I had a chance to talk to many veterans that day. And had the privilege to listen to their stories. This one story in particular I will never forget. It took place Saturday morning, north of the buildings in the pasture. This is where the covered wagon and security riders were camped. Marvin Baker, the covered wagon driver, and Rusty Aman, horse security patrol, were putting the harness on the team of horses, getting ready to hook up to the covered wagon. rusty and marvin noticed a veteran coming down the road to the pasture in a wheelchair. The veteran looked quite tired. At a distance the wheelchair veteran watched Marvin and Rusty hook up the team of horses. The veteran came a little closer and pointed out to Marvin that the tug on the left horse was twisted. marvin looked and sure enough the veteran was right. Marvin could see that the veteran was pretty exhausted from his trip down to the pasture. Marvin asked the veteran if he would like to ride back to the reenactment area. The veteran answered that he did not want to trouble or put them out. Marvin replied no problem and the veteran agreed. The veteran made one request, he said " Marvin you can say no if you want to, I will understand". Marvin said "I don't often say no". The veteran said "I want to drive the four horse hitch". Marvin and Rusty were both caught off guard at the request. Marvin said, "Rusty and I will put you in the driver's seat". To their surprise the veteran pretty much climbed up the front of the wagon to the seat with very little help. By the way, the veteran's name was Howard Corey, a 90 year old veteran living in the Malloy building. Marvin said that Howard had a smile from ear to ear as he drove the team up to the reenactment area until he was ready to get off. Marvin asked Howard if he had anything to to the rest of the day. Howard replied, "I don't have much of anything anymore". Marvin asked Howard to ride the covered wagon the rest of the day. Marvin said, "I think Howard came very much alive that afternoon".

I also had the opportunity to meet an extraordinary veteran - Mike Cosby who is the president of the resident council. Mike got this reenactment started. Mike is a veteran confined to a wheelchair. Her participated in the reenactment at the flag ceremony. Mike gave the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

I and two other reenactors had the privilege to meet Larry Box, veteran in the Dack building who suffers from agent orange. Larry was very cheerful and glad to see us. The photographer for the Army of the Southwest took photos of Larry and his family. larry, Howard, Mike are just three of the reasons for this reenactment.

I also had the distinct honor to walk through the Veteran's wheelchair formation and shake their hands, the real heroes. There were approximately 240 to 250 veterans watching the reenactment on a beautiful Saturday in July 2007.

Sergeant Major Monte Aman
Army of the Southwest