Why is it important to be independent?

Independent – To me is a property which goes far beyond the definition and scope of all physiologist and researchers. Today travelling back from my office I experienced one in its kind.
My train like usual in its sense was stopping at all stations, and adding my irritation like always. Till when it stopped at West Oakland, one of the few stations between my office and home. I saw this tall Naval Marine with his overalls and highly decorated uniform stepping in side and making way. It added more to his smartness when he was wearing his service aviator shades.
First I thought I would look stupid to strike a conversation with him knowing little about forces which were been taught by my brother. My fascination to see uniform could not hold me for long and I approached him, to ask about his line of fire.
Without taking his shades off he looked at me and in a very warm note he introduced himself. Upon revealing that I have no one here and have come from India to work, he confided his own being which left an inspiration.
He was 13 yrs old when his parents separated and dropped him all by himself, to earn for his living. He worked as a travel guide in Los Angeles and collected each penny for his high school. He worked straight hours from there to a community library and often slept in the library reading and preparing for his college. Till when he cleared his SAT and got through Duke University, one sought in its kind. This quality of being independent raised and paid him back when he learned that his tuition is being sponsored by his scholarship. When years went past from Freshmen to Senior he saw the Naval Marines conducting recruitment in his college. With the current need of the hour he resorted to join the Navy to foresee a secured career which could stabilize him for years ahead. Every time I saw him I could only see me, because of his dark shades which added to his personality. He took up great challenges during his course and siege with coming years. Till when I stopped and paused when he said this “I was deployed in Iraq, and I have lost my eyes so don’t wonder why I am wearing these shades in this weather”
I paused for a while and next when I could say anything his destination reached and he stepped out. I could think of no one else than god, and I asked him about his loyalty for people who take it the hard way, but still remain deprived of their “Fruits”?