To be heroic

As previously mentioned, yours truly has limited communication routes with the outside world. One that I rely on heavily is the local public radio station that I listen to in my car on the way to work. Yesterday morning I heard this story. It was just another story until the part at the end, where the Soldier remarks that, after loading the bodies of the fallen soldiers that he successfully extricated from a VERY hairy ambush, he watches the helicopter lift and has an overwhelming feeling of "why not me?".

That part of the story caught my attention and brought up a big lump in my throat. Now, I DO NOT do heroic things like going into a heavily armed ambush despite orders to the contrary, but I think I know that feeling. Something about trying as hard as you absolutely can against all odds, doing everything you possibly can, making a difference, but still feeling as if there was something more you could have or should have done.

I am no hero, but I can relate to how Cpl. Meyer felt that day, watching those birds fly away.

http://www.npr.org/2011/09/15/140479024/for-a-marine-hero-a-medal-of-honor