Page 107 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine Fall 2019- Online Magazine

viEtNam war

Navy

him from Hawaii and the Western Pacific to that day, something that the young man himself
London and the North Atlantic. In 1987, Lee could not yet see. Mistake or no, those many
began his last world cruise as Chief Petty Officer, people whom Lee has met and served down
officially retiring in 1991. He worked for a through the years are undoubtedly thankful
while with Walmart and then as a contractor for that he was there when they needed him. And
General Dynamics before following his two sons for Lee Reese, that first day at boot camp began
to Lubbock in 2004. He became involved with a lifetime of caring and service that continues
the DAV, the VFW, and the American Legion, to this day to the country he loves and to the
as well as a Relapse Prevention Group, meeting community where he lives.
literally hundreds of people along the way. In
2007, Lee began volunteering with Meals on
Wheels and started participating in the ACTS
Group. Lee also humbly states that he has been
sober for the past 25 years.
Lee’s nasal cancer first showed itself in the form
of a nose bleed at dinner one night. After 50
chemo and radiation treatments, Lee’s doctor
in the hospital reported that the cancer was not
responding. He recommended Lee return home
with hospice services. Lee remembers waking up
in the in-patient unit at Vista Care Hospice (now
Kindred Hospice). A few days later, with Sharon
at his bedside, he found himself surrounded
by friends from the ACTS Group. The circle of
friends prayed together and shared communion.
The end seemed very near. However, a renewed
effort of targeted treatments with a new drug
was surprisingly effective, and within a few
weeks, Lee “graduated” off hospice service
just before Thanksgiving in 2008. Lee has been
cancer-free since 2017.

He continues his volunteer work and is also
involved with Refuge Services Equine
Therapy in Lubbock, working with horses
and learning more about himself. His ongoing
counseling and work with horses has built his
confidence and helped him learn how to love
unconditionally.

Maybe it was just a joke when someone hid
half a dozen Bibles in his gear on that first
day of boot camp. And maybe his company
commander was somewhat misguided when
he selected a foul-mouthed 19-year-old to be
the company’s Religious Officer. Or maybe
- just maybe - that commander caught a
glimpse of something in the young sailor

Lubbock Senior Link 107