Terri Russell has an inspiring and heart-warming story up over at kolotv.com. I met Norris a few years ago when I was stationed near Walter Reed. I had the pleasure of taking him and his wife, Janis, to visit the Caisson platoon on Fort Myers while he was recovering. It was an awesome experience both for me and them. They are true horse lovers. Enjoy the story. I’ll have photos soon.
The emotional connection between people and their pets is undeniable.
Most of us go to great lengths to ensure our pets are healthy, happy and safe. Some will even travel 2300 miles one way. That’s the story behind one man’s search for a horse he let go ten years ago.
47 Year old Norris Galatas is an Army veteran of 27 years. Injured in Iraq four years ago, he spent most of that time at Walter Reed Hospital undergoing dozens of surgeries. During his stay, he had a lot to think about. More times than not those thoughts turned to his filly Sugar who he was convinced, needed to come back home to Mississippi.
“Take her home and she can be with her momma and her half sister,” says Norris.
It doesn’t get much farther away from Meridian Mississippi than the outskirts of Reno.
But Norris Galatas is on a mission, to find a horse he let go ten years ago. He raised her as a baby and has only ten year old pictures to go by.
“She hasn’t changed much, other than getting bigger and she looks just like her mother,” says Norris
His search for Sugar began in earnest two years ago, when he tracked her down to Northern Nevada. As fortune would have it, his friend P.J. Degross would just happen to live near Reno and help him make contact with the present owner.
“Happy to see him, friends forever, right?” says P.J
“Yep,” says Norris.
Norris traveled 23-hundred miles over the Thanksgiving weekend to pickup Sugar, sleeping on his army cot in the back of the trailer to save on expenses.
“Wyoming up in the mountains it was really cold, it got down to 12 degrees at night,” says Norris.
But all the miles and cold weather would melt away as he gets his first glimpse of the horse he’s waited years to re-connect with.
“That’s a good girl,” Norris says as he talks to Sugar.
“I think so yea,” Norris says when asked if he thinks the horse recognizes him.
“Yes it was worth it, I was about to cry, It’s so good to see her again, but she’s going to have a great life,”
Norris leads Sugar into the trailer he brought from Mississippi. Home is where they are headed.
Norris and Sugar are together once again. With Sugar’s babies, and Norris’s I.E.D injury, they will not doubt have a lot to talk about what’s transpired over the last ten years.
Thanks for the post, CJ. Norris and I enjoyed meeting you and your son and we need to get together again. It was great for him to meet PJ in person…he is her first hero. People who do not own pets will never understand the bond with that loyal and kind animal who stands pressing close to your side while you cry, licks the tears away and gives you kisses all over your face…then takes your discipline, bears your anger, tolerates your forgetfullness and neglect, yet still wags his tail or nickers to you when you come out to the fence with treats. How many hours I’ve cried my heart out while my faithful horses pressed their muzzles against my cheek and licked away my tears. Part of what kept Norris from giving up at Walter Reed was knowing he wanted all his horses home. He kept that drive going as much for them as for me. Tell your bloggers about his story “A SOLDIER’S COURAGE” available on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Soldiers-Courage-Janis-W-Galatas/dp/141967952X# I think they will enjoy it. Thanks for being our friend.
Such a good story. I remember when Norris was injured – was regularly reading a blog by one of his buddies (can’t remember who, of course). So glad to see him out & about.