When life gets tough: Travis Mills starts walking again.

I've been meaning to post about this story for a while. When I watched this video, I couldn't wait any longer.

Michael Murphy and the Ultimate Sacrifice: A Navy Seal on a Mission.

Read Lone Survivor? The harrowing story of a Navy Seal team on a special mission takes Marcus Luttrell to the brink of death. His comrades, however, never made it to tell the story.
 
After long months of preparation and elite training, they thought they were ready for anything.

On June 27, 2005, Lieutenant Michael Murphy was called to make the ultimate sacrifice. As part of the four-man SEAL team that infiltrated deep into the Afghan mountains in Operation Redwing, he made a phone call that would cost him his life to give his comrades a chance of rescue.

From the citation

Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men. When the primary communicator fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant Murphy repeatedly attempted to call for assistance for his beleaguered teammates.

Realizing the impossibility of communicating in the extreme terrain, and in the face of almost certain death, he fought his way into open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call. This deliberate, heroic act deprived him of cover, exposing him to direct enemy fire. Finally achieving contact with his headquarters, Lieutenant Murphy maintained his exposed position while he provided his location and requested immediate support for his team.

For more information.

Feb. 3, National Holiday? Four Soldiers and Men of God and their Ultimate Sacrifice.

I just missed a National Holiday. February 3rd came and went just like any other day despite the unanimous resolution of the American Congress in 1988.

Feb. 3, 1943, when one of the most remarkable and inspiring acts of heroism in the history of warfare took place during World War II. It is a day to honor the heroism of the Four Chaplains, who selflessly gave their lives “that others may live.”

Phil Mulryne: What to do with our lives? Vocation and discernment are for everyone.

Phil had it made. He was 18 and playing for Manchester United, one of the most respected football (soccer, for us Americans) teams in Europe. He had already played on their youth team for a couple of years. What more could a guy want?

But vying for midfield with David Beckham, Paul Scholes, and losing out on playing time wasn't exactly a glorious career. He moved to a much smaller club in hope of a little time on the field. But things didn't get better. Injury struck, more than once. As he moved from team to team, he wasn't getting playing time or recognition. What was he to do with his life?

To the death: Navy Seal, Praetorian Guard, and a Man on a Mission

"Amazing, I thought to myself," as we walked through the Church. "He's not here, he's actually not here." He'd seemed to follow us to all the rest of the Churches, and there was really no avoiding him.

It's not that he was that unpleasant, and in fact his story was rather interesting. It was just surprising that he popped up everywhere. Then just as I turned, I saw him again.

Chad Regelin: Going Home

"Feels like home." This doesn't happen right away. We move to a new city, a new apartment, or just remodel the kitchen, and it takes a while to warm-up to it, so that it feels like home.

But honestly, there's always something. We have to make it more like HOME. Put in some last minute furnishings, change the color scheme, or complete the household - but it is never quite HOME, completely.

Running, running - where? A 180 for Tony Harris.

Private Tony Harris was running, running as fast as he could. After a loud explosion nearby, his instincts took over. Or was it instinct to run towards the trouble?

He ran twice the length of a football field amid the falling bombs. Screams, smoke, and confusion! It was difficult to see where anyone was.

Medal of Honor: Sal, a Real Soldier

 

October 25, 2007 - What to do? Sal could hardly think. As he walked with some fellow soldiers back to the outpost, the night suddenly erupted around them.

There were more bullets in the air than stars in the sky, everywhere - in front, behind, below, above. Everyone hit the dirt in an instant, almost everyone. Where were Josh and Frank?