Originally Posted by
sojourner truth
Thanks for the reminder and notice Larry...
I too was the recipient of this sort of heroism when medevac and other chopper pilots came through a hail of gunfire, mortar rounds, and other obstacles to get my unit off the top of a lonely, about to be overrun fire support base. The medics and pilots risked their lives to evacuate us all, and then there were the pilots that carried the command and staff officers who were left behind to check to make sure everyone was off the top of that hill.
Guts like that are rare. I have even had the opportunity to personally meet and thank a few of the medics who took care of us as we piled onto their aircraft. It was a bloody mess, but they all were totally dedicated to getting us all of there alive... and they did it.
And they did it only a few times... To do it over and over again is what true dedication is all about. And I learned that true bravery is not saying "I am not afraid" but being afraid and doing what is needed regardless of the fear and risk.
Nowadays the term "hero" is widely and loosely used to describe a lot of people... In the case of Cpt. Freeman, the term is almost an understatement.