Paddling Furiously

This weekend, Dan sent me a quick blurb about a guy in his company who saved many of his brothers lives through his actions. Because of this, I have been thinking long and hard about heroes - especially unsung heroes.

 

This week's Hero of the Battle of RC-East is U.S. Army Private 1st Class
Wallace Santos, of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment,
4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. While on patrol in eastern Logar
Province, Santos' platoon was ambushed. The heavy volume of RPG and PKM
fire pinned his squad behind a dirt berm. The platoon sergeant attempted
several times to make his way to the machine gun team at the front of
the formation to assist with movement to a position to return fire at
the enemy, however, he was unable to move due to the accuracy and volume
of enemy fire. Santos, realizing the dire situation he and his platoon
were in, immediately stood up and began to fire his M249 at the enemy
position with a cyclic rate of fire. His suppression caught the enemy
off guard and allowed his team leader to rotate up and engage with his
M320 and rifle. The machine gun team was able to get into the fight and
shoot several bursts, which caused the enemy to break contact. His quick
and decisive actions undoubtedly saved the lives of his comrades.

The longer I thought about it, the more I realized that heroes are typically average people who act extraordinarily in extreme circumstances - not that "superhero" perception I'd been tossing around before. However, I realize that a lot of normal people act extraordinarily all the time because their personal situation warrants it.

As I look around at so many people being cool, calm, collected and then look closer at their circumstances, I have to say that I do not give people the credit they deserve. Whenever I think of them, I think of the visual of the duck: smooth on the surface but paddling furiously underneath the water.

All the guys in B Co, 3-7... heroes. They are seeing and doing so much, they are putting themselves out there and giving it their all, they are always in danger. Four of them already have PHs, all of them are standing by one another, carrying on, and completing the missions in front of them without pause because that's what they were tasked to do - and want to do - no matter how hard it is. The ability to go for such a long period of time while maintaining such focus in variable and questionable circumstances is amazing to me. They are out there to keep those of us here safe, and for those people there who are relying on their success for even the smallest semblance of the safety we have here in the US. Prior to a previous deployment, I asked my husband if he would still do this if he knew he wasn't going to come back - if he would be willing to leave his life, his wife, his family, his future behind knowing he'd die. His answer was something like this: "I would rather stand up for my country, do what she asks, give my all, do what is right, defend those who can't defend themselves, and give it all than sit here and watch someone else do it for me...knowing I could have and I should have."

I couldn't argue with that.

Although very different from the tales of battle, I heard stories this weekend from one of my very best friends and gained insight into his father's strength, bravery, and persistence; he did everything possible in the toughest of circumstances, gave up everything and risked even more for his child, and raised a son who looks up to his dad more than anyone else. JT's dad is a hero for sure.

Driving around RH, I see tons of ladies with their "Army Wife" sticker on their car, 2 kids in the back seat, and the look of exhaustion on their face. Their husbands are gone, just like mine. They deal with sickness, death, fear, stress, and all of the difficulties of life alone... and make it seem effortless. They are heroes too.

And all of these people.... they do not ask for credit, they do not "toot their own horn," they do not see themselves as any different or any better than anyone else. Their selflessness and perseverance affect those around them so greatly that there is no way they shouldn't be seen as superhuman. After all, our lives aren't changed for the better by mediocre people.

I'm not sure what this has to do with CrossFit or working out. Actually, it has nothing to do with it, but it was on my heart because I have recently been amazed by the strength and courage and fortitude of so many people in my life...I had to share it.