“The Lord will strengthen His people and bless them with
peace." ~ Psalm 29:11
To say EOD (Explosive Ordinance
Disposal) Technicians are tough would be like saying Ironman competitors are
physically fit!
EOD Techs disarm explosive devices, neutralize chemical
threats, even defuse nuclear weapons.
The world’s ultimate Bomb Squad, they perform some of the most
harrowing, dangerous work to keep others from harm’s way.
Highly trained and with nerves of steel, EOD Techs sometimes
get a bad rap because they play a little fast and loose with grooming standards
and uniform regulations. But when and
where it counts, they’re true professionals.
Taylor Morris was one such
specialist. Having been hooked on
outdoor adventure at an early age, Taylor excelled at extreme water sports and
rock climbing. He developed great
composure underwater - a quality that would later make him a perfect candidate
for the Navy's EOD Team.
He remembers the explosion,
being tossed across the battlefield like a rag doll. Landing on his back, he realized with horrible
certainty, that all four limbs were gone.
Though bleeding to death, Morris
yelled to the oncoming medics NOT to come get him, putting their safety in
front of his own life. “It would only
have hurt me more if somebody stepped on another one," he later recalled.
The area was cleared by another
EOD and medics eventually administered casualty care. Morris remained alert throughout the ordeal. Three days later he began the long, painful
rehab process on U.S. soil. That’s when his
tenacity shifted to high gear.
More than 2.4 million Americans
have served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Of
those combat veterans, 1,400 have had amputations. Only four survived quadruple amputations; Morris
became the fifth. He was discharged from the hospital just two months after his
accident.
This story continued with even
happier moments. Three years later he
married his soulmate and high school sweetheart. Actor Gary Sinise brought his Lt. Dan Band to
their hometown to help raise money to build them an accessible “smart home.” Finishing his education is next on his list,
just behind competing in a 5k race.
For him and other wounded
warriors, life goes on after devastating injuries. And their home life presents a new kind of
battle, not fighting enemy combatants, but rather battling the scars and
injuries that war leaves behind.
Lord, we pray on the celebration
of our Country’s independence, for all those serving in our Armed Forces. Keep them strong, faithful and safe. Bless our Wounded Warriors; give them renewed
patience, courage, and Your healing grace. Wrap Your loving arms around our Gold Star
families, give them the peace and strength they need for each day without their
loved ones.
“Say a prayer for peace for every fallen son. Set my spirit free; let me lay down my
gun. Sweet Mother Mary I'm so tired, but
I can't come home 'til the last shot's fired.”
~ Trace Atkins, “Til the Last Shot’s Fired”
