8.22.2011

Wounded war hero marries injured comrades sister meeting hospital

A soldier injured in Afghanistan met his future wife as she visited her brother in hospital after he was hurt in the same gun battle.
Kingsman Harrison Greaves, 19, was wounded by gunfire when his platoon came under attack in Helmand province in May last year.
He suffered from injuries to his left arm but did not notice he had been hit and continued to fight for another 20 minutes.
His future brother-in-law Corporal Chris McInerney, 24, was shot minutes later in the same fire-fight.
Harrison Greaves proposed to his future wife a year to the day that he was shot
Harrison Greaves proposed to his future wife a year to the day that he was injured by the Taliban
It was when his sister Atonia Ifould, 21, came to visit him at Selly Oak Military Hospital in Birmingham that she met Mr Greaves.
 
'We went in to see Chris and I heard Harrison complaining about his earphones not working,' she explained.
'I saw him and I thought, "ooh he's alright". They were shot on the same day. They were in the same regiment but didn't really know each other before.
'They were injured in the same battle and were on the same helicopter out.'
She asked her brother about Mr Greaves, who was in the bed opposite, and discovered he helped wheel her brother into hospital.
Mr Greaves suffered from injuries to his left arm but did not notice he had been hit and continued to fight for another 20 minutes.
Mr Greaves suffered from injuries to his left arm but did not notice he had been hit and continued to fight for another 20 minutes.
She took a note of his name before contacting him on Facebook once she got home.
The care worker sent him a message praising his bravery and they started emailing and sending text messages to one another before arranging a first date two weeks later when he was discharged.
She said: 'I'm really happy now. Harrison and I think it's fate that he got shot because it allowed him to meet me.'
The pair tied the knot at a hotel in Darwen, Lancashire, and are planning their honeymoon before moving in together at Mr Greaves's UK military base.
Mrs Greaves wore a flowing white gown, with pink bridesmaids in tow, and Harrison, who has served in Canada and Cyprus, wore his military uniform for the civil ceremony in a Lancashire hotel.

She added: 'I'm excited to spend the rest of my life with him.'

Anorther Group Returns Home

http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/news-nouvelles/story-reportage-eng.asp?id=5352

7.29.2011

Memories

 (this story was sent to me by my Aunt through email - I thought I'd share it with the rest of you, enjoy)

Memories


Richard, my husband, never really talked a lot about his time in Viet Nam, other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.
A few years ago, Ann Margret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing.
When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot, and disappeared behind a parking garage. Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted.
Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home. Ann Margret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as second in line, it was soon Richard's turn.
He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, "I understand. I just wanted her to see it."
She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, "This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for 'my gentlemen."
With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he were the only one there.
Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk about it, my big, strong husband broke down in tears... "That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army." he said.
That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet. I'll never forget Ann Margret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband.
I now make it a point to say 'Thank you' to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces. Freedom does not come cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country.
Author Unknown
Note: I have searched to find out if this story is true, and every indication, including a response from Ann Margret's representatives state that yes, this is a true story. Unfortunately I cannot confirm with certainty who the author is.