And They Say Sports Stars are Heroes

People call sports stars heroes, throwing that word around like it is some badge of honor, as if batting 1000, or selling stadium seats and signing a good mulit-million dollar contract is what makes a hero. To me, the true sense of the man is not the talents ot abilities. The true man is the choices that he makes.

There are over one million heroes today, who have worn the uniform of their nation, selflessly laying their lives on the line for their homeland, their people, their flag, their nation. To me, someone who humbly, selflessly serves another, even unto death, is a hero.

How we stain the word by tossing it around like it means nothing..."Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for another" John 15:13.

Look at the following heroes, studs, lions among men who had shown the true mettle of a man, not on a sports field, but the field of ultimate measure, the battlefield. God bless these men, and may God Bless America with continued bearing of courageous, faithful men such as these. Wthout heroes how would we know what we are capable of? I'd rather emulate one of these studs than someone who bats 1ooo, but is also addicted to cocaine, got arrested for beatinh his girlfriend and doesn't know what a real job is.

The Citation

Mitchell, Mark E.Major, US Army (Special Forces)HQ & HQ, 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)Date Of Action: November 25 - 28, 2001
Citation:Major Mark E. Mitchell, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 3d Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), during the period of 25 to 28 November 2001, distinguished himself while engaged in combat operations during Operation Enduring Freedom. As the Ground Force Commander of a rescue operation during the Battle of Qala-I-Jang Fortress, Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, Major Mitchell ensured the freedom of one American and the posthumous repatriation of another. His unparalleled courage under fire, decisive leadership and personal sacrifice were directly responsible for the success of the rescue operation and were further instrumental in ensuring the city of Mazar-e-Sharif did not fall back in the hands of the Taliban. His personal example has added yet another laurel to the proud military history of this Nation and serves as the standard for all others to emulate. Major Mitchell's gallant deed was truly above and beyond the call of duty and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), the United States Army, and the United States of America.

This major was the operations officer for 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Groups. He personally commanded the combat and rescue operations at Mazar-e-Sharif-you genteal readers may remember that this was where the despicably traitrous American John Lind Walker was captured with his Islamo-Fascist compatriots.

This guy is a stud. Truly a quiet professional. He was a great man who did his job.

An article on him

“It is a tremendous honor,” Mitchell said. “But I don’t consider myself a hero. I am not personally convinced that my actions warranted more than a pat on the back. Wearing the Special Forces foreign-service combat patch on my shoulder and serving with the finest soldiers in the world is enough. I was just doing my job and our mission was accomplished.”

Drive on, Major. This dude is a stud, a hero in the truest sense of the word.

Another Hero in the truest sense of the word

USMC Article

He had his driver move the vehicle through a breach along his flank, where he was immediately taken under fire from an entrenched machine gun. Without hesitation, Chontosh ordered the driver to advanced directly at the enemy position enabling his .50 caliber machine gunner to silence the enemy.He then directed his driver into the enemy trench, where he exited his vehicle and began to clear the trench with an M16A2 service rifle and 9 millimeter pistol. His ammunition depleted, Chontosh, with complete disregard for his safety, twice picked up discarded enemy rifles and continued his ferocious attack.When a Marine following him found an enemy rocket propelled grenade launcher, Chontosh used it to destroy yet another group of enemy soldiers.When his audacious attack ended, he had cleared over 200 meters of the enemy trench, killing more than 20 enemy soldiers and wounding several others.

Semper Fi, Captain! This stud comes from my neck of the woods outside of Rochester New York. This is the epitome of heroism and courage under fire. Not the lack of fear but the counquering of fear by something deeper insider. Those outside of uniform will never understand that.