‘Deeper Meaning to Heroism’: How a Couple Overcame Veteran’s Devastating Injuries

Swinford served in Bosnia and commanded a battalion in Afghanistan after 9/11. But it was his time training the Iraqi National Army in Baghdad from 2007 to 2008 that most tested his mettle. He was one of fewer than 100 U.S. American soldiers on a base of around 5,000 Iraqis during a civil war between Sunnis and Shia.

“The base got rocketed several times and took small arms fire. Iraqi soldiers were killed on the compound,” Swinford told AARP Veteran Report. “Whenever the Iraqis would go on operations, I would go with them.

“We frequently encountered small arms fire, grenades and IEDs of all types — vehicle, suicide vests, roadside bombs, anti-armor IED’s. Once we supported a Special Operations team capturing a Shiite militia member from inside our own base where he was serving in the intelligence section of the Iraqi division headquarters.”

He was in a convoy traveling to the Green Zone when an IED exploded between his Humvee and the vehicle in front of him, wounding its gunner and commander. Swinford awarded the two soldiers the Purple Heart.

Swinford, 60, who retired from the Army in 2012, now exercises at the MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Washington, D.C., twice a week. A personal trainer visits his home once or twice a week and he also exercises on his own once a week.

“In all these years he has never missed a single session, even when he’s sick,” Pam, 59, told AARP Veteran Report.

Swinford no longer breathes with a ventilator and he does regular sit-to-stands as well as leg weightlifting, balancing exercises and transfers from walker to therapy table. He has walked as far as 200 feet.

He has embraced technology and remains as fit and healthy as possible so he will be a viable candidate for breakthrough treatment, if and when it becomes available.

Inspired by his father, 2nd Lt. Ethan Swinford, 23, now serves in the 3rd Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas.

Pam and Phil Swinford, who will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary next year, still feel guilty about the time they spent away from Ethan and his sister Gillian, 30, after the accident.

“They have also sacrificed for their country,” said Pam.

Ethan does not see it that way. “You were helping my dad so he could get better and come and be with me,” he told his mother.

Phil and Pam Swinford in the backyard of their home.

Greg Kahn

Swinford would rather talk about his wife than himself. She essentially put her own life on hold, resigning from the town council, stepping away from her business and becoming his constant advocate at the VA.

Instead of accepting advice that Swinford live in an institution — which he believes would have killed him — Pam oversaw an addition to their house being built. Now, she helps other spouses navigate the VA.

All this has made Swinford reflect deeply on the nature of bravery. “Neither one of us stood knee-deep in grenade pins while holding off hordes of insurgents, or continued to fight after being wounded multiple times, but I think there is a deeper meaning to heroism than the visual those words create,” he said.

“The heroes are the soldiers who put their lives on the line and the many advocates for veterans including the Wounded Warrior Project, Paralyzed Veterans of America, most VA doctors, nurses, therapists and caregivers,” he said. “Spouses like Pam, and my children.”

He added: “I am not a hero. I am a survivor.”

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