A Hero Dies.....

[BoilerDown]

Yes, a hero did die. This is a hero that did not win the Medal of Honor but instead; he earned it. It is sad that he was ignored, not by the media, but all the propoganda people, like this email making the rounds. Instead of posting when he died they find out about it later and then choose to remember him when it can be a gain for thier misguided causes.
The media attention was broad upon his death. A message was also read aloud at the Senate in his home state and in the Congress of these United States. He was well remembered for all that he was; a hero and a soldier.

It would have been a great post if it simply stated the facts; a hero died, let us remember. Sadly, the orignal author published this with a political agenda and a misguided one at that.

Remember the hero, forget the politics. Rest in Peace Mr Freeman, we know you didn't do it for recognition but instead for the same reason as those before you. We can't explain that reason here because those who understand it; need no explanation. Those who do not, never will.  

This is the best post in this thread.

[lunatic1]

 

[Reaper90]

Master Sgt Gary I Gordon       

SGT FC Randall Shughart   

I thought about it and decided that instead of PMing you a "thank you" I'd post it here. I'm glad you mentioned these guys, because what they did 99.9% of average people wouldn't do but I truly believe 99.9% of the guys who fought in that engagement wouldn't have thought twice about doing were they in the same situation.

My younger brother was part of chalk 2, B Co, 3rd Ranger, one of 4 teams that roped in to support the Delta guys who were going into the Olympic Hotel to get Aidid's "generals." His group was the closest to, and first to arrive upon the scene of, the first Blackhawk that went down. He lost a few friends that 18+ hours, and saw a lot of stuff. He was awarded some medals, and turned down one because he didn't think he had sacrificed as much as some other guys who didn't come back or came back in far worse shape.

Their story has been mostly forgotten I sometimes fear, so when you mentioned Gordon and Shughart it made me smile, because I too know what those two absolute heroes did, and I know my brother not only knew who they were but actually knew them (they had gotten to know a lot of the "D-Boys," as they (the Rangers) called them, as they had been training with them at Bragg prior to deployment).

  To all who have served, fought, and sacrificed.

sidenote: You all owe it to these guys to get Mark Bowden's book "Blackhawk Down" upon which the movie is based. It's the first-hand account from the guys that were there, and is the other 95% of the story that the movie, however well-done, doesn't tell.