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An hour before dawn this morning, in a pouring rain, wounded Iraq war veteran Dan McKinney returned to his old law enforcement job at the Port of Miami, and received a hero's welcome. The many hugs, handshakes and warm wishes were a far cry from the reception he endured 37 years ago when he also returned injured from Vietnam, and was cursed by angry crowds. On tonight's broadcast, you'll get a chance to meet McKinney and hear from one of the many people at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), who took extraordinary steps to support and protect him this time around.
Nearly two years ago, the now 55-year-old McKinney was called up by the Army Reserves, and was sent to Iraq to train policemen. But while he was taking a lunch break at an Iraqi compound, a suicide bomber dressed as a policeman walked in the door and set off a deadly explosive. Two Americans were killed, and four were injured. McKinney suffered a severe abdominal injury. He would spend the next year and a half in treatment and rehabilitation facilities.
I met McKinney a few weeks ago, with the intent of using his story as part of a larger report on wounded vets supporting each other at a conference in Orlando. But, I quickly changed my mind and decided to feature him on his own after he gave an extraordinary account of all the people who had rallied to help him. He insisted this outpouring actually accelerated his recovery.
He told of incredible support from his boss, Thomas Winkowski, who went to see him at the Walter Reed Army Hospital promising that no matter how badly McKinney was hurt, no matter how disabled he was, he would always have a job at the Port of Miami. Jose Ramirez, the CBP port director, also pulled out all the stops, calling the hospital daily to make sure all was well. CBP officer Stephanie Mays, a close friend of McKinney's, was actually assigned to be with him at Walter Reed. She says the first thing McKinney did when she saw him all broken up in the hospital was to apologize for getting hurt.
As he recovered, McKinney was flooded with cards and letters from CBP officers and their families from around the world, too many to thank individually. Even schoolchildren wished him well. One of them wrote, "You're not lonely, you have friends here in Florida, and I hope you get better." Even for a tough old soldier-cop, it was powerful and emotional tonic.
This morning, McKinney finally came home again, well enough recovered to arrive for his first day back to work. He found himself surrounded by a crowd of blue uniforms -- officers young and old who had each played a role in bringing him back. When asked how he felt, he said simply, "I feel very humble."
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Raise your hand
Welcome home brother. I was a door gunner on a gun ship from Dec.1965 till March of 1967. I am very thankfull that this Country has taken a different view of us that served there. I thank your boss for renewing my faith in management. He was unconditional about his faith in you. He,and your co-workers have shown us that you don't have to serve in a war to become an American Hero.
Bud Hearn Okeechobee, Fla (Sent May 27, 2007 8:29:25 AM)
I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT FIRST SHIRTS WERE THE EPITOME OF THE 'ELAN. I WAS A COLLEGE STUDENT WHEN VIET NAM WAS OCCURRING. BECAUSE I WAS IN AN ROTC DETACHMENT, EVEN THERE A FORM OF OSTRACISM TOOK PLACE. I'M THANKFUL YOU HAVE A MR. W. IN THE CBP OR ICE OR WHATEVER IT TAKES TODAY. OUR PRAYERS CONTINUE FOR YOU, FOR ALL OTHERS LIKE YOU, AND FOR THE SPIRIT YOUR EXAMPLE EXEMPLIFIES. MAY THE PEACE OF GOD STAY WITH YOU.
Conrad, Oregon, MO (Sent May 27, 2007 12:14:21 AM)
I have never met you in this life, but I honor and respect your service in Vietnam, I served in country 71-72 and understand your feelings perfectly. When it's all over I'll see you and the guys on 'Fiddler's Green'. May God bless you, and the family. WFY
William Yale, Hayward, California (Sent May 25, 2007 10:09:15 PM)
Mark Ailsworth,
Dan was in my wedding and I can tell you that you have no idea the strength of his character, else you would have never have questioned his word. The idea of him even stretching the truth of his Vietnam experience (including his homecoming) is ridiculous and not congruous with his character. I hope you will someday meet a person, such as Dan, whose word is one of quality. If you do, maybe you won't be so quick to judge others negatively.
Brittany
Brittany (Sent Apr 22, 2007 11:52:24 PM)
Dan..Welcome home, brother. I was T Song Mao, Vietnam and went through the attack on April 1...the worst april fools joke ever, but we survived..take care..
Robert E Davis..C-troop 2-1 Cav..Mechanicsville, Iowa (Sent Mar 18, 2007 6:31:43 PM)
Dan, I just wanted to thank you for all thatyou did fro mankind. GOD BLESS
MIke Sowden, Wilm. DE (Sent Mar 18, 2007 5:56:09 PM)
Welcome home Dan. I was in 2/1 Cav Regiment HHT at Song Mao in 1970. Reading about a fellow Blackhawk who lived through one war to serve his country in harms way again so many years later is the single definition of patriot to me. America resented us when we came home but we never resented America. ANIMO ET FIDE Brother and God Bless
Dennis J. Asch (Sent Jan 30, 2007 1:40:33 PM)
YOU ARE ONE TOUGH FELLOW, SGT MCKINNEY, AND I AM SO HAPPY YOU ARE MENDING WELL. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR DEFENDING MINE AND MY FAMILY'S FREEDOM. WE ARE BEHIND YOU 100%. YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYERS. THANKS AGAIN. YOU AND ALL THE GUYS AND GALS IN IRAQ ARE OUR HEROES !!!!!!
SYLVIA FROM PERRY, GEORGIA (Sent Jan 29, 2007 5:23:56 PM)
Welcome home and thank you for your service, fellow Blackhawk, HHT 2-1 Cav 68-69
Lloyd Wirkkala Kalama.WA (Sent Jan 28, 2007 6:24:40 PM)
Dan, way to stay tough and in the fight!!!
Thank you for your support,time and education when I was assigned to the Miami Sea Port.
The Young Military Officer from Desert Storm /
Customs BP Officer.
To Tall R/Rojas
Rafael Rojas Miami Florida (Sent Jan 26, 2007 10:01:06 PM)
Dan: Glad to see you are back in action. I had no doubt that you would recover and get back into the thick of things. Looking forward to having a beer with you when I get to Florida. Best Wishes
(Sent Jan 26, 2007 5:46:50 PM)
dan,
dan...welcome home and thank you. we all can't thank you enough. you've served your country with duty and honor. i'm proud to be your co-worker at cbp.
former port of miami employee now in cleveland
(Sent Jan 26, 2007 11:16:44 AM)
Welcome the man back for a job well done. Thank God for watching over him. Do not interject some lame political viewpoint. Those that do are a major part of what ails this country and society.
(Sent Jan 26, 2007 10:33:15 AM)
Welcome the man back for a job well done. Thank God for watching over him. Do not interject some lame political viewpoint. Those that do are a major part of what ails this country and society.
(Sent Jan 26, 2007 10:32:29 AM)
Thank you, SFC McKinney.
(Sent Jan 25, 2007 4:15:57 PM)
It is sad to read of Viet vets acting like history misused them,get real,Germans acted the same way.Soldiers are used abused and abuse but dirty wars are dirty wars,look for who created them and face the truth.I guess time cleans up all filth.
M. sier. norfolk,u.k. (Sent Jan 25, 2007 12:44:39 PM)
The fact that Vietnam veterans were spat upon is a fact not a myth. The entire generation of arrogant,
elitist, baby-boomer fudge packers is in revisionist denial on this one
SpunBuldak, SalmanPaK, WA (Sent Jan 25, 2007 12:00:08 AM)
Welcome home AGAIN Brother. I was on the coast of Nam on an ole LST then off to Diego Garcia (too much fun). I missed the Gulf War and have a son that has been there 2 times already. He is with a Marine Air Wing aboard Carriers.
This is to say welcome home and keep up the good work at your job, they know a good thing when they see it. You are an inspration to us all. Keep it up
Ron Whaley Tallahassee Florida (Sent Jan 24, 2007 9:34:17 PM)
Dan, welcome home brother! Thank you for your honored service to our country. I, like you, served our country in Vietnam (A Co.(Pelicans) 123 Avn Bn. 16 CAG)flying Huey helicopters. I eventually retired from the Texas Army National Guard and hope that someday soon we have the opportunity to meet and compare stories and Harley's. Good luck with your recovery, God Bless.
CW-4 Larry D. Stone (Ret)
Texas Army National Guard.
Larry D. Stone, Cleburne, Texas (Sent Jan 24, 2007 5:33:27 PM)
Hi Mac;
This is a big welcome, Twice that is! I am looking forward to seeing you, how sad I feel, this things happened to those who really defend our country. As you know, I also served in Vietnam during my early young days, I turned 18 years old in country. I also exerienced the insults and hatefullness, the Americans anti-war mongers had for us. I hope before I pass to a different world, our us citizen and residence learned that soldiers like you and me believe in the protection of our country. Again, WELCOME back, see you soon.
CBPO/ Retired 1sg Rafael Guzman-Aponte
Rafael Guzman-Aponte (Sent Jan 24, 2007 11:36:38 AM)
Welcome home brother. Job very well done!I too am an employee of U.S. Customs in WPB Fl. and also was a returning Viet-Nam Marine Corp. Vet. You make us all very proud especialy your brothers from Nam. Good luck and please stay healthy.
Tony Gregorio, Boca Raton Fl. (Sent Jan 24, 2007 8:58:52 AM)
Dan, The uniform be it Army green or Customs blue matters not. You did the job and did it right. See you in Feb DE OPPRESO LIBER
Frank Will (Sent Jan 24, 2007 8:17:07 AM)
I am struck by the ignorant arrogance of Mr. Ailsworth who seems to think he knows what Dan experienced when returning from Vietnam. The cruelty these patriots experienced (my husband was spat upon when he came home) has been an understandable source of great bitterness for many of them. I think your indication that Dan was untruthful about this shows you to be small and simply mean.
Dan, you have my heartfelt admiration and gratitude. Welcome home.
Mary, Miami Florida (Sent Jan 24, 2007 8:16:50 AM)
Welcome back Dan, I wish you a speedy recovery and hope to touch base with you some day. Remember me from K-9 school El Paso TX. take care and GOD Bless.
joe giron, San Diego, California (Sent Jan 24, 2007 3:54:52 AM)
Thank you sir for duty well done.May your life be blessed.
John S Mayhew,Aubrn Wash. (Sent Jan 24, 2007 3:13:48 AM)
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