Veterans Day: Honored Reflections of Service, Sacrifice and Salvation

“I remember it getting dark, even though it was a bright day. I remember the darkness closing in. It’s amazing how clear everything becomes when you think your next breath could be your last.” – SSG Dale Beatty

On November 15, 2004, during his deployment in Iraq, SSG Dale Beatty, U.S. Army National Guard (Ret.), while on a routine clearing mission with U.S. Army engineers, was injured by an IED explosion. Since then, he has suffered through 26 surgeries and the eventual amputation of his left leg.

The Fisher House Foundation, founded and supported by Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher, provides cost-free housing for recovering veterans, Active Duty personnel and their families.

Because of Fisher House, after being discharged as an in-patient, SSG Beatty was able to go to therapy and then come “home” in the evenings; “Not to a hotel,” he said, “But come home to Fisher House.” Without Fisher House, SSG Beatty’s family probably would not have been able to stay by his side while he was receiving treatment.

Because of Fisher House, the family was able to stay together and support each other through the very difficult road to recovery.

Collocated with Veterans Administration medical facilities and on military bases, Fisher House Foundation makes it possible for families to stay together at a time when being apart could be the difference between making or breaking a wounded soldier.

SSG Beatty is a great example of someone who has found healing through support of his family. “Without Fisher House,” explains SSG Beatty, “I don’t know what my prognosis would have been. If I had had to stay alone, in a hotel for a year, who knows what would have happened?”

As the spouse of a wounded warrior, SSG Beatty’s wife Belinda explained that she didn’t know what she would have done had Fisher House not been available. She described the love she felt from Fisher House representatives, and also those family members who were going through some of the same things she was with their military loved one, as being life saving.

“I’ve seen a lot of charities do a lot of different things for the military, only really the Fisher House has that focus on the entire family,” said SSG Beatty.

SSG Beatty is just one of many examples of American Heroes who have paid dearly for their service with great personal sacrifice.

Will Reynolds, a retired captain for the U.S. army was injured in an IED explosion during his deployment in Iraq nearly 12 years ago. His injuries led to 26 surgeries and the eventual amputation of his left leg.

A collegiate athlete who competed in gymnastics at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Reynolds found comfort in sports during his recovery, particularly running, and competed in several Invictus Games, winning three bronze medals. Last year, his successes led him to becoming the co-captain of the 2016 U.S. Invictus Games team.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has stated that disabled veterans who participate in adaptive sports report benefits such as less stress, reduced dependency on pain and depression medication, fewer secondary medical conditions, higher achievement in education and employment, and more independence.

Competitions like the Invictus Games aid in holistic healing throughout the recovery and rehabilitation process of our soldiers: mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically and socially.

Invictus means ‘unconquered’. The games seek to embody the fighting spirit of the wounded, injured and sick military service members/veterans and what these tenacious men and women can achieve post injury.

During his rehabilitation, Reynolds spent time in a Fisher House, allowing him to devote his attention to recovery and have his family by his side. Will is a great example of someone who has found healing through sports. Both he and Dale are a testament to the statement that a family’s love is truly the best medicine.

With Fisher House, these brave and patriotic military personnel also received salvation.

Please watch this eight minute video of SSG Beatty’s story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGn4A9Wr5iM