I was just a peacetime Infantry grunt. So Combat stories always make me close my mouth and listen. Every once in a while I watch Shawn Ryan's Podcast. Some of those folks on there...and their stories, defy belief. I have mixed feelings about some of them because it seems like they are trying to establish a "Brand" and go Hollywood. Most though, are just sharing their exploits, experiences, and training. And you just listen with your jaw hanging open.
One of the ones I listened to was the Navy Seal: Marcus Lutrell's story. Most of you know about it, they even made a Movie describing what happened. The part that just made me stare in awe, is when his unit was overwhelmed and a RPG blew him over a cliff and he broke his back, shattered his leg, somehow remaining conscious. And then he dragged himself a half a mile, using a rock with his one good hand. Reach out, make a line in the dirt with that rock, crawl to that line. Reach out again with the rock, make another line, and crawl to that one. For half a mile. Not knowing how close the enemy was to you. Three feet at a time. For half a mile. Injured and alone.
Where in the world do they find these people? Where did he find those reserves in his body? How powerful of a will do you have to have? Amazing. For him, he was just doing his duty, doing what he was trained to do. To me, he was more like one of those Ancient Greek Heroes like Hercules, or Achilles. Something a little more than Human. I hope that man has surrounded himself with loving people now. People that can make him feel safe. He earned it a million times over.