When there is a crisis somewhere around the globe our military men and women dawn the appropriate hat and go to work. We hear a lot nowadays about Iraq and Afghanistan, as we probably should, but I love to hear stories of when America’s finest take off the combat helmet and wear a hat of a totally different make.

A few months ago, the Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element performed a Medical Civil Action Program, or MEDCAP, treating 2,987 people in several different cities affected by the El Salvador mudslides. We were so caught up by the health care debate, Guantanamo Bay and Christmas shopping that the story of the natural disaster in El Salvador went widely unnoticed.

The U.S. Army medical team responding to the crisis was only 10 strong, but they impacted the health and well-being of thousands. It’s easy to see the theaters where we have sent hundreds of thousands of soldiers to fight and sacrifice allowing these others to work in anonymity and without fanfare. There were no engagements to be won. No hilltops or city blocks to be taken from the enemy. There wasn’t any reason to even draw a weapon. But there was real work done. The United States Army demonstrated again its compassion and commitment to peace and health, not on national television or for any political purpose, but rather because it was the human thing to do.

Way to be Army Strong JTF-Bravo

We at Living Patriot would like to add our voice to many others in expressing our heartfelt condolences to the friends, family and soldiers of Fort Hood in the aftermath of the terrible attacks yesterday. This attack reminds us of how fragile and fleeting that life can sometimes be. It’s not the deaths of these soldiers that we will remember but rather their lives. That they decided to stand for something bigger than themselves and becoming more by service to others than they could otherwise have been.

These events remind me of another tragic loss a little over a year ago when the crew of the bombing flight RAIDR 21 didn’t return from a training mission. One of my closest friends from childhood, when speaking at the one year anniversary of this loss in July, Lt. Col. Tyrell Chamberlain said:

“When RAIDR 21 didn’t return from their mission a year ago, we were all stunned. For some time, we worked through our feelings of loss, of grief, and of sacrifice. The tragic loss took our breath away and made us pause – and question…At the root of many of the answers we found the common theme: the men on RAIDR 21 gave their lives flying the aircraft they loved, serving their country, and demonstrating our common strength and resolve to protect our people and our way of life…They knew in their heart, that success lies in serving others, and pursuing a cause greater than ourselves…Continuing to fly and fight is just one way we honor the Airmen of RAIDR 21. We remember them by projecting airpower around the world to remind our adversaries and potential adversaries of the power and commitment of our great nation. We remember them by continuing our mission of vigilance, and providing the umbrella of deterrence to their families and ours.”

Like the members of that squadron, who honor their loved and lost by continuing their mission, so to will the brave men and women of Fort Hood go forth and continue to protect this great country. We honor them for them for the lives they have led, and we remember them for the sacrifice they have made.

At Living Patriot we want to focus on those living Americans that have done so much to protect our freedoms and serve our country but it is important to acknowledge and honor those who have paid the ultimate price for this cause. Each fallen patriot leaves behind a legacy in the hearts of those they left behind and we believe, that their families carry that torch for them and they become the next great Living Patriot in the chain of sacrifice.

In April of 2008 two Marines, Corporal Yale and Lance Corporal Haerter, from separate units stood guard at the Entry Control Point of Joint Security Station Nasser in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. A suicide bomber, intent on running the barricade and setting off his deadly cargo inside the station where 50 other Marines and Iraqi Policemen were going about their duties, sped towards the two sentry’s. Working as a team, despite never training together, these two soldiers stood their ground and fired on the oncoming vehicle. Their training and precise fire stopped the suicide bomber from breaking through and saved the lives of those behind.

During this engagement, both Marines lost their lives.

The following is an excerpt from the speech given by the Secretary of the Navy at the Navy Cross Presentation Ceremony honoring these men at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quanitco Virginia, February 20, 2009:

“As they have always done, our Marines are committed to doing that which our Nation has asked them to do, all the way through to its end. We Americans can best honor our heroes’ service by ensuring that their sacrifice was not made in vain… they chose to leave these things behind and devote themselves instead to the calling of their country. They gave their lives as they lived them, for truths as emphatic as they are simple: Brotherhood. Loyalty. Devotion. Sacrifice.”

Here is to our fallen friends, fathers, brothers, mothers, sisters and daughters. May we never forget, nor forsake the cause for which they have so valiantly fought and gave their lives for.