Throughout our Flags for Heroes campaign, we've had the privilege of learning about the incredible veterans who have served our country with courage and dedication. These stories, filled with sacrifice and resilience, serve as a powerful reminder of the true meaning of patriotism.
We are honored to share the story of Paul Legrand, a man whose loyalty, dedication, and selflessness know no bounds.
Story submitted by Debbie Legrand “My best friend Stephen Nix is a loyal, dedicated, kindhearted, soul to the earth human being. He sacrificed his life and all he had for the people he loves and for his country and what he believed in. He would give his last dollar to someone that needed it more than him even if he knew and it meant he had nothing left and it would make him suffer. He lives his life to help and do everything he can for others to better their lives every chance he is given. The stories he has shared are unimaginable and so heartbreaking. One could never imagine the horrific things he or any other soldier went through for our country and our people to better our lives unless you have been in the boots of a soldier and walked through what they did. Soldiers leave home but never come back the same but still try to continue living the life they left like nothing happened and that is the hardest thing. Stephen watched his best friend, the only person he could truly trust get blown up and watch him die and take his last breath in front of him. He was the last person his best friend saw. He faced death day to day knowing he could be next and not make it back home to his kids and family. He knew what he signed up for but he didn’t really truly know until he lost all he had, saw what he saw and everything he went through but he still says to this day he doesn’t regret it and he was meant to do it. He would give his last dying breath to protect his family, friends, and the people he cares about. He would give up everything all over again. He has a saying he always tells me, “being a solider makes you different, you are never the same after and some stories you just can’t share no matter how bad you want to. It changes you and living with the PTSD from the war is a war on its own, you never forget the things you have to do, see, smell or experience in the war and it haunts us soldiers for the rest of our lives but in the end I did what I was meant to do in life and I don’t regret a thing and never will.” Only soldiers know the true pain of war and we can’t even imagine it. Stephen Nix is one of the best people I know and he deserves to be nominated for his courage, loyalty, sacrifice and for all he lost. He definitely is a blessing and anyone would be blessed to know him."
Thank you, Paul, for your honorable service, sacrifice, and dedication.