MSGT ROY P. BENAVIDEZ

When you hear tales of unbelievable heroism like the one I am about to share, you wonder - "Could I do this?" I know I couldn't. The overwhelming majority of us do not have the cojones possessed by the son of a poor sharecropper, US Army Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez.

I am not going to go into great detail about what this man did, the video speaks to his acts far more eloquently than my poor skills. Msgt. Benavidez flew into a major firefight to rescue a squad that was hopelessly trapped by a North Vietnamese battalion. Armed only with a knife and medical gear, he saved the lives of eight soldiers and was grievously wounded himself. Please view the video and marvel at his self sacrifice.

But what I wonder is this:

Where does God forge such strength in the hearts of men?
As David sings in Psalm 139:15-16:

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to
be.

Does He peer into the yet unformed soul - soft and shapeless, but full of potential - and insert something of Himself? Some unknown component of the Godhead that bends men to His will without their even knowing it? Is it in our hearts? Our brain? Where does this reside so completely hidden until it bursts forth and amazes us? Like a seed in a dry land that suddenly erupts overnight into a magnificent tree, did Roy surprise his mates?

There are undoubtably thousands of men who acted without thought for their own safety during the wars and conflicts that have followed the founding of our Nation. The overwhelming majority go unreported, unnoticed save for those who witnessed them. While we can honor such men as MSGT Benavidrz, for it is right and fitting that we do, let us also honor those who gave also themselves and did not receive the recognition.

Thanks to Charlie the ChiTown Cop for sending me this video.