Pure Guts!

[HARDCORE]

I saw a piece on television last evening that I would like to share with you all. It was indeed inspirational and a true testament to the fact that American fighting men (and women) still have unlimited guts and are truly made of the right stuff!

The story began with John Ferguson, a West Point Graduate, who had both of his feet blown off in combat in Iraq. Ferguson, however, who was scheduled to be wed upon his return Stateside, could not even walk on crutches, nor could he envision himself going down the aisle in a wheelchair!

Upon his return to the Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, Ferguson was fitted-out with a set of $45,000, computerized (artificial) legs. Legs that, from what I saw, not only allowed him to make that appointment at the church, but indeed, even gave him the ability to jog and ski!

Over these many years, dating all the way back to World War II, I have been privileged to know many a gallant American serviceman who has refused to accept the crippling hand that fate has dealt them on the field of combat! Even with severe, and in many cases life-threatening wounds and physical impairments, these heroes have clawed their way out of pain and depression, dusted themselves off, and gone on with their lives with dignity and a fortitude that was laden with pure guts and determination!

Among my friends and acquaintances who have had severe combat injuries was a man who had his leg too blown away by a mine in Vietnam. He, instead of feeling sorry for himself, returned Stateside and became a talented attorney and was also very active in the MIA/POW organizations.

Another great example of this brand of ?Never Say Die Fortitude? was Max Clelland, a triple amputee who latter headed up the Veterans Administration and even became a U.S. Senator from Georgia!

Getting back to John Ferguson, however, he like so many others who?s lives could have ground to a halt after being torn apart, or losing body parts in combat, refused to roll over or become a vegetable - ?For these men know not the meaning of the word Quit!? And for as long as we have men and women like these who call America home, no enemy of this nation can ever hope to prevail.

Put into but as few words as possible - Proud people like this are really what we as a nation are all about! And from the slopes of Bunker Hill, to the sands of the Middle East and beyond, our Nation has always, and will always, field ?The Best of the Best!?

VERITAS