His Legacy Begins

August 22, 2000 – Email from Chris:

“I am re-enlisting in November for 3 years, but I have been searching the net for firefighter positions. I someday would like to land a federal job doing something of that magnitude. It just feels so nice being so close to freedom!! I could actually grow long hair again before it falls out!! Not that I do this job for the money, but after this cruise and experiencing “different” and new things, I have realized that I don’t want to continue doing this for an extended amount of time. I would like to enjoy life and not put myself in “harms” way so much. I’ll be honest with you. I never hesitated at any moment, but the human deep down inside of this shell was scared a few times and understood how life is nothing but a flash!!”

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Over the years I’ve heard many people say “I wish I could’ve met your brother”. My typical response is “you have”. There are heroes among us, if we choose to see and acknowledge them. They don’t have a certain look about them; that’s only in the movies. You pass them in the grocery store aisle or at the register, you walk or run by them on the trail, you drive by them as you rush to your destination. How do I know this? That was my brother! 

Chris was “vertically challenged”, which is what he told me once when I talked about being short. Outwardly, to any passerby, he did not exude the imagery of what many perceive a hero should look like. Quite the contrary! Chris went to visit a friend once, and his friend’s wife asked who the homeless man was in the garage! Chris was not arrogant, didn’t think he was better than anyone else, and he was not condescending. He listened more than he talked. You would never have known his role in the Navy, unless someone else who knew “outed” him. 

I was at my brother’s home a couple weeks after he was killed and met a woman who told me she and a group of friends had gotten together for dinner and Chris was there. From my recollection of the story, there was an individual who was less than gracious towards Chris until someone at the table divulged that my brother was a Navy SEAL (people love to talk!). This person, who seconds before wanted nothing to do with my brother, was immediately intrigued and interested in talking with him – only after learning his “title”. I would encourage you to look beyond appearances; everyone is someone and has a story! Most heroes and heroines don’t wear capes or look glamourous. They are too busy doing good to look good.

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Chris continued to put himself in harms way for 11 more years. On August 6th, 2011, my brother was killed in Afghanistan along with many other US service members and Afghan allies. The day Chris died was the day his legacy was born, and it could only be achieved by countless strangers uniting together. Earlier this year, my brother’s final mission was completed; however, the work is not done. This Fall, my friend, Nels Matson will be running across America to share the stories of our nation’s veterans, in honor of my brother and the legacy he left. We welcome you to join our journey in our efforts to raise awareness and funds for the life-saving programs and services offered to veterans by Wounded Warrior Project. Visit ProjectCampbellsCall.com to make a donation in Chris’ memory – his life of service lives on through you!