A Letter To Connecticut Friends- A Story Of Nearly Losing A Son…

[Richard Allan Jenni]

Sandy, Carmen and family-

Thanks for writing, and thanks again for always being so kind to my family. Thanks also for being part of our extended "beach family" at Plymouth Place.

 

Yesterday morning our son Heath was on his way to work in Utah- riding his scooter to Fort Williams. On a hill less than a mile from the gate, his little scooter had trouble making the grade, and he had to pull out of traffic onto the shoulder. As Heath was looking back to reenter traffic, he never saw the parked car just beyond the crest of the hill. Heath and his glorified bicycle helmet struck the rear window and shattered it. Over the car he went- never having hit his brakes at 35 MPH or so.

Two paramedics and a doctor "happened" to come upon the scene within a minute or two and prepared Heath for medivac. Their immediate medical attention was instrumental in preserving Heath’s life. When we received word of the accident, we only knew he had crashed on his scooter and was on his way to a trauma center by helicopter. 

Heath’s blood pressure had dropped dangerously low, and he was going deeper into shock. Among his more obvious injuries- a dislocated shoulder, a gash in one of his legs and his nose was broken.

This story is not about me, but last Sunday as I was leaving the chapel area in our church building, I saw one of my dear friends sitting in the back with two other sisters. She appeared deeply troubled, and I asked her if she was all right. Negative. Some time ago her husband, now a pilot in the Coast Guard, was the lone survivor of a medivac chopper crash. All patients and crew were will killed except Ryan, who was the pilot in command. He has been carrying around unfathomable guilt ever since. About a month ago he suffered a psychotic breakdown as a result of his post-traumatic stress and has been in Bethesda Naval Hospital. As I knelt before my friend listening to her tragic story, I begged her not to give up on her husband. I mentioned how as a young Soldier, and as the last link in the combat chain, I had played my horn at so many military funerals- and had never really gotten over it. I confessed to her that I didn't know our combat veterans who have experienced the horrors of war firsthand are able to deal with it. Suddenly I began sobbing- but there were no tears left within me… 

Yesterday as I knelt in prayer begging Almighty God not to take my son, I again began sobbing uncontrollably- and again there were no tears left within me. All four of our Soldier children are combat veterans, having served a combined total of eight combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. I can only guess how many tens of thousands of our military parents and spouses have been in similar situations- down on their knees and frantically begging God to preserve the life of a loved one. Our four children were among the fortunate ones- having all returned home those combined eight times with their lives and body parts in tact. Still, all four bear the hidden scars of combat- mostly from deep personal loss associated with seeing their friends and fellow Soldiers become combat casualties.

As yesterday’s drama wore on, we learned that Heath had no life-threatening injuries. His brain, neck, back and vital organs had all miraculously escaped serious injury. After his grandfather and a brother gave him a priesthood blessing, Heath rapidly began to recover. He was visited by his wife Melanie and their five lovely daughters- also many other family members who live in the area. By the end of the day, he was talking to Sharon and I by telephone and sounded more, all things considered, like his old self. His only additional injury was a broken bone in one of his ankles.

Sharon had been driving back from Utah- having helped Heath and his family move there from Missouri. Through a brother-in-law whose sister is a nun in Pittsburgh (and certainly through divine providence), Sharon had stayed at a convent Wednesday night instead of a motel. She was blessed to spend most of her stressful day in that peaceful atmosphere- and was able to recuperate somewhat before continuing homeward to New Jersey.            

I have no doubt such miracles as these occur every day as the hands of Heaven quietly reach into our battered lives to set things aright. As Heath’s brother Christian observed, “He could have been killed a million different ways.” Helmet or not, he should have been dead.

Please forgive me for posting this email on Real Conservatives today, but I only wanted to tell this heartrending story once. 

May Jesus and the Armies of Heaven ever protect you and your loved ones- especially those serving in our military. 

Faithfully yours, Allan

-- 
Richard Allan Jenni

Ocean City, New Jersey
Real Conservatives

[Richard Allan Jenni]

[Sandra]

God was looking over him, Allan! We are always here for each other and that is one thing that makes this group! I will continue to keep praying he mends rapidly... Give him my blessings.

[Gordon Ray Kissinger]

I thank The LORD GOD for you and your entire family. Our nation has been and continues to be blessed by all of you. Our Father is so loving and faithful! In times of trouble, thats when we can really count on Him.

Psalm 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

[Richard Allan Jenni]

Wayne- Thanks for your love and support yesterday- Ray, Sandie and Gordon, too. Tough day...