Josh Wells, 23, is why Americans celebrate Veterans Day.
While serving in Iraq in 2007, the McComb native lost both legs when the Stryker combat vehicle he was driving was hit by an Explosively Framed Projectile, a high-tech roadside bomb fitted with a copper disk that can blast through steel. The copper projectile tore into Wells' Stryker and through both his legs, above the knee. He had volunteered to take over the driving duties for a friend that day.
Wells may be part metal, but he's all man. He sat in the Jack Case Gymnasium Wednesday morning beside his little brother, West Lincoln first-grader Jeremy Wells, with his head high, his chest out and bearing no regrets. The injury has helped him truly discover himself, he said, and Veterans Day is now his day.
"I'd do it all over again. I wouldn't trade it for anything," Wells said of his service. "Veterans Day has a whole different meaning for me now; it's a whole different day. Before, you could understand Veterans Day. After being in the armed forces, you can appreciate it."
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Joe Speights, an Army veteran who served during the Korean War and trained one of the country's earliest guided missile programs, said the academy's program honored him.
"I appreciate everything like that. I try to honor vets every time I get a chance, and I pray for them every day," he said. "I pray for the guys in our two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan every day."
Roffie Burt, a veteran of both the Army and the U.S. Air Force who served in Vietnam, said the respect shown to veterans at such school programs was a vindication for his service in what was an unpopular war.
"Vietnam was an unappreciated war. We were kind of looked down upon, and I feel like we're finally appreciated," he said. "The main thing is that your service is appreciated instead of despised."
Army veteran Dell Beal also served in Vietnam. He said Mississippians' embracing of Veterans Day, for him, has many meanings - respect, honor, glory.
"Anybody who puts God and country first ..." he said. "The true meaning is to show your respect for your freedom, rights and the sacrifices of those that gave all."
Vietnam veteran Steve Altman expounded upon the local acceptance of all veterans. While serving a crew chief to an F-4 Phantom II in the 366th Fighter Wing, he celebrated his 21st birthday, lost his grandfather and a few friends to mortar fire. He'd do it all again.
"The opportunity to serve this great nation, the honor of being from a town like Brookhaven that is so close knit, to be here with my people, thanking me and my fellow vets for our service, makes me feel so good," he said. "It's an honor."
