The Patriot Post® · Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

My mind was reeling as I lay on the ground, covered in blood. It happened so quickly, but my mind moved in slow motion. I lay on the ground, jungle on one side, rice paddies on the other, with no idea how many enemy soldiers were in front of me.

I’m not sure if my life flashed before my eyes, but I knew I was going to die on this spot. I was a 22-year-old Marine sergeant whose luck had run out. As pain racked my body, I closed my eyes, just wanting it to finally be over.

Suddenly, I was being dragged across the open ground while the sound of gunfire filled my ears over the ringing from the explosion. Fearing it was the enemy who had me, I looked up and saw the face of a brother in arms looking down at me with compassion in his eyes. A 21-year-old Navy corpsman and a 19-year-old lance corporal ran across an open field, exposing themselves to enemy fire to pull me to safety. Their actions saved my life!

Above and beyond: I have personally witnessed many actions that would qualify for that label, not just in the Marine Corps and in combat, but in everyday life. Police officers and firefighters do it daily as they put themselves in harm’s way for others. How quickly the Left has turned the admiration and respect for our first responders after 9/11 into the hatred it has manufactured over the past few years.

As I wrote last week, I had the honor of being part of the homecoming for fallen Marine Rylee McCollum in his hometown of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. None of the 13 fallen warriors had to be in Afghanistan. We have an all-volunteer military, among the finest in the world!

This past week, I listened to Medal of Honor recipient Kyle Carpenter share at the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center’s (MOHHC) “Celebration of Valor” luncheon. I’m honored to be a part of this organization. The MOHHC teaches the seven Character Qualities that have been exhibited in the lives of nearly 3,500 recipients of the Medal of Honor.

Cpl. Carpenter placed himself in front of an enemy grenade to save the life of his buddy. My twin brother, also a man I admire greatly, threw himself on a grenade in Vietnam and was recommended for the Medal of Honor. But by God’s grace, the grenade failed to explode and he received the Navy Cross.

While the men I mentioned above willingly placed themselves in harm’s way for our country, top military leaders continue to deflect any blame for the botched Afghanistan debacle. People of all political affiliation say the Kabul disaster did not have to happen. However, we will probably never see anyone take responsibility for it. Lacking the courage of those sent into harm’s way, the top brass continues to blame others, saying, “It’s Trump’s fault!”

Our top brass should be more concerned with keeping America safe from our enemies and ensuring our troops have everything they need. They’re spending so much time being “woke” instead of preparing our Armed Forces to defend our nation. In spite of the phonies at the top, we still have those in the ranks that give their all for their country.

“Greater love hath no one than this, that one lay down his life for friends.” —John 13:15

Something to think about?