A hero of mine passed away early last November. He was the former Democratic senator from Georgia, Max Cleland. I want to share some poignant and meaningful memories with you along with the reflections that followed them.
I met Max decades ago at a book signing in Atlanta. Max’s book Stronger at the Broken Places had just been published. This book was the story of Max’s recovery after being wounded in Vietnam. A few days after Captain Max Cleland was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action, a grenade dropped near his feet. It blew off both of his legs and one arm. The book was about his courageous journey into becoming stronger at his broken places, including his realization that he had sacrificed so much for a mistake. In his short military career, he was also awarded the Bronze Star with a “V” signifying acts of valor in combat, the Soldier’s Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Keep these honors in mind because they clearly define the man who was outrageously slandered later in his life in politics.
As Max recovered from his wounds, he entered politics and became a Georgia state senator. Then he became the administrator of the United States Veteran Administration, and later Secretary of State of Georgia. In 1996 he became a United States senator by putting his heart and soul into a tough campaign.
Then, in the dramatic Clinton presidency years my wife and I were invited by a close friend to meet and discuss our book, Like Gold Through Fire: Understanding the Transforming Power of Suffering, with the Adult Forum of the Foundry United Methodist Church in downtown D.C. It was the church of the President and well-known politicians. During the service we sat behind the First Lady Hilary Clinton and her daughter, separated by one row that had secret service agents in it. After the service our friend introduced us to the First Lady. As we turned away from talking with her there was Senator Max Cleland in his wheel chair, glowing with vitality and open to talking with us. That was the last time I saw him in person.
I remember that while he was a senator Esquire Magazine wrote an extensive article on what a day in his life was like. It was a hero’s journey. In fact, I thought getting dressed in the morning was a hero’s journey for Max.
In 2002 Max ran again in what became another tough race. As was his nature, he put his heart and soul into it. Then, at the last moment, his opponent ran TV ads featuring pictures of Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein and insinuating Max was soft on terrorism. These ads savaged a true hero. Two other heroic veterans, Senators John McCain and Chuck Hegel, forced the ads to be pulled but the damage was done and the path American politics was taking was clear. My eyes became wet as the shock of his defeat hit me. I had a hard time believing the people I grew up with and lived with for so many years—citizens of the richest, strongest nation in history—could so easily be thrown into fear that they would react so shamefully.
Max went through a dark, broken-hearted period. I wonder at times myself how much courage life can demand of one person. He wrote another book about this journey, Heart of a Patriot: How I Found the Courage to Survive Vietnam, Walter Reed, and Karl Rove. Then he went on to continue serving his country, especially veterans, and all of us in a number of key government positions by presidential appointment. Max was a true hero for the way he encountered great suffering of body and soul and had his heart transformed by it. He was also a great hero because so much of his suffering came from his commitment to a life of service, yet he continued devoting his life to public service.
You likely recognize that the title of Max’s first book came from that wonderful passage by Ernest Hemingway—in his book A Farewell to Arms—based on his own recovery from the wounds of war he received as a young man. The passage reads:
If people bring so much courage to this world the world has to kill them to break them, so of course it kills them. The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.
When I reflect on this passage two thoughts occur to me. First, the world only killed Max for moments in his life, but his spirit still lives in those of us who remember him. And second, are we going to come out of this period in our history stronger at the broken places?
Articles by Drs. Bud and Massimilla Harris
, America, being human, citizenship, life of meaning
12 Responses to “Stronger at the Broken Places: Remembering Max Cleland”
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Probably not in my lifetime (78) which is sad …. very sad !!
Yes, Karen, this is a sad time. It is good to hear from you, and I hope Max is giving us an example that in the midst of accepting our sorrow we must seek healing and new life.
Thanks for this piece and sharing about your experience with Max Cleland. Living in the world with integrity, authenticity and a desire to make a difference requires courage. For as disconnected as our world seems, locally and globally, people like Max leave a big hole in the forest and close the gap of disconnection. As Rumi says” Only the best die for love” and we’re not talking just physical death. Grazie mille!
Prego, Blase. I deeply appreciate the depth of your response, the challenge and the risk the better parts of ourselves need to face.
Powerful experience and story. How many true heroes have caught such fear and hostility? Thanks, Bud
Thank you, Keith, for an important statement for us to reflect on. Why do “we the people” stand for such vicious attacks on people trying to be good public servants?
I love this. Thank you, Bud. And how timely! As i myself breathe into this time in America’s history, and do what I can do. Thank you for the deep inspiration.
I’m glad to know you are there, Pat, and that as you breathe into this time I know your breath is carrying healing and hope into our lives.
Thank you Dr. Harris …
One of the most hopeful and important lessons that Max has to teach us is the power of the unsuspected inner resource that lies within us all. How our lives are less about what happens to us and more about how we respond to what happens to us. The greatness of this man and what he has accomplished is revealed in his ability to find unique and novel ways of seeing/acting on what is possible even when others can only see what’s not possible. Finally, he is a poignant testament to how powerful a single person can be to inspire, to lead, to encourage … and how whatever is collective among us begins with what lies most deeply (often hidden and unrecognizable) within us.
A good reminder from you, Bruce, of how powerful a single person—each one of us in our own unique way—can find what is hidden within us, often through challenges and grief, and bless the world. Many thanks.
What a great reminder of a very strong person and spirit! Yes, and your reminder of Cleland certainly does keep his spirit alive. Your story helps to keep us all focusing on the healing within each of us instead of the broken parts of ourselves. Thanks for the reminder.
Thank you, Sim, for your reminder to us to keep our focus on healing within ourselves and strengthening our spirit instead of on the repair of brokenness.