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Soldiers who fight wars are not the only heroes around

Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2005

War is hell! No one knows that better than those caught in its midst.

This column is not about politics of war. It is about the brave men and women who have returned to this country, physically and mentally shattered, fighting a second battle to pick up the pieces of their lives. More than 2,300 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and more than 8,000 seriously wounded.

The Frederick Rotary Club heard first hand from two of these heroes, and from Cindy McGrew, the petite founder of an organization, Operation Second Chance, who is a ‘‘guardian angel” to them and hundreds of others recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Their presentation was emotional for the many professionals and business people in the room.

We heard from Staff Sgt. Robert Huegel, a 38-year-old member of a military police squad. He walked to the microphone on a prosthesis where the lower part of his left leg should have been.

He told us that he had wanted to end it all, ‘‘but then I met Cindy McGrew. She made me realize there were things out there that are important and to not give up.”

Today, Sgt. Huegel has a brightened outlook on life. He wishes to run again, even though he has been told that might not be possible. But he disregards the naysayers. He will not only run, but he will one day enter a marathon race, bet on it.

Specialist Bryant Jacobs, 24, hobbled to the front of the room on crutches. He has lost a large intestine, part of his right thigh, part of a finger and has a rod and screws in his right leg, his femur broken at the knee with major nerve damage. His buddy in the Army truck was killed. With Cindy McGrew’s assistance, he now views his injuries as ‘‘a way to come home early.” His hope is to one day throw away the crutches.

Slightly more than a year ago, McGrew began to read a Web site related to our troops in Iraq, and saw the names of three soldiers en route to Walter Reed. Living in Clarksburg, she sent e-mails to the families and offered her support and assistance. That began her dedication to bonding with the wounded and their families. Months later, Debbie and Alaina Sacramo and Sue Harrington joined her in daily visits to the hospital.

They picked up groceries, clothing and other items needed to make the wounded comfortable, even hamburgers, milkshakes and french fries. They met with the families and determined that playpens were needed for the younger children brought by wives visiting their wounded husbands. It enabled the mothers to tend to their husbands, while the children could play or nap safely.

But the greatest assistance they provided was to gain the confidence of those who were concerned about their future ability to provide for their families and themselves. Cindy and her assistants gave them hope.

They started a Boxes for Heroes campaign to prepare boxes filled with magazines and ‘‘goodies” for wounded soldiers and Marines. The effort became so large, the nonprofit Operation Second Chance was formed in March 2005. It is to aid in recovery and rehabilitation of the wounded, to modify housing to accommodate the disabled, to assist families and to facilitate transition of the wounded into the civilian society.

Those who wish to learn more about the organization can go to www.operationsecondchance.org. You will also learn more about that spirited mother of four, Cindy McGrew, the ‘‘guardian angel.”

She is a home-front hero helping the wounded heroes who have so bravely given so much to this nation.

Paul Gordon is a local historian, and was mayor of Frederick city from January 1990 to January 1994. His column appears weekly. You can reach him at prg202@adelphia.net. To send a letter to the editor in response to this column, e-mail frederick@gazette.net.