Kansas City, KS, September 12, 2009.

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Kansas City, Kansas. Joseph LeGer with the help of his friend Mack made their way down a crowded KCK sidewalk during a parade Saturday.  LeGer approached Daniel Gilyeat while he was handing out cards announcing the modest beginning of his campaign for Congress. Both men had one thing in common. Daniel Gilyeat, a Marine, lost his left leg to an IED in Iraq. Joseph LeGer, a Soldier, lost his left leg to an IED in Afghanistan.

Beyond their service and injuries, the two American Heroes are a contrast in experiences. LeGer stood with an uncovered wound. Gilyeat stood with a mechanical leg. Gilyeat said he asked questions, scratched, and clawed to get his medical and VA benefits. His story was picked up by Home Make Over, and his life changed. Gilyeat was married the day before and his wife was sitting nearby.

Nearly nobody knows about Joseph LeGer. LeGer was lying on the grass with his friend Mark. “He watches after me,” LeGer said. When first asked if he would agree to an interview, he smiled and gave the “Peace” sign popular during Vietnam. In only a few moments it was clear Joseph LeGer, U.S. Army, had more in common with Vietnam than the wars in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan.

The soldier said he served in Afghanistan from 2004 to 2006 when he kicked and object which triggered the IED that took his leg. Telling his story was difficult for LeGer. He rolled over onto his right side and became emotional in the memory of the events. He fought back tears. His story was not clear and steady, but emotional and possible with some cognitive impairment from the injury, medication, and the life of living on the streets.  Mack said “Joseph has been living on the streets since 2006.”

“He, my friend Mack, takes, care of me. Tell him Mack,” LeGer said. Mack said the two met when Joseph returned from Afghanistan. “I just got approved for $780 a month from the VA,” LeGer said. He said he would receive the monthly benefit beginning in October.

Slipping back into his memories, of flashback, he explained he was an electrician and part of an advance unit that was working in an area of suspected IED’s. He mumbled something about “not kicking rocks” when he broke down with emotion. “My leg was not the only thing that died that day.” He said he kicked something and the IED exploded killing the soldiers with him. At that, he was unable to speak.

The interview revealed later through Mack and Joseph, when he recovered, he was not able to get help from veterans groups or the VA. “Finally, Kansas Legal Aid helped me get the benefits,” he said, looking more like a forgotten Vietnam Vet and a street bumb than a veteran of the War on Terror.