Stories of Real and Inspirational Men
Thought we could start a thread on inspirational men and those who deserve some honor. No comments needed. Just post their stories.
http://postgazette.com/pg/10123/1055098-53.stm
Of the 16,000 participants from 47 states and 12 countries who crossed five bridges over three rivers in the Pittsburgh Marathon, two stood out.
They were Green Beret officers, bib numbers 3748 and 3749, tethered together by a shoestring and their bond as brothers-in-arms.
One's shirt identified him as a blind runner with this message on his back: "I Will Never Quit." His comrade's shirt listed him as a guide and had a related part of the Soldier's Creed: "I Will Never Leave A Fallen Comrade."
"We're all about accomplishing the mission. Once we start something, we have to finish it," said Capt. Ivan Castro, the only blind officer in the U.S. Army Special Forces.
Nearly four years ago, while serving with the 325th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division, he was wounded so badly by a mortar shell that doctors doubted he would survive.
In a battle against insurgents outside of Baghdad during which two of his men were killed, shrapnel tore through the captain. His arm was broken, his trigger finger was blown off, both lungs collapsed and, in addition to traumatic brain injury, he lost sight in both eyes.
At some point in an arduous recovery, Capt. Castro summoned up the internal traits that made him volunteer to join the Army and volunteer again for the Airborne and Special Forces. He got back up to do what soldiers do every day -- run, run and run some more.
"It was tough. It was painful. But I wasn't going to let it put me out of the fight," he said. "The fact that I survived meant I was given a second chance. I can't dwell on what I lost. I still had my legs, my arms, my heart. I wear my uniform proudly. I want to live my life to the fullest, as if there's no tomorrow. Call me crazy, but we're trained to run into the fight while human nature says to run away. I still want to make it up that hill."
This was the ninth marathon, not counting a couple of 50-mile races, that he has run with his boss, Lt. Col. Fred Dummar of the Special Operations Recruiting Battalion at Fort Bragg, N.C.
About 80 active duty personnel from the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard ran the race, and there were more than 100 military volunteers staffing the marathon.
The military presence is part of National Military Appreciation Month and the Pittsburgh chapter of Our Community Salutes, which this week is honoring all those who have served or who have enlisted to serve.
Col. Dummar held the loop of the white string in his right hand, and Capt. Castro held a loop in his left hand. Tugs and nudges on the string guided the blind runner around turns and away from curbs. But as they stride, it almost looks as if they're running a three-legged race.
"I'm just along for the ride. The spirit and motivation are his," said Col. Dummar.
The two officers, both 41, saluted and stood at attention when the National Anthem was played prior to the starting gun. Then they were off, two men on a personal journey of 4 hours and 26 minutes.
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Originally Posted by BigBear
He alone made it possible for his company to advance until its objective was seized. Company G had cleared a wooded area of snipers, and 1 platoon was advancing across an open clearing toward another wood when it was met by heavy machinegun fire from 2 German positions dug in at the edge of the second wood. These positions were flanked by enemy riflemen. The platoon took cover behind a small ridge approximately 40 yards from the enemy position. There was no other available protection and the entire platoon was pinned down by the German fire. It was about noon and the day was clear, but the terrain extremely difficult due to a 3-inch snowfall the night before over ice-covered ground. Pvt. Wiedorfer, realizing that the platoon advance could not continue until the 2 enemy machinegun nests were destroyed, voluntarily charged alone across the slippery open ground with no protecting cover of any kind. Running in a crouched position, under a hail of enemy fire, he slipped and fell in the snow, but quickly rose and continued forward with the enemy concentrating automatic and small-arms fire on him as he advanced. Miraculously escaping injury, Pvt. Wiedorfer reached a point some 10 yards from the first machinegun emplacement and hurled a handgrenade into it. With his rifle he killed the remaining Germans, and, without hesitation, wheeled to the right and attacked the second emplacement. One of the enemy was wounded by his fire and the other 6 immediately surrendered. This heroic action by 1 man enabled the platoon to advance from behind its protecting ridge and continue successfully to reach its objective. A few minutes later, when both the platoon leader and the platoon sergeant were wounded, Pvt. Wiedorfer assumed command of the platoon, leading it forward with inspired energy until the mission was accomplished.
