Written by: Jacob Sawyer
It was on foreign soil where I witnessed Sergeant Lyons’ countless acts of valor and heroism. On one particular occasion Sergeant Lyons saved myself and many others from certain death.
While on deployment leaving camp Baghdad to Camp Anaconda, in 2003, Sergeant Lyons was driving when an IED ripped through our HET or (heavy equipment transporter), lifting our 290,000 pound vehicle off the ground, shattering out windows, blackening the sky, throwing shrapnel, and chaos quickly ensued.
In the midst of the explosion, I fell from the top of the truck, ten feet to the ground. It knocked me out. When I did come to, I was very disoriented. Everything was silent and in slow motion. I knew I had to move to live, but I couldn’t move, couldn’t hear, and everything was in slow motion.
Convoy leader Staff Sergeant Whaley followed the explosion to our vehicle. He found me on the ground where I should NOT be then ordered me back into the truck, but he didn’t realize I could not move due to my injuries. I could not climb the ladder back into the cab. I had suffered injuries to my head, neck, back, and foot., I was also knocked unconscious briefly—all rendering me nearly incapacitated—and to be honest I was frozen with dread.
Our convoy was in deep trouble; the Iraqi insurgents were sprinting our way, and we were sitting ducks just waiting to get taken, killed, and drug through the streets.
In that moment Sergeant Lyons became completely aware of what was about to happen.
Me, not being able to climb the ladder, had stopped the convoy, and we were all going to get overrun and killed if I didn’t get inside that cab.
“Dear God help me.” We needed a miracle. Sergeant Lyons let out this thunderous command. “Sawyer!! Get your ass up here!!” And in that very moment the fighting spirit in me was awakened. Instantly, I had strength and power unlike before, and I found myself back in the front seat but not really sure how I got there, however, we were on our way back to Camp Anaconda.
Sergeant Jim Lyons saved my life that day and the lives of at least forty others. You see, Sergeant Lyons is a quiet humble man. He would never tell you or anyone else how much he has truly sacrificed for this country and every one of you living in it. You can trust me when I say Sergeant Jim Lyons only knows self-sacrifice. He was always watching over us all. I felt safe with him. He would always help and encourage the weakest of us all. He would always pick up the slack and do the work of others. He would be the last to bed and the first to rise.
Jim Lyons, please forgive me for never properly thanking you for saving my life and bringing me home to my family and helping me get to the most wonderful life that is full of joy and blessings.
You are my American hero, and this Veteran’s Day I would like to honor you. Thank you, Jim Lyons for your service, dedication, acts of valor and heroism which should not go unnoticed. I am eternally grateful, and my heart is filled with gratitude.
Ephesians 3-20
To him who is able to do infinitely above all that we ask or imagine according to the power that is at work within us.
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