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Courage [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2025-05-21

Recently a memory pulled up on Facebook. It was a letter sent to my late brother Michael commending him for his service to the country and signed by President Obama.

Mike was a Vietnam veteran. He served two tours of duty as a chaplain's assistant. One day his camp was shelled by the Viet Cong. Mike carried two wounded soldiers on his shoulders to safety. He was awarded the Bronze Star but declined the Purple Heart even though he has been hit with shrapnel.

Mike never talked about Vietnam other than to say he loved the people. He talked about going to Washington DC to the Vietnam memorial but never went.

Vietnam destroyed him. He became a right wing fanatic. He turned to drink and eventually it killed him. I was left to emotionally support his only child and her three children.

Recently a man named Chris Arsenault died trying to save cats from a cat sanctuary that caught fire.

Being a hero can be dangerous. In real life people do little acts of courage. It was hard to put my stuff in storage to take care of my mother who never really liked me. It wasn't until the end of her life that she realized I had worth. I gave 12 years of my life taking care of my brother Reid who neglected his health and diabetes. I spent eight long hours holding his hand while he passed away because I promised him I wouldn't leave him.

Every day people do small acts of courage that are never acknowledged. I finished a poem with the line, "Sometimes when it rains the sky is crying." Courage can be like that. I teared up rereading that letter. There was no way I could save Mike. He was too broken inside. There was no way I could save Reid. He had destroyed his health with his neglect.

Reid's doctor once told him, "I don't think you realize what an angel she is." This angel is tired and worn out but I still try to make a difference. Sometimes courage is just making it out of bed.

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