I love Jon Hovde. You read more about that in this blog. But, I’m updating it today, 10/19/18. I always remember this day:
“I
‘m trying to get my frame of mind back to January 1968. I couldn’t even scratch my nose. I had to be fed, etc. I developed bed sores from sweating & there was no staff to clean my back & bedding. At least this time I won’t have to worry about the bed sores. I’m a stubborn Norsk who likes his independence, so I’ll need to humble myself and ask for help.”
Those are the words written to family and friends of Viet Nam vet, husband, father, grandpa, of Fertile Minnesota, Jon Hovde. He wrote those words to inform us that he would soon undergo a complete shoulder replacement at the Mayo Clinic in April.
The reference to “no staff, bed sores, etc.,” was to the jungle floors of Southeast Asia. A disease, insect, snake infested jungle with an Army hospital. A hospital that was often mortared. The staff saved his life. One of them, a nurse, he presented his own Purple Heart in a surprise ceremony back home, decades later. You can read his story in a brilliant book, “Left For Dead: A Second Life After Viet Nam.” I can’t recommend it enough. You deserve to read it. It’s not a rock ’em sock ’em war book. It’s about a hot rod driving, fun-loving young kid from Minnesota taken away from “the lake” and nearly lost in the steamy jungles of Southeast Asia. It’s the story of a mangled young man, back from the war, drinking, driving too fast and just getting along. (I don’t want to spoil the ending. But, it’s a good one. He married his high school sweetheart Darlene.)
Jon has been a very good friend from about the first minute I moved here in 1989. I’ve only known the “grown-up” Jon Hovde. I didn’t know “the kid” fighting a war in ‘Nam.
In January, 1968, a truck he was driving struck a mine and blew up. Jon survived, but only miraculously. He lost an arm and a leg and suffered numerous shrapnel wounds. Because of a brave medic, a courageous nurse, and Norsk stubbornness, Jon not only still lives, but inspires all that have been fortunate to know him. If you get a chance to hear him speak….GO!
In April he faces a surgery which is a result of that explosion all those years ago. He will be away from home for a long time. From the letter above, it looks like the hard part for Jon will be to ask for help. (He gets along real well, normally.) As part of his recovery his right arm will be attached to his side so that he can’t move the shoulder! Imagine, his right arm! His “good” arm! But, he’ll get help this time. He can’t help it. Everyone cares. His family bonds are strong. He is confident in his medical care. But, we still worry.
Jon is a soft-spoken orator who brings crowds of young people in school assemblies to silence as they listen to his well-thought words. He often ends his talks with “I’m no hero. Real heroes names are carved on granite walls.” Well, Jon, despite your best effort, I will always consider you a hero.
UPDATE 10/19/18
(Jack Sunday is a radio veteran with nearly 50-years “behind the mike.” He likes to say he’s not old…just aging. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter @nodakjack. Listen weekdays, 4-7pm on KFGO.)
