A Compassionate Man

Webster defines compassion as sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. It describes TB perfectly.

TB received quite a lot of mail in that last mail delivery. One of his soldiers received nothing. TB said he knew that look. He'd had it in Iraq before he met me. One of the boxes I sent had a blanket that he's been waiting for. He gave the blanket and a few other things I sent to his soldier so he wouldn't be sad. I had my class and the other kids at school autograph a new blanket and mailed it the next day. Some of my friends have stepped up to send blankets to the group.

TB's compassion goes beyond his soldiers. He has a personal mission to make the winter easier for the locals, especially the women and children. He asked if I could get donations for blankets, warm clothes, gloves, socks, and canned food. When I think of this man who is so physically and emotionally tough reaching out to others, noticing their struggles, and doing something to help, my heart melts. How often do we see someone else suffering and shake our heads and say, "What a shame. Somebody should do something." TB doesn't let it pass, thinking that others will help. When everyone else is saying, "Not me", he's saying "I will".