I love this picture I took of of Apolonio Uresti, Jr., a Vietnam Veteran from Donna, Texas. The photo communicates certain characteristics I have come to admire in this small band of brothers. At the end of this day, we will have recorded 145 miles in our trek to the City of George West.
I for one can no longer effectively use my feet. Whereas I started with a few blisters, now both of my feet are entire filled with blisters. Only by walking on the sides of my feet do I get some relief. In short I am physically spent. I know my companions are feeling the same. And yet, they continue!What is it that I admire in this rag-tag bunch of veterans that I see lacking in others. The same things that are evident in the larger picture above, qualities of strength and determination even when physical limitations tell you to stop. When dark clouds surround you, you remain standing, strong and proud.
Their's is a fire that burns within. And yet, that spirit becomes most evident when they persevere beyond what they should be doing. Yesterday, someone joked and said we would be mistaken for "illegal aliens" for resting on the side of the road. Physically, we are all tired. We stink. We sweat. Not much to look at. We certainly would not impress any opponent. Yet if one looks within, there we see the power that I see in these men and women, these greying warriors. A power that says after walking over 125 miles, to the hills south of George West, that they will not be deterred. With the faith of a mustard seed, they command mountains to yield and move.
Here as we cross this river, we must understand that we must break the chains that bind us. I at his moment am bound by my physical limitations. I pledge to find the spirit from within to continue.
As we entered George West, I noted that their was an eagle (or perhaps a buzzard) that was flying above us. I chose to believe that an eagle foretells a successful completion of our journey to San Antonio. The other choice is not an option.
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