My Own Favorite Military Hero!

There are a lot of military heroes. The history books are full of them! Confederate Cavalry General Nathan Bedford Forrest, and U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Anthony B. Herbert immediately come to mind.

However, the greatest battle-scarred warrior I've, personally, ever known is United States Marine First Lieutenant Heywood Lawrence Day: Four, round, silver dollar-sized scars on his torso; ugly, twisted shrapnel wounds on his back; and a piercing bayonet wound through his left hand.

Mr. Day was the first, and (possibly) the only person in my life to demonstrate: strength, bravery, tenacity, stoicism, compassion, and kindness ALL in the same human being. He took a spoiled, soft, young boy; and by his own outstanding personal example he showed that 9 year old lad what he owed it to himself to grow up to be.

I suppose Mr. Day is gone now; it's, surely, been a lot of years since I, last, saw him; but as long as I'm alive something of Mr. Day's outstanding martial character shall live on in me; and THAT is the highest personal accolade I can pay the man!



ADDED: Oh, yeah, let's not forget U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, 'Bo' Gritz. Controversial? Yes. (So was Colonel Herbert.) Undoubtedly, though, another man of, both, valor AND conscience. In my experience it's always a whole lot easier to be flat-out brave than it is to be, both, brave AND conscientious.