This is the story of ‘that Marine with a face’ who was able to find the strength to overcome the pain of his past and embrace the title of ‘hero’ because to some people that’s exactly what he was.
Sergeant Reyes’ thoughts often went back to that faithful day when he pulled his buddy Carlos out of a burning Humvee, feeling his skin peel away like wet paper. At one point, when he thought he was dying, this brave Marine heard someone’s voice ringing in his ears, ‘You saved three people. They’re calling you a hero.’
However, after the incident, Sergeant Reyes felt sorry for himself. He hated the stares and could barely eat for months after the explosion that shredded his entire face.
Most of all, he hated the silence. People assessed his appearance without taking the time to ask what was wrong – well, until Lena, who was standing across from him in the restaurant, said: ‘Tell me the part no one ever hears.’
A few months after her article was published, Sergeant Reyes found himself in the centre of a room full of reporters and cameras. He was to receive a medal testifying to his incredible courage.
When his name was called, Sergeant Reyes heard a whisper as he walked past. ‘That’s him. That’s the guy who saved my brother.’
He froze. When he turned around, he saw a woman with watery eyes holding a picture of one of the Marines Sergeant Reyes had saved that day.
‘My brother…Private Miller…he was in that convoy. Thanks to you, he made it home. Thank you,’ she whispered. ‘Thank you for bringing my brother home.’
Her words changed everything. Something switched in the hero Marine. He no longer felt the urge to hide his face. Despite the scars, he was still the same person inside.
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