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.