Navy SEAL proves it can be attempted:
He’d been shot eight times in Iraq and had undergone nearly two-dozen operations. One bullet had taken off part of his cheek and nose. He was destined for reconstructive surgery in a few days…
Yet he didn’t feel sorry for himself. He was full of charisma, confidence, cockiness and joy. After all, he confided, when you’re a wounded Seal, the world’s best doctors want to operate on you so they can brag about it. Besides, he explained, he was just showing that a Seal really could catch bullets with his teeth.
He said that after a couple more procedures, he’d “be back in the game.” I asked what he meant. He was amused and said he was going back into action. “My team needs me,” he said before letting out a laugh. But you knew he meant it, and you knew his team did need him…
On his hospital door in Baghdad, had been a sign:
(Visitors shouldn’t) “feel sorry” for him. “The wounds I received,” he wrote, “I got in a job I love, doing it for people I love, supporting the freedom of a country I deeply love. I am incredibly tough.” And on his sign he promised “a full recovery” and wrote that his hospital room was a place of “fun, optimism, and intense rapid regrowth. If you are not prepared for that, GO ELSEWHERE.” He signed it “The Management.”
Hooyah.
I read about this gentleman a month or so ago, and was greatly charmed by his courage and arrogance. And shed a tear or two as well. Where do we get such men? All of you, Lex and his kindly courteous commenters, come from the same rare bloodline. America never has enough of you, but the wise among us treasure you more than fine gold.
And all of you who go, have fun at Bondi Beach. I’d wave you off with a smile, if you belonged to me. They say travel broadens one. And you might find you miss us old girls back here After awhile.
Marianne
The full article is a MUST READ!
Great men, doing great things. For us.
We must never forget, and never fail to honor and appreciate their service. And sacrifices.
And, the bad guys better never forget that men like this are out there…
Marianne: “Where do we get such men? ”
I came here to say those exact words. We are indeed fortunate to be protected by soldiers like these.
I’m just glad they’re guys like him so fraidy-cats like me who can’t stand the sight of blood can join the Air Force. For most of us its alive one moment and dead the next–and nothing in between. Very few purple hearts given out except posthumously with modern weapons systems.
(PS It must be hereditary, my father was a decorated and wounded Inf Company CO in the ETO in WWII and years later still couldn’t stand the sight of blood. He used to say that “after all I saw in Europe you’d think I’d have gotten hardened to it–don’t know how I managed in the war.” I myself am still super squeamish about even needles for shots–my wife the Nurse just laughs at me..)
He got his wounds doing what he wanted to: taking the fight to the enemy.
Back in 2004 there was a straight-leg Army soldier in a foot chase after a muj. He turned the corner and found himself face-to-muzzle with the muj’s 9mm. The muj fired, the soldier fell–and then spat out his tooth, cursing and fuming. When he started to get back up again the muj threw down the weapon and ran away. The bullet remained in the tooth socket, was extracted later that day, a retainer with a new tooth was made for the soldier, and he returned to duty all within a day. One tough SOB.
So floss, dammit!
God at first I was nervous to click on the link – it sounded like this incredible individual had died.
Glad I clicked – my god where do they come from???
For those interested, here’s a pic of the sign in question.
http://www.rivenrock.com/blogsealsign.jpg
God Bless the Navy SEALs.