Superlatives
By Mitch Berg
The term “Hero” gets overused terribly these days – and if there’s a term that should retain its punch, “hero” is it.
Still, to me (and, I think, the vast majority of Americans), anyone that puts his or her life – family, career, X-box, whatever “life” is – on hold for months or years to answer his or her country’s call and duke it out with a horde of very evil people in one of the crappiest places in the world, voluntarily, is some kind of hero.
One of the best interviews the NARN has had in recent months was with David Bellavia, a former Army squad leader who related his experiences (listen) at the Battle of Fallujah in his book, House to House. If you’re into that sort of thing, this book is the single best book about grunt-level, house-to-house infantry combat I’ve ever read – and I’ve read a few. It’s harrowing, will leave you with white knuckles, and is impossible to put down. Just as non-fiction literature alone, it’s an amazing achievement.
But Bellavia’s not done yet. Ed videotaped his appearance at the Veterans For Freedom appearance at the Fort Snelling O Club last night – and noted (with emphasis added)…:
The Army awarded him the Bronze Star and Silver Star, and Hegseth warned us that these were just temporary; he’s under consideration for the Medal of Honor for his bravery, which would make him the first living MoH recipient from this war. He went into a house alone where at least six insurgents had his unit pinned down, and the only one to come out alive was Bellavia.
Bellavia continues his efforts to defeat the enemy in Iraq with a stirring presentation, one that at turns was funny, heartwrenching, inspirational, and defiant.
Watch the vid – and, if you get a moment, check out the book.
