"I'm not going to leave your side."

During an Operation Comfort Warriors donation delivery to a VA medical center in Salisbury, N.C., two men shared a reunion that they never imaged would happen. Photos by Lucas Carter/The American Legion

Keith Melick, Commander of Post 23 in Leavenworth, Kan. (second from left) stands for a group photo next to Roy Wilkins (middle), unaware that the two had met almost ten years ago. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Keith Melick, Commander of Post 23 in Leavenworth, Kan. (second from left) stands for a group photo next to Roy Wilkins (middle), unaware that the two had met almost ten years ago. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
While chatting, Melick, left, and Wilkins, right, realize that their meeting today was far more than coincidence. Wilkinson lost his leg in an IED explosion in Iraq in late November, 2004. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
While chatting, Melick, left, and Wilkins, right, realize that their meeting today was far more than coincidence. Wilkinson lost his leg in an IED explosion in Iraq in late November, 2004. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
“I am the medic that pulled him out (of the truck after the IED attack)
“I am the medic that pulled him out (of the truck after the IED attack)" Keith Melick (left) said. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
“This is awesome to meet him again. Just amazing.” Melick went on to say. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
“This is awesome to meet him again. Just amazing.” Melick went on to say. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
“Man, this is amazing,” said Roy Wilkins. “The Lord works in mysterious ways.” Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
“Man, this is amazing,” said Roy Wilkins. “The Lord works in mysterious ways.” Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Wilkins said the last words Melick spoke to him were, “I am not going to leave your side.” Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Wilkins said the last words Melick spoke to him were, “I am not going to leave your side.” Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
The pair became inseparable after, and both stood in wide-eyed amazement of the two crossing paths again. Their homes separated by over 1,000 miles. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
The pair became inseparable after, and both stood in wide-eyed amazement of the two crossing paths again. Their homes separated by over 1,000 miles. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Both men made similar comments that they contemplated not making the trip that day, but that something compelled them both to be at the Salisbury, N.C. VA medical center. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Both men made similar comments that they contemplated not making the trip that day, but that something compelled them both to be at the Salisbury, N.C. VA medical center. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Melick asked Wilkins if he was a Legionnaire, and after discovering that he was not, Melick paid his first years dues on the spot. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Melick asked Wilkins if he was a Legionnaire, and after discovering that he was not, Melick paid his first years dues on the spot. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
“I take care of you from start to finish.” Melick said to Wilkins. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
“I take care of you from start to finish.” Melick said to Wilkins. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.