American Hero

                 By Christina Vincelli

I had the opportunity to meet Ron Young, Jr. on June 1, 2003.  He is the epitome of a true American Hero!  To think of the sacrifice he made by enlisting in the US Army a few years back makes me get chills all over.  Who knew that he would be engaged in a war against terror, in the middle of a shootout between "good and evil" forces?  I don't think we, as civilians could ever imagine what it's like, nor do we want to imagine it.

I was able to see a young man with his feet planted so firmly on the ground that nothing could bring him down.  He is a well adjusted young man, so bright and so full of humor, you would never have known that he was a POW in a war just two months earlier.  Incredible.  It's the only word I use to describe Ron Young, Jr.

I adopted Ron as my POW on March 24, 2003, the day the ARMY announced it, officially.  From the top of my head, after reading article after article trying to get to know my POW, here is what I remember:

He is based in Ft. Hood, Texas.  He is a member of the 1st Cavalry Division, 227th Aviation Battalion, 4th Brigade, Company C, (Vampires).  He is a CW2, (Chief Warrant Officer).  He is 26 yrs. old and single.  He was raised in Lithia Springs, GA. He is the son of Ron and Kaye Young.  He has two sisters, Kelly and Samantha, and two brothers, Mark and Jesse.  He is also a father of a little boy.

I wore a POW bracelet for Ron while he was in captivity.  I woke up every day, always "remembering" who he was and said a prayer each day and night for Ron and the other POWs, as well as all the soldiers serving our country. 

Please take a moment and really focus on this next section:

We have the luxuries of eating, drinking, driving to the mall to shop, toiletries, mattresses to sleep on nightly, televisions, etc.  Imagine wearing the same clothing for almost three weeks, making rice the main part of your daily diet, eating chicken that isn't thoroughly cooked, sleeping on the ground with no pillows, just a wool blanket.  Imagine the restriction of not being able to communicate with others in a foreign, hostile environment.  Imagine bombs dropping 10-20 ft. away from you all day and all night.  You can't possibly imagine what it's like.  You can only "think" you know what it's like from the TV images but you really have no idea. 

It's something Ron signed up to do.  "To defend his country."  And that is what he was doing.  Unfortunate circumstances arose, and he paid the price for doing what he has always wanted to do. 

But do not forget that he and all the other soldiers who are serving today, the ones who were killed in action, and the other POWs who suffered the same experience ALL did it for the United States of America.  Our country is unified, there is no doubt about that. 

After visiting the Young home in Lithia Springs, it is apparent that the strength Ron exhibits comes from the strength of that family.  They are kind, open, and gracious in every way imaginable.  They are blessed beyond comprehension and I believe that the return of their son is the proof of what type of people they truly are, appreciative and deserving.

As for Ron, Jr., he is an incredible young man.  He has a spirit unexplainable, an aura that could attract anyone, and an extremely strong head on his shoulders. 

On June 1, he removed the POW bracelet I had worn for him during his captivity.  I wouldn't take it off myself, because it meant so much more to me if Ron, the actual POW, himself, took it off. 

As I continue my journey of friendship with Ron, I realize that everything in life has a reason.  I am blessed to have Ron as my friend now.  He makes me laugh and his zest for maintaining normalcy is contagious.  I look at him and can't believe he is all right.  He really is all right.  After everything he went through, he is absolute living proof that if you have faith, and a strong desire to survive, you can do it. 

Take mental notes.  Learn it from a true American Hero. 

I have, and I am so proud to call Ron Young, Jr. my friend.

Please e-mail me if you liked my article!  Thank you.

Created by popular demand, you may now send an appreciation e-mail to Ron at the following address:  ronyoungjr_fanmail@yahoo.com

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