National Memorial Day Concert

Three stories of bravery

This year, the National Memorial Day Concert, airing on Sunday, May 30 at 8 p.m. on WHYY TV12, pays special tribute to the Americans who have been seriously injured or incapacitated during their service to their country, as well as to the family members who have lost a loved one in combat.

Erick Castro, Jim Mayer and Michelle Baugh are three such individuals, all of whom share their emotional stories of bravery, hope and inspiration during this year's concert. Below are excerpts of their experiences.

Eric Castro

Twenty-three year old Erick Castro of Santa Anna, California -- part of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment -- had been in the army for four years and stationed in Iraq for six months when, last August, his unit was ambushed as they were clearing rocks. Castro and two others lost their legs during an intense firefight. Brought for rehabilitation to Walter Reid Army Hospital in Washington, D.C., Castro was in and out of consciousness before realizing what had happened to him. With the help of a remarkable team of doctors and nurses on Ward 57, Castro underwent successful occupational and physical therapy. His rehabilitation was also helped greatly by a hospital volunteer named Jim Mayer (see Mayer's story below). Castro credits him with helping him see "a light at the end of the tunnel."

Castro has now returned to civilian life, but his thoughts are still with his fellow soldiers in Iraq, and with the wounded he still visits at Walter Reed. "The only thing that I would ask of civilians is just to support the troops. Send them a letter thanking them or say hi, because a letter goes a long way out there."

Jim Mayer

Light weapons infantryman Jim Mayer had been in Vietnam only two and a half months when he stepped on a land mine in April 1969, losing both of his legs. For the next few years, Mayer had to undergo 21 operations and extensive rehabilitation before he could walk on prosthetic legs. During rehabilitation, the veteran took part in several VA-sponsored programs, graduated from college and began working in public service.

In 1972, Mayer was elected president of the lobbying group the National Association of Collegiate Veterans, and later moved onto the Department of Veterans Affairs where he continues to work today. A large part of Mayer's life is devoted to volunteering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he is widely known as "Milkshake Man." The nickname was coined in 1991 when Mayer started delivering milkshakes s everal times a week to the amputees on Ward 57. Along with the treats, he has been dispensing the kind of understanding and inspiration an able-bodied person can't, and many of the other amputees on the ward credit him with giving them a new lease on life.

Michelle Baugh

For Michelle Baugh, life was changed forever when her father, Army Specialist fourth class Richie Githens, was shot and killed while searching an enemy bunker in Vietnam. Michelle was only three months old at the time, and grew up knowing that she had to find out more about this man who was a hero in her mind.

One day, Michelle's hopes were answered when a Vietnam veteran named Chuck Gregoire suddenly came into her life. He called Michelle and told her he'd been with her father when he died, and after 20 years of thinking about his buddy he needed to let her family know what a brave and honorable man he had been. When she met Chuck and talked with him about her father and the man Chuck knew so well, Michelle was finally able to confront the past and reach a place of peace.

-- Edited for Applause Online by Anna Christopher

Learn more about the Memorial Day specials airing this month on TV12.