Heroes are Still among US.

In October 2015 a unit of American Army Rangers, working along side fellow Iraqi soldiers, rescued 75 Kurdish people held hostage by ISIS terrorists.  The terrorists were on the verge of killing all the unarmed people held captive, when the soldiers arrived.

This man; Army Sgt. Maj. Thomas Payne, with a wife and child at home, risked his life to save the lives of 75 people he didn’t know.  He risked hostile fire, cutting away two pad locks from the barricading doors, to free the people from the building after the terrorists set it on fire.  He went in and out of the burning, crumbling building 3 times to make sure everyone got out.

This man just received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his efforts.  You can read more about it here.

Why am I blogging about this?  Because I’ve cried more than once reading his story.  Because it moves me every time I read it.  Because the courage and love of humanity exemplified by this man and ALL the other soldiers that took part in that mission, utterly inspires me.  It reminds me of the pride and love I have for my own uncle Stephen and my grandfather Robert, soldiers both, who likewise showed heroism in the face of great danger.  And it reminds me of the qualities of a kind of man, that I aspire to.

I’m blogging about this because I want to remember it.

Blessings on that man, may he have grace in his life and peace in his heart, mind and soul.  Blessings on his wife and child.  Blessings to all who took part in this, and other missions like it.  Blessings to the people who got to go home to their families because of heroes like Sgt. Maj. Thomas Payne.

Humanity is good.  Honor still lives.  Love and courage and compassion are alive and well.