In 1971, I stepped on a land mine in Vietnam. In a single moment, I lost both legs above the knee—and life, as I knew it, changed forever. Like many veterans, I’ve faced years of physical challenges, paperwork, and waiting. Most recently, I’ve been trying—unsuccessfully—for two years to get a new wheelchair from the Veterans Administration. Even a spare one, just in case of emergency, was out of reach.

But sometimes, kindness appears where you least expect it.

On July 7th, I was shopping at the Lowe’s Home Improvement Center on Forest Avenue in Mariners Harbor when my wheelchair gave out. It wasn’t the first time, but this time, the breakdown left me stranded. I was stuck, embarrassed, and unsure what to do next.

That’s when three employees—David, Marcus, and Souleyman—noticed.

They didn’t hesitate. They didn’t call a manager. They didn’t ask for insurance or documentation. They simply acted. First, they got me into another chair so I could rest. Then, like a well-practiced pit crew, they rolled up their sleeves and got to work on my chair.

Piece by piece, they disassembled it, replaced broken components, and adjusted everything until it was functioning again. “We’re going to make this chair like new,” they told me with quiet confidence.

I watched them work—long after the store had closed—treating my broken chair like it was their own. No rush. No shortcuts. Just care.

Forty-five minutes later, I rolled out of Lowe’s in what felt like a brand-new wheelchair. I kept thanking them, over and over. But they just smiled and said, “It was our honor.”

I’ve heard a lot of phrases over the years. That one? It stuck with me.

Because this wasn’t just about a wheelchair. It was about dignity. About being seen—not as a burden, but as a fellow human being who needed help.

These three men didn’t serve in Vietnam. They didn’t wear uniforms. But make no mistake: in that moment, they showed the same spirit of service and sacrifice I saw in my fellow soldiers over 50 years ago.

So if anyone ever tells you the world is short on good people, send them this story. Better yet—head over to that Lowe’s and meet David, Marcus, and Souleyman. They’ll remind you what true decency looks like.