America and Afghanistan
August 31, 2021A Different Kind of Mother’s Day
September 26, 2021Several years ago my mom and I made a trip to the lovely island of O’ahu, Hawai’i. The visit was bittersweet. We drove to Tripler Army Medical Center, which is a beautiful pink hospital on a hill. We sat down for a bit, and a pair of worn boots was between us. They belonged to a grown man who decades before had been carefully swaddled in this very sacred space. I couldn’t imagine what my mom must be feeling, for this was the hospital where she delivered a little bundle of joy as a young, military spouse. Christopher George Campbell made his debut into our great big world on September 16, 1974, and I became a proud big sister.
Siblings are our first playmates, first friends and first “enemies”. If you’re lucky, things come full circle and you have a friend for life. As adults our relationship changed; subtly it seemed our birth order reversed. Chris was no longer that pesky little boy who was always in my things or a wild teenager who was far more daring than I could ever be. As an adult, he became my confidant, cheerleader, and my protector. In mid-2007, he was going through a divorce and called to talk about it. “We’re probably going to end up living together when we get old”, and he referenced our Great Aunt and Uncle who were a brother and sister duo who lived together. I laughed at him, but in the back of my mind there was some comfort knowing my brother would always be there. I never imagined a future without Chris.
In 2012, I met Ashley. Her brother died in Iraq several years before Chris. She shared something I couldn’t grasp at the time, but I knew she had been on this journey long before me so her words carried a great deal of weight. Ashley said, “there will come a time when you don’t focus on the day your brother died but that he lived”. He LIVED! The time passed far too quickly, and his loss from my life and the life of everyone who loved him was tragic, unexpected, and heartbreaking. But, he lived! That is what I want to focus on today, an incredibly special day – Chris’ 47th birthday.
I am so grateful I had the opportunity to share 36 years with my brother! Today, I am especially thankful for my parents, who are the reason we can celebrate Chris’ life. My mother provided an amazing example through her tireless efforts that helping others is the best way to live. My father proudly served our country in the United States Marine Corps for close to three decades. I believe their influence contributed in some way to Chris’ final wish.
A few days after Chris was killed in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011, I was told Chris wanted 100,000 people to donate to Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). We had talked about our final directives a few years prior to his death, and this was different than what we discussed; however, life happens and things change. I had never heard of WWP previously so did a quick google search. My pride for my brother soared! I learned that Wounded Warrior Project provides programs and services to military service members regardless of their branch, gender, or rank. They are an all encompassing organization whose vision is to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history. This requires skill, talent, and hard work. Why my brother made the decision to make this over-the-top request, I’ll never know. It doesn’t surprise me though! This leads me to “Project Campbell’s Call”.
In 2019, I had an opportunity to work with a young man, Nels Matson. During the course of this time, I learned that Nels had undertaken a few endurance events (putting it lightly). It was his reason though that I found most impressive. Nels was born with a congenital heart defect (CHD). Medical intervention early on in his life allowed for a full recovery, and he is thriving! Nels wanted to pay it forward so took on cycling and running events to raise awareness and money to help other children born with heart defects. I love to read, and Nels loaned me a book about another young man’s journey with CHD. In turn, I shared a book with Nels that contained seven pages about my brother, not a lot but enough to give a reader tiny insight into my brother’s personality – stories that make Chris real and relatable. Nels listened to the audible and heard me talk about Chris’ last request, and he couldn’t get it out of his mind.
I believe every person with whom we interact, meet, develop relationships has potential to tremendously impact our lives. I believe our path is being guided and requires a bit of faith (and work on our part, too). How that plays out is up to the individual contributor. In 2010, I received an email from Chris regarding a teammate who had died. He said “this path was chosen for us, we decided to follow it”. Chris “planted” the seed – hoping 100,000 people would donate to WWP. For me, I didn’t choose the path to raise awareness for WWP; however, I AM following it. It’s not optional. When Nels called me and said he was planning to run across the United States in an attempt to break the Guinness record for the fastest time and could he do so to honor Chris and raise awareness for his last request, I was humbled and honored. Project Campbell’s Call was born.
Join us today as we celebrate Chris’ life! In honor of his 47th birthday, we would love to reach 47 donors to Wounded Warrior Project. Thank you for linking arms with us to make Chris’ wish of 100,000 people donating to WWP a reality. His legacy of helping others will live on through your contribution.
Soon,
Cindy
Proud Sister of Christopher George Campbell, US Navy
September 16, 1974 – 8/6/11
“The greatest casualty is being forgotten” – WWP®