was
grabbing my purse to take a much needed break, but I was
caught by his struggle to make himself understood. I could
hear the irritation in the sergeant's voice, as she demanded
that he "speak up!"
I paused, as he began again, "I-nee-to-change-ny-tickek!"
I understood every painful word he said. He needed to change
his ticket. What was wrong with my NCO? "I CAN'T understand
you!" She said, irritated. "Speak up!" How rude! I thought. I turned,
putting down my purse, and I looked at him, again beginning
his struggle to speak. And, no wonder. There stood a tall,
strong Marine Officer, perfect in his pristine uniform, missing
half his jaw! My God, I thought! What is she thinking?!
"Excuse me, Sir. I can help you." Without thinking, I shoved
my Sergeant aside and maneuvered my way in front of her.
I could see the man's teeth through the wire that held his face
together. I was of no importance, a lowly seaman apprentice,
but I knew what this man needed. Someone, who cared
enough to listen. I studied his eyes. I saw the pain, and
I felt his humiliation. Soul to soul, I knew what to do. I smiled.
A big, welcoming smile.
"Yes Sir! How can I help you?" Painfully.slowly.words,
tortured and slurred, escaped from his wired mouth.
I listened with all my heart, and I watched his eyes.
Dear God, help me to understand! I prayed. And I did
understand him, more than I can express. I gave him the
directions he needed, and his eyes smiled his thanks.
When he walked away, I called a friend at United Airlines,
who adopted him immediately, taking great care with his situation.
I thanked God for this opportunity to help a real hero.
However, I also knew I was in trouble. I looked at my Sergeant,
feeling anger rise in me, at her rudeness and total lack of sensitivity.
She stared at me, and she said, "I could put you on report."
Her eyes narrowed. Without thinking, I blurted out, "...and,
I could put YOU on report, Sergeant, for insubordination to
an officer!" My eyes spit fire, as I hurtled the stack of report
chits towards her. "Be my guest!" I said, as I grabbed my
purse. "I'll be on break." And I left.
I went on to supper, as I knew it would be a long night.
I was troubled, however, now that my "dander" was down,
at the thought of going to Captain's Mast, for my
insubordination to an NCO. I was certain it would be very unpleasant.
As I neared the United Airlines counter, I saw him again.
His luggage was being checked, and his back was towards
me. Then, as though someone had told him where I was, he
turned, and he looked at me. Our eyes met, for an eternity.
Then I smiled.
This soldier and hero, in the United States Marine Corps,
pulled himself up to his full height, and with all the military
perfection in his being, he gave me a sharp, military salute!
I was thrilled! WAVES did not salute indoors, especially,
when they were not wearing their cover (hat), but I pulled
myself to attention and returned that salute.
Moving on to the cafeteria, I walked a little taller, and I felt
more like a lady than I ever had before, in my whole life!
And...just a little bit...I felt like a hero.
______________________________________________________________
by Jaye Lewis
I only noticed him out of the corner of my eye. I knew he was
a Marine from the cut of his uniform, with its tightly pressed
military creases. Then I heard him, speaking low with a kind
of hiss. He was not speaking to me. He was speaking to my
Sergeant, who was the Non Commissioned Officer, in charge
of the Military Information Booth, at San Francisco
International Airport, where I served as a Navy WAVE,
during the Vietnam War.
I heard his tortured attempt to speak. "Hep nee, peesss!"
(Help me, please!) He struggled with every word. I was
grabbing my purse to take a much needed break, but I was
caught by his struggle to make himself understood. I could
hear the irritation in the sergeant's voice, as she demanded
that he "speak up!"
I paused, as he began again, "I-nee-to-change-ny-tickek!"
I understood every painful word he said. He needed to change
his ticket. What was wrong with my NCO? "I CAN'T understand
you!" She said, irritated. "Speak up!" How rude! I thought. I turned,
putting down my purse, and I looked at him, again beginning
his struggle to speak. And, no wonder. There stood a tall,
strong Marine Officer, perfect in his pristine uniform, missing
half his jaw! My God, I thought! What is she thinking?!
"Excuse me, Sir. I can help you." Without thinking, I shoved
my Sergeant aside and maneuvered my way in front of her.
I could see the man's teeth through the wire that held his face
together. I was of no importance, a lowly seaman apprentice,
but I knew what this man needed. Someone, who cared
enough to listen. I studied his eyes. I saw the pain, and
I felt his humiliation. Soul to soul, I knew what to do. I smiled.
A big, welcoming smile.
"Yes Sir! How can I help you?" Painfully.slowly.words,
tortured and slurred, escaped from his wired mouth.
I listened with all my heart, and I watched his eyes.
Dear God, help me to understand! I prayed. And I did
understand him, more than I can express. I gave him the
directions he needed, and his eyes smiled his thanks.
When he walked away, I called a friend at United Airlines,
who adopted him immediately, taking great care with his situation.
I thanked God for this opportunity to help a real hero.
However, I also knew I was in trouble. I looked at my Sergeant,
feeling anger rise in me, at her rudeness and total lack of sensitivity.
She stared at me, and she said, "I could put you on report."
Her eyes narrowed. Without thinking, I blurted out, "...and,
I could put YOU on report, Sergeant, for insubordination to
an officer!" My eyes spit fire, as I hurtled the stack of report
chits towards her. "Be my guest!" I said, as I grabbed my
purse. "I'll be on break." And I left.
I went on to supper, as I knew it would be a long night.
I was troubled, however, now that my "dander" was down,
at the thought of going to Captain's Mast, for my
insubordination to an NCO. I was certain it would be very unpleasant.
As I neared the United Airlines counter, I saw him again.
His luggage was being checked, and his back was towards
me. Then, as though someone had told him where I was, he
turned, and he looked at me. Our eyes met, for an eternity.
Then I smiled.
This soldier and hero, in the United States Marine Corps,
pulled himself up to his full height, and with all the military
perfection in his being, he gave me a sharp, military salute!
I was thrilled! WAVES did not salute indoors, especially,
when they were not wearing their cover (hat), but I pulled
myself to attention and returned that salute.
Moving on to the cafeteria, I walked a little taller, and I felt
more like a lady than I ever had before, in my whole life!
And...just a little bit...I felt like a hero.
______________________________________________________________
