Part One

Prior to reading this post, I suggest you first read last week’s blog: Nancy Mathis, The Epitome of an Extraordinary Military Wife. It’s a tribute to Nancy. Her story is worthy of your time. This approach will give you deeper insight into what I will share about her husband of 68 years, Colonel (Chaplain) Roy N. Mathis.

In essence, Chaplain Roy is a personal hero of my husband Frank and me, having saved Frank’s life in Vietnam in 1969. To this day, Chaplain Roy remains our dear friend and hero. Were it not for his extraordinary courage and personal commitment to his soldiers’ well-being while actively traversing the difficult terrain, stifling humidity, and murky ‘rules of engagement’ within America’s unpopular war of Vietnam, I believe Frank would not have survived and our family would not exist. In our 54 years of marriage, this truth was never more apparent than in May of this year, when we traveled to their home state of South Carolina to attend Nancy’s funeral.    

Nancy had been in and out of the hospital since January of this year. For 68 years, she and Chaplain Roy had intentionally formed a magical bond of love that survived the challenges required of military couples. Their unwavering commitment to serve our nation, each other, as well as their community, led them to become positive role models for many. 

We arrived in Gaffney, SC, the afternoon before Nancy’s funeral. We checked into our hotel and called the Chaplain; not surprisingly, he was at the funeral home. We anticipated a broken heart, but what we did not expect was to see Chaplain Roy, black and blue, with a huge knot on his forehead, and his right arm in a sling, standing vigil beside Nancy’s casket. She had fiercely fought not to leave her beloved husband. 

He shared with us that two days prior, as he was leaving Nancy’s hospital room, his ankle failed, and he fell. The result was severe bruising and a broken right shoulder. The doctors said his injuries would require surgery followed by several weeks of rehab. Nancy had already stopped eating at this point. Chaplain Roy responded with steely determination, “I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying beside my wife. Just patch me up.”  

Begrudgingly, that’s what his doctors did, and amazingly, it’s what Chaplain Roy did! Despite almost unbearable pain, he remained beside his beloved wife until God called her home. 

In subsequent blogs, I will expand this story to examine common characteristics of extraordinary warrior spouses. In the interim, I welcome your input: www.dorothyguybonvillain.com 

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