They were simply two soldiers following orders. One Marine was told to check the tire pressure on all of the transport trucks, the other was told to drive one of the trucks somewhere else to begin loading. Neither man knew of the others activities, until it was too late. The base's parking area was filled with large diesel trucks, all running, getting ready to take to the field. The noise was deafening, adding to the confusion. It came as no surprise that the soldier checking the tire pressure never heard the other one enter the drivers side of one of the trucks. Within a matter of seconds both lives were forever changed. The body of the man checking the tire pressure was smashed beneath the weight of the five and a half ton transport vehicle. It would become an accident which had drastic, yet (miraculously) not fatal effects on either of these men.
The recovery period was long and hard for Gary, yet at second glance I'd suggest it's still on-going. Though the accident that ended his military career, (and almost his life) occurred nearly 35 years ago in many ways it's left wounds that are still fresh today. God placed Gary in my pathway a few weeks ago and it was like running upon a deer in the headlights. Now 54 years old, Gary shows definite signs of mental instability, and some lingering physical disabilities. For a man that was ran over by a five and half ton military transport truck, he's doing okay, after all he's still alive!
Gary's only source of income is a $123 check he gets through the Veterans Administration. That's right, $123 per MONTH. Both his wife and father passed away last year, leaving Gary all alone, which would be like dropping off your thirteen year old to fend for themselves in New York City. With nowhere to live after his wife died and her income disappeared, his only choice was to move onto his father's property which was still held in probate.
When I found him he was living in a house that is in dire need of structural repair, with no electricity, and only cold running water. At some point he had taken up the carpet in the living room and moved a wood burning stove in. He handmade a stove pipe from a roll of 12” wide sheet-metal and stuck it through the living room window and across the porch. There's almost as much smoke going into the house as there was out, but at least he had some form of heat. The air inside his house was hard to breath, but it was warm. He's cut down most of the trees in his front yard for firewood already and the day I first visited him the temperature got down to fifteen degrees that night. He was down to burning small limbs and pine needles that night.
He was cooking what little food he had on top of the wood burning stove, and used his car battery and a power converter to give him light at night. The problem was that it ran his battery down every night and he had to get a boost in the mornings by anyone willing to lend him a hand. A table-top propane camping stove and my deep cycle boat battery was what we needed to get him by temporarily in these areas. Some things are easier to fix than others I found out.
Five minutes around Gary, and you simply can't stop yourself from loving him. He has a child-like nature and is amazed at things you and I take for granite everyday. He loves Dale's homemade vegetable soup so much that he literally ate a gallon of it the first two days he had the propane cooker. He thoroughly enjoyed shopping at the dollar store with me, as it might as well been the biggest and fanciest mall in the state. I enjoyed it to, as that's when I found out he washes his dishes, his clothes, himself, and his cats with liquid dish washing detergent. Never would've guessed that one! We got him the biggest bottle they had for about two dollars, and I suspect if the makers of it knew it's versatility they would up the price and give it a fancier name. Just as importantly we got him some badly needed paper products, (ie, TP) and a case of orange drinks which he likes better than water he says. Being around him is a lot like being around Forrest Gump, without the entertaining deep southern accent I suppose.
I was surprised to find out that Gary regularly attended a local church, and even more surprised to find that no one from his church had ever come out to visit with him. He told me that he had offered to work at the church, or at the pastor's side business, yet he was told they simply didn't need any help right now. He has a true desire to earn his way through life I've found. When I spoke to one of the guys that goes to his church, he said, (and I'm quoting him word for word here) I reckon they'd take up a love offering for him if he asked them to. I wasn't rightly sure as to how to properly respond, so I didn't, but I sure wanted to!
As far as his employment history goes, up to four years ago he worked at an animal hospital here in town, as Gary truly loves animals. About four years ago when his wife had a stroke he had to quit his job as she was unable to care for herself. Since then the animal hospital tells him they don't have a place to put him if they were to hire him back, so he just stays at home and takes care of the cats his wife loved so much. I think for Gary, the cats represent all he has left of his wife. The suggestion of getting rid of them is simply out of the question. So we bought some cat food while we were out one day, and this made him really happy. My wife and I were both surprised to find out that no one had ever talked to him about the possibility of applying for disability income through the federal government. She's already started the process and we're praying that he'll get some assistance, as he truly is one of those that needs it.
Getting him some firewood was my next major chore. I paid a fella (that seemed nice enough to help out when I explained Gary's circumstances) for two truckloads, and even went as far as to pay him extra to deliver it. I was upset to see when I came back that he had delivered Gary less than one and a half loads. Not answering the phone, I left the guy a voice-mail telling him how sad it was to find someone that would rip off a person in Gary's situation. Sometimes it's hard responding to certain "unjust" situations in a Christ-like manner. The fleshly Doug wants to take care of things himself, up close and personal, if you know what I mean. I know I shouldn't be surprised when people of the world act like people of the world, but it really gets to me sometimes, you know.
The next item on the agenda was to visit the power company to see what it would take to get electricity ran to the house. This was not as simple of a task as one might think! After several days of getting everything taken care of and talking to all the right people, etc, the decision was made that they would set a new pole and run a power line to the property. I politely asked the woman in the Engineering Department if there was any way to get it done as soon as possible since this man was living without electricity and the temperatures had been below freezing for nearly a week now. Best they can do is get it done within the next two weeks, was the answer I received. When I pushed the issue a bit by explaining that I had already paid all of the expenses upfront, she plainly told me that this is the holiday season and there isn't anything that can be done about it.
Let's see...... office parties, gift exchanging, joyous celebrations, and a relaxed work schedule throughout the holidays, and folks on vacation – versus - a mentally-challenged, disabled man living in a house with no electricity in the middle of winter. Hum...... Did I mention I have a hard time with these types of situations. My big ol' head just about explodes when I hear some of the things that come from the mouths of the unconcerned. Reminds me of a church choir trying to drown out the desperate cries from a train. Anyway, enough with my issues....moving on,
Late yesterday afternoon I went by Gary's to swap out the batteries I've been charging for him so he wouldn't run down the one in his old pickup truck, and lo and behold, as I turned the corner onto the old country road where he lives there was a bright glow from a light-bulb coming from his place. He was like a kid on Christmas morning and I was so excited I couldn't help but cry. Once we got a few breakers turned on, and bulbs changed out, the house that had not had electricity for years was once again lit up. We got one stove eye to work, the refrigerator started, and for the first time in nearly a year he'll be able to take a warm shower while using his green dish washing detergent. It took me forever to get out of there last night as he wanted to show me everything he owned that worked on electricity. What an exciting time for him!
Later on Dale and I went to dinner, then drove around to look at some of the most beautifully decorated homes and property I've ever seen. All lit up for the Christmas season - there's just something very special about living in a small town this time of year. As I laid awake last night recounting all that had gone on that day, I smiled knowing how happy Gary was to have lights, one stove eye, and a refrigerator that works. The thought came to me just before I shut my eyes, that there was absolutely no more beautiful Christmas lights in our city, than that single white porch light at Gary's house this night.
I thank God, he placed Gary in my pathway. His body and life may have been shattered beneath the weight of a military transport truck at one point, but he's never given up, he's never stopped believing in God, and he's never allowed himself to feel like a victim of anything, or anybody. I've never heard him complain a single time about his circumstances, or anything, or anybody. He seems very grateful for everything God has given him, and has no desire to have anything else. He'll tell you he loves God and God loves him.
Gary willingly talks about the church and how badly he needs it, yet I wonder if the church knows how badly they need more folks just like Gary? He may not understand the first thing about theology or doctrine, but he knows that through Jesus, God has saved him. Long story short, Gary's my kind of Christian, he keeps it simple. He's the kind of Christian I aspire to be someday! As I finish this story up tonight I can't help but wonder whatever happened to the other Marine?
In a few days there's another story to come about a woman (another of my new friends) with a very different set of circumstances. Between now and then, I ask that you take a look around your own little world to see if there's a Gary living near you that could use a new friend. It ain't a matter of praying to see if God is calling you do this, for Jesus said to over, and over, and over. It's just a matter if you're willing? There's a train sitting outside our window, what are we going to do? Doug
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