Did you hear about Tough-as-nails Vietnam veteran giving a kidney to save his war buddy's life?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 09:16:30 -0500

http://www.today.com/kindness/tough-nails-vietnam-veteran-gives-kidney-save-his-war-buddys-t57316

Did you hear about Tough-as-nails Vietnam veteran giving a kidney to save his war buddy's life? (Click the link above for the full story)

Good news story about what it really means to bond with a fellow veteran for life!

RP Members do you hold that bond with a fellow veteran and would you make this type of sacrifice? Think hard and search deep!

They say the bonds you make with your fellow soldiers in war last a lifetime — and John Middaugh and Henry "Bill" Warner know about that bond all too well.

Their friendship began in March 1968 at Fort Carson, Colorado, and is still going strong today.

So strong that when Warner's kidneys failed after he had open heart surgery, Middaugh stepped in to donate his kidney to his beloved Vietnam buddy.

Tough-as-nails Vietnam vet puts life on the line to donate kidney to old war buddy

"I can't think of a better person to have given such a gift to than Bill. We are now connected in more ways than one."

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2015 9:27 AM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 09:27:32 -0500

Awesome Story. Thanks COL Mikel J. Burroughs

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2015 9:34 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 09:34:52 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, It wouldn't even have to be a friend. It could be an acquaintance I met here on RP. If I knew of a veteran needing a kidney in order to live, if mine was accepted, I would gladly do it. My kidneys wouldn't pass because I have kidney stones growing in them, but if they were ok, I would. It bothers me that I can't donate any body parts. Heart attack, kidney stones, eye lenses implants, etc.

Response by SSG Kelly Ferguson made Nov 21 at 2015 11:33 AM

SSG Kelly Ferguson — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 11:33:51 -0500

Now that's a battle buddy

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 21 at 2015 11:49 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 11:49:28 -0500

No COL Mikel J. Burroughs I did not hear about tough-as-nails Vietnam veteran giving a kidney to save his war buddy's life. I am not surprised that John Middaugh jumped at the chance to save his friend Henry "Bill" Warner's life by donating his own kidney. I am glad they were a match.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Nov 21 at 2015 12:11 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 12:11:13 -0500

Phenomenal story, thanks for posting.

Response by MAJ Hugh Blanchard made Nov 21 at 2015 12:46 PM

MAJ Hugh Blanchard — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 12:46:02 -0500

Now that is really love....giving a kidney to save a friend. "Greater love hath no man than this, to lay down one's life for a friend..."

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2015 5:16 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 17:16:39 -0500

Bonds forged in battle run deep.
That is a solid man, right there.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Nov 21 at 2015 8:45 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 20:45:00 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, my friend, CPT(ret) Gary Waters and current mayor of Pelham, AL gave a kidney to his childhood and lifelong friend.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 28 at 2017 1:55 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 13:55:30 -0400

Now that is one heck of a great friendship. I have some that I would donate a pint of blood to if it was needed real bad.

Response by CPO Robert (Mac) McGovern made Apr 28 at 2017 2:14 PM

CPO Robert (Mac) McGovern — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 14:14:01 -0400

He is an inspiration to all and a true American hero. Sir, I salute you.

Response by SFC William H. made Apr 28 at 2017 2:24 PM

SFC William H. — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 14:24:57 -0400

Posts like this one affect me deeply but I never know what to say. Just seems like it would not be good enough. It seems fitting that he has a picture of his battle buddy on his phone! I like that.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Apr 28 at 2017 2:36 PM

Maj Marty Hogan — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 14:36:17 -0400

I had not Col- but sure am glad you tagged me. Great read- just no words.

Response by MSG Mark Million made Apr 28 at 2017 2:58 PM

MSG Mark Million — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 14:58:33 -0400

It sometimes takes being family to get the help we need. Good thing the military is a very large family.

Response by SPC Douglas Bolton made Apr 28 at 2017 3:12 PM

SPC Douglas Bolton — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 15:12:51 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs I can think of many veteran friends I could do that for including yourself. We are one.

Response by SGT Michael Thorin made Apr 28 at 2017 3:26 PM

SGT Michael Thorin — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 15:26:02 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, 2 that I would do for sure, my driver SPC James Korges and my gunner SPC Matt Williams.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2017 3:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 15:37:37 -0400

Truly awesome.

Response by LCpl Donald Faucett made Apr 28 at 2017 4:00 PM

LCpl Donald Faucett — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 16:00:10 -0400

It is a brotherhood which no civilian would ever know. In all branches many have give their lives to save their brother.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2017 5:47 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 17:47:05 -0400

God Bless!

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2017 6:05 PM

Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 18:05:56 -0400

Semper Fi ! I know that I personally would have taken a 'round' for any of the people with which I was serving !!!

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Apr 28 at 2017 6:17 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 18:17:04 -0400

Missed this when it first came out, would like to know how they are both doing today.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2017 7:15 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 19:15:18 -0400

Family is...well family. Touching story and sacrifice.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2017 7:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 19:30:52 -0400

They're not made like that anymore!!

Response by MSgt Carl Stokes made Apr 28 at 2017 9:10 PM

MSgt Carl Stokes — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 21:10:50 -0400

If you where truly in a shitty spot in service you built a bound with those around you that transends time. Out of true suffering grows great brotherhood.

Response by PO2 Kayla Modschiedler made Apr 28 at 2017 11:18 PM

PO2 Kayla Modschiedler — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 23:18:56 -0400

Vietnam veterans are the new greatest generation, those guys and gals rock!!! Whenever I left for deployment or came back there were always Vietnam vets to see us off and welcome us home. My family lived on the other side of the country but those folks made sure we knew we fought the good fight and wouldn't be left out in the cold like they were. Thanks guys!!!

Response by SPC Tom Clark made Apr 28 at 2017 11:41 PM

SPC Tom Clark — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 23:41:51 -0400

Awesome!!!

Response by Cpl Gabriel F. made Apr 29 at 2017 12:39 AM

Cpl Gabriel F. — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 00:39:29 -0400

Give of yourself up to and including your life to save life is the definition of heroism. This act of bravery saved his Veteran Brother's life. Prayer for true Brother's in arms.

Response by SGT Ron Murphy made Apr 29 at 2017 1:51 AM

SGT Ron Murphy — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 01:51:55 -0400

Great Story! God Bless them booth! Respect!

Response by SSgt Robert Marx made Apr 29 at 2017 12:09 PM

SSgt Robert Marx — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 12:09:06 -0400

Outstanding story and thanks for sharing COL Mikel J. Burroughs ! It does brighten the day and lightens the load to consider the many people who do have our backs. Sharing a kidney shows the greatest of empathy and love for a brother.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Apr 29 at 2017 1:35 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 13:35:17 -0400

Great Post Colonel! What a feel good noble gesture! I offered my friend, a Vietnam Vet, a Navy SEAL, a kidney but we were not compatible. He did finally get a kidney from one of his sisters.

Response by CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw made Apr 29 at 2017 5:47 PM

CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 17:47:00 -0400

Awesome!!! Brothers and Sisters for Life and in Life!!!

Response by TSgt George Rodriguez made Apr 29 at 2017 8:12 PM

TSgt George Rodriguez — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 20:12:25 -0400

They are better then buddies. They may not have the same parents, but the are still brothers. Many service members have bonds to each other that are better then blood related relatives.

Response by 1LT J Neil Jednoralski made May 5 at 2017 1:00 AM

1LT J Neil Jednoralski — Fri, 05 May 2017 01:00:24 -0400

Up to May 2015 and my Kidney Failure in April 2014, I was 60% Service Connected Kidney Damage from 'Agent Orange' in Vietnam. After Kidney Failure, VA said my Kidneys are okay and removed ALL 60% Service Connected Kidney Damage. Now I am seeing a Kidney Specialist at the Wichita, KS, VA Hospital. Earlier this year my Kidney Function was 17%. It is now about 31%. The Knee Surgery in Wichita says he will NOT do surgery on my knees because of my kidney function. Surgery could possible shut down the kidneys. So I guest I live with my two bad knees, and NO Comp for my Kidney Damage. I had a phone exam, which I caught on my My Health Vet Appointments, after the fact. My appointment list said phone exam kept and completed. I never know of a phone exam and never recorded a call on my phone ID, What is VA trying to pull? or is a VA PA saying she has done work that she has not? My Primary VA doctor, the Kidney Specialist, and the Leavenworth VA Hospital does NOT UNDER STAND why VA removed the 60% Service Connected Kidney Damage without running the tests that the Kidney Specialist has run, including a scan of the kidneys and a determination of Kidney Disease. I am getting sick of appealing the decisions. I see why Veterans commit SUICIDE !!!