By Michael Schindler

Heroes aren’t just found in comic books or on the movie screens. There are faceless heroes that walk among us every day – sometimes they know who they are, and sometimes they don’t. It could be that teacher who spoke a kind word to a student – the teacher never knowing the impact his/her words had; or it could be someone who jumped into action to save a life, never assuming the role of hero, but rather of a good Samaritan – and walking away knowing he made a difference.

Last Tuesday night, October 30, Iraq war veteran Nick McCallon and his wife Felicia were on their way to dinner when they witnessed a horrific car accident. Before the smoke had even settled, Nick and his wife jumped into action to help contain the situation – Nick performing combat life-saving techniques on the elderly woman who was involved and Felicia distracting the father whose 7-year-old son was killed instantly as a result of the accident.

After assessing the situation, Nick determined he couldn’t save the young boy, despite his efforts to perform CPR. But his training did help stabilize the elderly woman until medics arrived on the scene.

Nick, who is one of my team members at Operation Military Family, called me from the scene devastated that he couldn’t save the boy. We talked through this, knowing that this experience would leave a lifelong impression.  When we concluded our conversation, I ended the call saddened by what he experienced, but feeling pretty good that Nick would come through this experience stronger.

And then I got a text early the next morning. He and Felicia were at the hospital.

One never knows how traumatic events will impact a combat soldier.  Widespread perception is that most vets will go into some form of relapse – but every person is different. Each response is isolated to that veteran. Widespread perception is often wrong.
Nick sent me a text to inform me that he and his wife were the proud new parents of their son Nathan. The traumatic event they experienced several hours before brought Nathan into the world two weeks early – and they were overjoyed.

Death to life in 12 hours. Nick shared with me that what he experienced in that 12-hour period was “crazy.” But not unlike a combat zone.

This time he will go home each night knowing that those moments he experienced will only strengthen his desire to be a better dad to his own two sons.

Michael Schindler, Navy veteran, and president of Edmonds-based Operation Military Family, is a guest writer for several national publications, author of the book “Operation Military Family” and “The Military Wire” blog. He is also a popular keynote and workshop speaker who reaches thousands of service members and their families every year through workshops and seminars that include  “How to Battle-Ready Your Relationship” or “What Your Mother-in-Law Didn’t Tell You.”  He received the 2010 Outstanding Patriotic Service Award from the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs.