In honor of Veterans Day, I want to share a story about a special U.S. Army captain. In the early seventies, I was part of a marketing team that was tasked with finding new industrial applications for 3M Company’s Scotchlite® reflective fabrics and tapes. My area of concentration was the U.S. military. One sales inquiry took to me to Fort Rucker Alabama, where I called on Captain Charles Knowlin, Director of Safety— one of the most amazing men I ever met.
The captain wasn’t in his office when I arrived. As I waited for his return, I noticed memorabilia from the captain’s service in Viet Nam. After a few minutes, the Captain entered through the door behind me. I turned and had to catch my breath. The man standing in front of me had been severely disfigured by burns to his face and hands.
Before I could say anything, Captain Knowlen smiled and said, “Don’t be embarrassed. Most people are shocked the first time they meet ‘The Crispy Critter!’”
Chuck, as he asked me to call him, shared his story with me. During a tour as a helicopter pilot in Viet Nam, his aircraft came under enemy fire and crashed. He was able to escape the burning craft, but when he saw his crew chief trapped in the helicopter, he ran back to help him. The aircraft exploded; a fireball enveloped the captain.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13
Captain Knowlen had been willing to risk his life for a friend, but his life would never be the same. After being rescued by the crew of another helicopter, Chuck was transported back to his unit. After receiving emergency care at a MASH unit, he was returned to the states where he underwent an extensive series of surgeries.
“After my recovery,” Captain Knowlen explained, “the Army was ready to give me a medical discharge. I refused. It was in the Army I received my injuries; it was in the Army I intended to continue to serve.”
Looking back on his experience, I am reminded of the words from Ephesians 6:7: Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.
Captain Knowlen became the Safety Officer at Fort Rucker, and his experience led to the development of improved helmets and gloves for helicopter crews. I am pleased to tell you that one of the nurses who had helped Chuck during his recovery fell in love with him. They married and had children.
A lot of good men and women served during the Vietnam War. Many returned to an ungrateful nation. Their sacrifice was great. During the Viet Nam War, 2,165 pilots and 2,112 crew members were killed. The total number of combat deaths was 58, 209. Countless others were wounded or suffered what is now called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
On election day, I was leaving a local restaurant when I happened to notice an Asian gentleman wearing an “I voted” sticker. I thanked him for voting.
“Are you a veteran?” he asked.
“Yes, I am,” I responded. (U.S.M.C.1964-67 – Stateside deployments)
“Then let me thank you for your service. I am Vietnamese,” he said, with a look that showed how thankful he is for the freedom he enjoys in America.”
This Veteran’s Day, I encourage you to thank God for the freedom we have in America. And while you are at it, thank a Vet.
Blessings,
Don & Bonnie Sennott
Graphic courtesy of myedmondsnews.com
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