Kevin and I lived in Okinawa from 2001-2004. After 3 Christmas’ without family, we were excited to be back in the states for the holidays. My parents moved from Tennessee to a new job and their new place of employment served as the perfect backdrop for a Christmas the whole family would remember. My 3 sisters, their husbands and kids and our family flew to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on Dec 20 for a fun-filled week at a dude ranch.

My mom, as always, made all our favorite Christmas treats, the house was decorated, and we were ready for a relaxing, low-key week.

Day 1- As with all “dude-cowboy themed ranches” in that area- the amenities are second to none- in the Summer, there is horseback riding, fishing, hiking and in the winter- nothing says outdoors- like snowmobiles. That morning, we all ate a yummy breakfast and headed out to play on the snowmobiles in the pasture- a great time was had by all. After lunch, the 4 brothers-in-laws asked the guide if he would take them out on a more adventurous trek.

As the hours passed, the rest of us cuddled by the fire drinking hot cocoa, playing pool and chatting…about 4:00, my dad’s phone rang, and it was the guide- there had been an accident. A rescue team was currently bringing my husband to a Ranch to the north, where an ambulance was enroute. Dad hung up, told me to grab my coat and we were on our way about an hour north and up the mountain.  

When we got to the ranch- the ambulance arrived about the same time- as they began to access Kevin, the guide told us that Kevin had gone off about a 40-foot cliff, hit a fallen log, and flew an additional 25 feet or so. None of them had seen the accident, as Kevin was bringing up the rear, but the damage had been clear. They managed to secure him in a rescue bucket and get him up to the path and then pulled him on the sled to the closest ranch.

The Paramedics were kind and did a great job. They asked Kevin where he was? “Colorado”- close buddy, close. They asked him what he did for a living- silence. What was going on? I leaned down close over him and with all the “Drill Instructor” I could muster, I barked- “tell them what you do”- He snapped to and said “I am a United States Marine.” I looked at the Paramedic and said- “y’all need to ask him questions like you want an answer from now on.” LOL-

Anyway- after a long ambulance drive back to Jackson Hole, we arrived at the ER. They did a CT scan, and the gist was that he had crushed his tail bone, lacerated his bladder and his pelvic bones were broken on 3 places on each side and had misaligned and shifted to the left. They stabilized him and waited for the Urologist and Orthopedic doctors to make their rounds in the morning. ICU here we come.

The Orthopedic showed up the next morning and introduced himself. A Navy Reservist, who had already contacted Navy Medical Center Portsmouth and secured permission to go ahead and do the surgery in Jackson Hole. After explaining to me, because Kevin was totally medicated, that following surgery, he would be in an external fixator for about 2 ½ to 3 months, likely wheelchair and bedridden for some months. He also told me that eventually they would fly him back to Portsmouth for follow on care. I am not going to lie; it was a lot. After many more doctors and nurses came in, they finally got him prepped for surgery. This precious doctor also gave me his home number and told me that if I needed anything to call his wife, after all “milspouses help each other.”

Remember I said this was 2004. In November 2004, Bush and Cheney were reelected President and Vice-President. After a hard-fought campaign season, Vice President Cheney arrived in Jackson Hole to spend Christmas at home. When Presidents or Vice Presidents go home for Christmas, all the staff and military assigned to him also go. They spend Christmas away from their families. The ranches in the area often give the staff complimentary skiing and snowmobiling packages for their service. That’s how word spread that a Marine had been injured and that’s when Kevin (I actually mean me, because he was still heavily medicated) began to receive visitors- The pilot and other officers from Air Force 2 dropped by- just checking on their fellow- servicemember. A couple of soldiers, who did ground radar, also came by to check on us.

Christmas Eve and Day came and went- I think my kids got gifts; I am not even sure. But, on December 26, 2004- I was sitting next to Kevin in ICU while he slept and the ICU nurse came in- and this was our conversation:

Nurse: "The VP is on the phone."

Me: "The VP of what?"

Nurse: "The VP of these United States."       

Me: "What does he want?"

Nurse: "He wants to talk to Kevin."

Me: "Well...wake him up."

Nurse: "He told me not to wake him up- you come talk to him."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

And then for the next 6-7 minutes, I had the sweetest, loveliest, random conversation with Vice President Cheney. He wanted to check on “the Marine” and wanted to call back at some point when Kevin was awake. I assured him that Kevin would be so honored that he called, but that he didn’t have to call back. He insisted. A few days later, he did call back and talked to Kevin (still medicated) for about 15 minutes.

I am so glad that Kevin and I both had the opportunity to have a conversation with Vice President Cheney. Grateful for his service to our country and prayers for his family as they grieve this first Christmas without him.

This past year we celebrated the 20^th anniversary of what we now call “snowmobile Christmas.” In case you were wondering, he is fine. He ran a 1^st class PFT six months to the date of the accident. Also, just in case you were wondering…we stay HOME for Christmas now.