Ranger Salutes

LongBlade · October 16, 2013, 10:55:56 AM

QuoteArmy Ranger Josh Hargis was unconscious, hooked to a breathing tube at a military hospital in Afghanistan after losing both his legs in battle last week.

But when the Purple Heart ceremony began at Hargis' bedside, it turned out he was not unconscious, as doctors believed. Instead, he struggled with an attending doctor to raise his heavily bandaged hand to salute a commanding officer presenting him with the medal.

"I cannot impart on you the level of emotion that poured through the intensive care unit that day," the commander wrote to the Ranger's wife. "Grown men began to weep, and we were speechless at a gesture that speaks volumes about Josh's courage and character."

More at the link: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/10/16/army-ranger-believed-to-be-unconscious-salutes-during-purple-heart-ceremony/

BanzaiCat · October 16, 2013, 10:57:40 AM

Wow.

Martok · October 16, 2013, 12:10:32 PM

Shit, I choked up just reading that...

bayonetbrant · October 16, 2013, 12:11:24 PM

not me - my office is just a little dustier than usual today...

Airborne Rifles · October 16, 2013, 04:17:01 PM

I was standing in that very ICU in May with one of my soldiers who had just lost both his legs. He was one of my medics and had just lost several of his buddies to an IED. When he came to I told him how proud I was of him and his response was "sir, I just wish I could have done more to help my buddies." I had to leave the room.

Gusington · October 16, 2013, 06:23:56 PM

I...I don't know what to type.

Staggerwing · October 16, 2013, 06:30:53 PM

I'm man enough to admit it...

I have allergies... :'(

(Seriously though, I'm with Gus- All I can say about Hargis and AR's medic is that my nutsack feels a little less full than before I read this thread.)

bayonetbrant · October 16, 2013, 08:52:17 PM

Quote from: Gusington on October 16, 2013, 06:23:56 PMI...I don't know what to type.

^^^
what he didn't say

Jarhead0331 · October 16, 2013, 09:11:19 PM

That is what I call moto.

Arctic Blast · October 17, 2013, 12:10:38 AM

Quote from: bayonetbrant on October 16, 2013, 12:11:24 PM
not me - my office is just a little dustier than usual today...

That dust seems to be making the rounds.

Centurion40 · October 18, 2013, 03:08:51 PM

Quote from: Airborne Rifles on October 16, 2013, 04:17:01 PM
I was standing in that very ICU in May with one of my soldiers who had just lost both his legs. He was one of my medics and had just lost several of his buddies to an IED. When he came to I told him how proud I was of him and his response was "sir, I just wish I could have done more to help my buddies." I had to leave the room.

Wow. I never ceased to amazed, and thankful, for human beings like you and your soldiers. IMHO society cannot do enough to honor you all for your service and sacrifice.

I hope that you, your medic, along with the Ranger featured in the news story, get to live long and rewarding lives.