A Wounded Warrior asked communities to help veterans by just being kind during a veterans celebration Monday on the lawn of the Little River County Courthouse in Ashdown, Ark.
Charles "Dozer" Reed, 43, of Keithville, La., urged the community to watch for signs of a veteran who may just need someone to say a kind word.
"Lights might be on in a house, but you never see the veteran outside. No one visits them and they may be struggling. Knock on doors and just tell them to have an amazing day," said Reed, who is a friend of Little River County Judge Mike Cranford.
"One person who shows they care can make a difference. I see young faces in the audience today, and I realize the country is still growing strong and they're helping the warriors like me who still have moments of worthlessness. Take them to a luncheon at a church. Go say hello and urge them to get out of the house."
Reed was injured while serving in Iraq. He was riding in a convoy going from Camp Anaconda going to Baghdad. "My driver swerved around a barrier and we hit a really nasty hole, at 55 mph. I was catapulted into the top of the cab," Reed said.
"The pain was intense. I later found out that I actually cracked two vertebrae, right in the middle of my back, and damaged my spinal cord in three places. I went through a lot of struggles. I found myself in a very dark place trying to battle the demons because I was doing it by myself. I had to find a whole new me."
"You don't want to talk to other people because you don't feel like they really get it."
Reed said he learned to re-establish his life through the Wounded Warrior program and has since become a mentor. He also has improved physically and regained medical certification so that he can resume flight training this year.
As a Wounded Warrior volunteer, Reed helps veterans on state legislative issues and would like to put a pilot's certificate to use someday to help wounded veterans see their families.
"There is no greater feeling than that of soaring above the clouds. It is where I belong," he said.