This Hero Needs a Hero.

My Brother Arlin is truly one of the many unsung heroes of this country. Although to meet him in person, one would never know. The following stories were not divulged freely or voluntarily by my brother. I had to go through our mother, and even then that took some coaxing. 

Arlin is a semi-truck driver.  There are many stereotypes and stigmas going around about semi-truck drivers. The most common truth about semi-truck drivers is what is most widely unknown.  Truck drivers in general are some of the most charitable people I have ever met!  Far more willing to give of their substance than most. If being a truck driver wasn't enough to recognize him as a hero, I have added a few of the many instances where my brother was also a hero . . .

On I-17 in Arizona, a large van full of Indian reservation chidren had gone off the road and rolled over on the cliff’s edge.  Arlin saw this and felt prompted to pull over his semi.  No one else even stopped.  The van was on fire.  There were 12 children and 3 adults.  Arlin jumped out of truck and tried to free the kids, but the doors were jammed.  He only had seconds, not minutes.  He grabbed a piece of equipment from his truck, smashed the rear window and climbed into the truck.  He used a utility knife to cut through the seat belts and pull the children out one by one.  Another driver finally stopped while Arlin was pulling children out and said he couldn’t help because he couldn’t risk the liability.  He did call 911 and emergency help arrived over 30 minutes later.  Arlin, alone, saved everyone but the driver.  At risk of his own life, he pulled the dead female driver out of the flames so her body would be preserved for her loved ones.  Some of the children and adults were severely injured.  Without thought of infection, Arlin wound up covered with blood. Immediately after hauling out the dead woman, the van exploded into flames and was completely engulfed.  Once the children were out, Arlin cut up all his clothes into strips to bind the wounds and slow the bleeding.  He gave up all his food and water to provide for them.  He held one little girl who was most severely injured, including protruding bones.  He comforted her, promising her that she would be just fine.  All the lives were saved except the driver.  Arlin never expected any thanks or recognition. 

While driving with CRST, Arlin stopped for fuel in Laramie Wyoming.  He noticed that two men carried a little girl into the men’s bathroom. He then noticed that they left the bathroom without the child and sat down for a meal.  He felt prompted to look in the bathroom.  He found the child, tied to the toilet seat with duck tape over her mouth.  Arlin cut through her bonds and rushed her into the manager’s office.  He just burst in and told the manager to call the police.  The police said there was a kidnapping with a child of that description and a stolen vehicle of that description.  Arlin told the manager to get on the CB and call all truckers to seal off the road.  All the truckers pulled out of their spaces and completely walled off the perimeter of the area.  The kidnappers were stuck. The police arrived to find the criminals surrounded by angry drivers brandishing crowbars.  The mother arrived and the manager gave Arlin the full credit for saving the child.  After that, every time Arlin stopped at that truck stop, that manager gave him a free meal! While this was a nice gesture, Arlin was completely satisfied with just serving and helping others.

In Mississippi after witnessing a car running off the road, Arlin pulled over his truck, called 911, and pulled the woman out of the car.  She was bleeding profusely, and Arlin did all he could do to stop the bleeding from a huge gash in her abdomen, but it was no use.  He comforted her while she died in his arms.  This experience was extremely traumatic and he has suffered emotionally ever since because of it.  It’s called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  He has received no help whatsoever other than strength and support from his family and faith. 

There have been so many incidents that are equal to a battlefield experience.  Accident after accident.

In Ohio, on the turnpike, in the dead of winter, a car with children slid off the road in a snow storm.  Arlin pulled his Semi Truck over, put his triangles out, and disconnected the trailer in the bitter cold. He brought the mother and children into his warm truck.  He used his chains to tow the car out of the ditch with his Bob Tail.  He checked out the car to make sure it could be driven.   Between the little money Arlin had and the woman had, they were able to buy the chains, and Arlin put them on in the bitter cold so she could get safely home for Christmas.  Arlin had no dinner that night.

These are just a few of the countless instances that make my brother Arlin a hero in every sense of the word. I have no doubt that there are others that he will not talk about. 

In addition to this, Arlin has also proven to be a very loving and gentle father to a little boy who desperately loves and needs his daddy. 

Arlin has tremendous compassion and charity.  Arlin freely gives to others without taking thought for himself.  As a result, Arlin as not been able to procure insurance, or developed a savings account for emergencies or times of need.  

As of July 7th 2017 Arlin was diagnosed with colon cancer.  As of right now it is believed that he is in early stage 3 cancer.  His cancer is treatable, if we take action fast. Arlin, unfortunately, does not have insurance, nor does he have a wealthy family. Arlin's treatment will be extremely costly with the extensive surgery and chemo.  Best case scenario, half his colon will be removed.

Never in Arlin's life has there been a person in need that he hasn’t helped.  If he sees a need, he helps.  It is simple, he just acts. 

Now is our time to follow Arlin's example. Now is our time to help my brother, who is in serious need of a band of heros.

Every donation that is received will go 100% to Arlin's treatment. No donation will be unappreciated, or underappreciated. If ever there was a person who needs a hero it is my younger brother Arlin. I invite you to be his hero, and help out in whatever way you can. 

Thank you for your love and support.