“I think of what my parents and my siblings and my friends went through,” he said. “That’s the hardest part of it all to me as I look back over 50 years.” “Denny came back with such a positive focus-forward attitude,” said Katsur. “Denny made it easy for all of us. Here he was, wounded on the battlefield, sent to multiple hospitals, and he’s worried about his family. That’s who he is. He has strength. In his darkest hour, he was thinking about family.” Still, he says he wouldn’t change a thing. “I’d do it all over again. I don’t regret my time in the military; I don’t regret my time in Vietnam. I was there for my country, I have a deep faith in God, and I felt that whatever was going to be was going to be. I was just a small part of it,” Joyner said. “[My Alive Day] is a celebration of life. I know how fortunate I was. God had a different plan for my life; I was able to survive. It’s been a good life.” Watch Video Online To watch Dennis Joyner reunite with the medic who saved his life, visit dav.la/yl. ■ Left: National Commander Dennis Nixon (back row, third from left) celebrates his election to the organization's highest post at the 2018 National Convention in Reno, Nev., alongside his family. Right: Marine Sgt. Dennis Nixon (center) during his second tour in Vietnam in May 1969. From near death to rebirth: National Commander Dennis Nixon recalls ‘Alive Day’ The year that changed Dennis Joyner’s life marked the height of the Vietnam War. Like many reading this article, I was in country at that time. On June 5, 1969, on my second combat tour, I tripped a “booby trap.” Today they’d call it an IED—improvised explosive device—but the outcome was similar. The next 18 months were spent in various hospitals in different states of surgery, recovery and rehabilitation. On Dec. 12, my leg was amputated due to the injuries I sustained, and I knew my life was forever changed. I haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about that day that changed my life’s trajectory 50 years ago, but I have given a lot of thought to how those events led to the fulfilling life I have been lucky to lead today. One cannot change that past. Most Vietnam veterans, especially in their earlier years, generally wanted to avoid thinking about the war. But with grace, you can learn to accept what happened and gain perspective on how it impacted your life. In time, I came to look at my injury as a temporary setback that ultimately made me a better person. I was blessed with a new mission to serve my fellow veterans. Over the last half-century, I’ve had the opportunity to give back as a volunteer, mentor and leader for the organization of men and women I hold so close to my heart. I’m blessed with an amazing wife who shares my passions, amazing children and beautiful grandchildren. At the beginning of June each year, I’m thinking about my family. My daughter was born June 6. We laugh and play, eat too much cake and make lasting memories together. While my “Alive Day” isn’t something I’ve ever celebrated, my daughter’s birth was and is a reminder that from devastation comes rebirth. Like many Vietnam veterans, I’m lucky to have survived. But I’m even more fortunate to have led a meaningful life. On the anniversary of my injury, I welcome home my fellow veterans and thank you for your commitment to justice for future generations. 10 DAV MAGAZINE | MAY/JUNE 2019 DAV.ORG