Generosity stretches beyond state lines

The spirit of cooperation and goodwill was palpable this weekend, as a number of veterans, many from Connecticut, joined together at the American Legion in Millerton to present a gift to Iraq war veteran Stephen Valyou.

Valyou was shot while disarming a roadside bomb in Iraq. That life-changing injury, which paralyzed him from the waist down, brought him back to the United States, to the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and then to a spinal injury recovery center in Tampa, Fla.

While he worked to heal his mind and body, Valyou was aided by his wife and young son, as well as the rest of his family. What he was not aware of at the time was that he was also supported by a whole community, one which cares deeply for his well-being — both physical and mental.

This community stretches beyond state lines, as can be witnessed by Saturday’s donation of a motorized wheelchair. (See story, Page A1.) The gift came from a Connecticut American Legionnaire, who learned about Valyou’s predicament through a former Marine. As is the tendency within the military community, word spread quickly and soon spurred action.

The result? A motorized wheelchair worth several thousands of dollars was given, along with the priceless gift of well-wishes and positive energy, to Valyou. What’s amazing here is that he didn’t ask for the chair. He didn’t even know it was coming until the last moment. Even then the gift was something he hadn't realized he would make such good use of. Now that he has it, however, Valyou said that it’s tremendously helpful and can save the massive toll a manual chair takes on his arms and shoulders.

The "return" Legionnaire Roger Geiger got for making the donation? Just knowing that he might have made Valyou’s life "a little better" because of it.

Valyou is a hero here in Millerton. He served his country, sacrificed greatly and returned to a life forever changed. It’s good to know that he is the recipient of not just this wheelchair, which we hope will be of great benefit to him, but also of the community’s respect and its thanks.

Certainly his bravery, both while serving in Iraq and now, while facing life’s unknowns, sets an example we should all follow in our own lives. That the community can be right there beside him as he makes his way through life’s challenges is as it should be. We’re proud to witness that cooperation and support — may it continue forever.