Commentary: Wounded Warrior Offers Real Story

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES

09.01.2009

Courtesy Story

Defense.gov         

Two days ago, I and six other reporters accompanied Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to Texas to see two high-tech operations under way: the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter Lockheed Martin is building in Fort Worth, and the retrofitting of the MC-12 Liberty turboprop at the L3 Communications plant in Greenville.

Both efforts have important military implications. The F-35 is a revolutionary next-generation fighter aircraft that the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, as well as eight partner nations, will share. The MC-12 is being outfitted with state-of-the-art gear – 41,000 pieces of it, to be exact – and already is delivering new intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in Iraq. It soon will do the same for warfighters in Afghanistan as more come off the line.

Getting to see both operations firsthand was impressive, to say the least. It was gratifying to see the energy, and frankly, the money, being poured into programs that directly support our troops on the front lines.

But almost 48 hours after the return flight to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., these stops aren’t the ones lingering in my mind.

What replays over and over in my head, and that I find myself sharing with just about everyone I talk with, is the third stop on the Texas trip, where Gates helped to present a wounded warrior with keys to a brand new, all-expenses-paid house near Houston.

Only two other Pentagon reporters and I opted to cover that stop, which most of us hadn’t known about until just days before the trip.

The two factory visits, which included a news conference at the Lockheed Martin plant, had delivered solid, hard-news stories about the F-35, the MC-12 and the situation on Afghanistan that couldn’t wait. Editors wanted their stories. Time was of the essence. That’s how the news business works.

Yet that additional side trip to Cypress, just outside Houston, yielded what to me was the most eye-opening and inspiring story of the day, maybe of the year.

A community came together and raised enough money to buy a brand-new, 3,300-square-foot home for a severely wounded Marine captain and his family. They presented it with no strings attached, calling him a hero and telling him it was part of the debt they owed him for his sacrifices and service.

I admit I’m a bit of a sap. But our motorcade approached the house, I was moved by the outpouring of genuine support. Hundreds of wildly cheering people lined the street and the sidewalk leading up to the front door: Boy Scouts in uniforms, schoolchildren hoisting hand-painted banners, neighbors holding American flags, Marines in their dress blues.

The house itself was packed with well-wishers crammed into every nook and cranny, all focused on a makeshift podium set up in the middle of the living room.

The luminaries made their speeches. Before Secretary Gates spoke, the onlookers heard from Houston Astros legend Craig Biggio, Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurt, U.S. Rep Todd Tiahrt from Kansas, and Meredith Iler, national chairwoman for the Helping a Hero organization that made the donation possible.

But it was Capt. Dan Moran, the medically retired Marine they were honoring, who left the group spellbound.

Moran has sacrificed a lot since an enemy attack left him with excruciating third-degree burns over his body, a fractured vertebra and mild traumatic brain injury. He’s undergone more than 30 surgeries and spent two and a half years recovering at the burn center at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.

To this day, he can’t control his body temperature and has to stay in a 68-degree environment. He can’t go outside in the sunshine, where his body will overheat and his burns will fester. His face is red and swollen, a testament to his wounds.

But as he stood at the podium in his new living room, he harbored no anger, no blame, no sense of being owed something.

“What do I say to people who have given me so much?” he asked. “Words don’t do justice. So let me tell you right now. It is going to be the way that I live my life. And the way I am going to live my life is by honor, courage and commitment.”

At this point, a tear started rolling down my cheek. Bad form for a reporter, even one who works for the Defense Department. But then another tear followed. I felt self-conscious -- until I saw tears rolling down the faces of many others crowding the room. How could anyone not feel the raw emotion of this?

“You can rest assured,” Moran continued. “You made an investment in me and other wounded warriors, and I promise you, you will get a return on your investment in me. … This is how I am going to pay you back: by how I live my life and the impact I will have.”

I looked across the room at Secretary Gates, and it was obvious that he, too, had been touched by the captain. Flying on the plane back to Washington, Gates told reporters that he had jokingly told Moran, “Remind me to never speak after you.”

Moran would have been a tough act for anyone to follow.

As I reflect on the Texas trip, I feel edified by the experience. I’m further amazed at the technology that goes into making our warfighters the world’s best. I’m impressed by the American industrial base – where workers I met expressed genuine pride in the fact that their everyday work is saving lives on the battlefield.

But the image I can’t shake is of Captain Moran at that podium, so eloquently expressing humble thanks and committing himself to a life of example and service.

That’s a news story.

(Donna Miles can be reached for comment at [e-mail].)

READER FEEDBACK

Editor’s Note: Writers’ identities have been removed to protect their privacy.

Ms. Miles: Thank You, so much for relating this story! I don't know what
else to say but Captain Moran is my hero. Kindest Regards -- Private
citizen

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Dear Donna,

I just read your article, "Wounded Marine's Story is one of Truly Selfless Service." Donna, it's the best news story I've read all year, bar none! It captures the true essence of everything that’s best in America! And forgive me for keeping this just between you and me, because it's hard for a former military man to admit this -- I had to wipe away tears, too -- and I wasn't even there! LOL! Thank you so much for sharing this story! It's inspired me to act, to help vets, if I can. (I'm just a hillbilly from southwest Missouri. But I'll try.)

I care for someone, a civilian, who is disabled plus we are interactive with several other disabled civilians, many who have similar problems to overcome every day, so I've got an idea of what Captain Moran faces. But no one really understands unless he's walking in those shoes.

Is it possible to have my local newspaper, the Springfield News-Leader, reprint your article? I think the people of my community would be overjoyed to hear this kind of news!

God bless you, Donna! Thank you for making my year! With very much gratitude… Veteran

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Donna, you gotta stop making me cry. My co-workers just don’t understand. Defense Department employee
Hi Donna, Just read this. You’ve almost got me tearing up reading your account. Great story. Good for you for writing it. – National radio correspondent

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Bravo zulu.....nice piece on Dan Moran, Donna. Cheers. -- National magazine reporter

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Ms. Miles, I work with the military at Wright-Patterson nearly every day and I see the dedication, professionalism and commitment made by these wonderful, educated people. But still I need to thank-you both for going to the event, and for reporting the story; we (even I do) forget, all too often, that there are thousands of human stories behind ever soldier. Your story of Captain Moran made it very personal – as it should be – he was in Afghanistan so I could be here….Cheers. -- Defense contractor

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Donna, Thank you so much for capturing the real story--the one about our people, both those who serve in the our military and those who love them. Marines like Capt. Dan Moran are our Nation's real treasures--and so are his neighbors. – Navy rear admiral

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Ms Miles, Thank you for your recent AFP commentary. We need more like Capt
(Ret) Moran who embody the warrior spirit and live out the ideals of tireless sacrifice and selfless service. Your piece captured the essence of the gratitude we forever owe these soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines. – Air Force major

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Job well done on the Capt. Dan Moran story and commentary. Thanks! -- Private citizen

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Mrs. Miles, I want to thank you for sitting down to your computer and writing a story with such humanity and dignity. I must admit to you that I am a very humble and sensitive person myself. When I saw the movie "Taking Chance" I cried like a baby. Regardless of your politics Wounded Warriors deserve a special place in our society. For once the fanfare has concluded they settle into a life of dealing with their injuries as any other person would do with any type of illness.

I spent 2 tours in Vietnam, Naval Aviator on board the USS AMERICA. I am so proud of these current veterans, and glad that they have received the welcome home that we never did. I remember when I came home taking some graduate classes here in Kentucky, a professor asked the class one day and understand that I am probably the old man of the class at 26. Do we have any Vietnam Veterans in the class (1970), Proud I was, having just returned home, my hand shot very quickly up into the air, then the Prof asked me to come to the front of the room which I gladly did, thinking I was going to get a round of applause. Much to my surprise he said Mr. Richardson would you know apologize to this class and everyone for your participation in that action. I was absolutely devastated and humiliated.
Thank you again for telling this story, sometimes things need placing into perspective. Smooth Sailin' – Veteran

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Excellent report, Donna, and thanks! I sure hope this makes national coverage and I will be sending your article to everyone I know - well done! – Defense Department official

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Ma'am, I just finished reading your news story, "Commentary: Wounded Warrior Offers Real Story". Excellent piece, I will pass it to my non-military friends who may not see.

In the sixth paragraph of your piece, you write that only two other
reporters chose to go on the stop. As a service member, that is a story as
well. Too bad. Once again, why many media outlets get a bad name. And yet they
wonder why...

Keep up the great work. Carry a good box of Kleenex. Travel size, of
course! – Marine master gunnery sergeant

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Thanks for the story. I have a son in law serving in the zone at this time. I proudly served our great country as a member of the Air Force for more than 25 years. This type of story should be told time and time again. Thanks again. – Air Force retiree

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Nice commentary. – Joint Staff employee

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Ms. Miles, Thank you for covering and reporting the real news on the Texas trip. Your report was inspiring and heartfelt and I sincerely appreciate it. – Marine Corps civilian employee

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Dear Ma'am,
I was forwarded the article you wrote on Capt. Moran for yesterday's
American Forces Press Service. Thank you for bringing exposure to those who
have sacrificed much of their lives for our nation. Though I am part of the
Wounded Warrior Regiment myself, I have been "fortunate" not to have been
wounded in combat.

What caught part of my attention in your article, however, is that it seems that this exposure to a wounded veteran has awakened you to a reality that has existed for eight years now, and has affected over 9,000 Marines (plus however many thousands of soldiers). This in turn, makes me wonder how many other Americans have not yet awakened to the reality of these folks.

Don't get me wrong. I am grateful that you have, and I am even more grateful that folks in the media like yourself are not forgetting about those still serving in combat zones and still coming home with wounds 8 months after the American people voted for "change"--which, we were told, was largely about Americans serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, but which is apparently more complicated in coming than so easily promised.

It is my hope that more Americans will get outside the cocoon of their lives
long enough to truly understand what is being sacrificed for them so they
can live their lives as they please. Articles like yours may help. Keep them
coming. Thanks. – Marine Corps Reserve major

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Donna, I too am a Service Disabled Veteran and a Marine. Thanks for the Great story about Captain Moran, there are hundreds if not thousands more stories just like Capt. Moran’s out there just know one to bring them to light.

SAEPE EXPERTUS, SEMPER FIDELIS, FRATER INFINITAS (Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever) – Disabled Marine veteran

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Ma'am, Thank you for your wonderful article! This is not only inspiring to
the DoD employees, but every American in our great country. Please continue
your great work and tell the story of the US military. Thanx! – Defense Department employee and retired command master sergeant

Story by Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service

• Date Taken: 09.01.2009
• Date Posted: 07.03.2025 17:26
• Story ID: 517939
• Location: WASHINGTON, US