Here’s some Monday afternoon inspiration for you. Ivan Castro joined the Army, and was a Ranger before completing Special Forces training. He earned his officer’s commission and joined the 82nd Airborne Division as platoon leader. In September of 2006, in Youssifiyah, Iraq, he was struck by mortar fire and shrapnel, breaking his arm and shoulder, and also leaving him blind. After spending 17 months recovering, he asked for an assignment with Special Operations Command, getting duty with 7th Special Forces Group.

He’s determined to keep on fighting, even though he’s now blind.

When Capt. Ivan Castro joined the Army, he set goals: to jump out of planes, kick in doors and lead soldiers into combat. He achieved them all. Then the mortar round landed five feet away, blasting away his sight.

“Once you’re blind, you have to set new goals,” Castro said.

He set them higher.

Not content with just staying in the Army, he is the only blind officer serving in the Special Forces — the small, elite units famed for dropping behind enemy lines on combat missions.

As executive officer of the 7th Special Forces Group’s headquarters company in Fort Bragg, Castro’s duties don’t directly involve combat, though they do have him taking part in just about everything that leads up to it.

“I am going to push the limits,” the 40-year-old said. “I don’t want to go to Fort Bragg and show up and sit in an office. I want to work every day and have a mission.”

Since the war began in Iraq, more than 100 troops have been blinded and 247 others have lost sight in one eye. Only two other blind officers serve in the active-duty Army: one a captain studying to be an instructor at West Point, the other an instructor at the Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

Castro’s unit commander said his is no charity assignment. Rather it draws on his experience as a Special Forces team member and platoon leader with the 82nd Airborne Division.

“The only reason that anyone serves with 7th Special Forces Group is if they have real talents,” said Col. Sean Mulholland. “We don’t treat [Castro] as a public affairs or a recruiting tool.”

…

Though not fully independent, he spent a weekend before starting his job walking around the Group area at Fort Bragg to know just where he was going. He carefully measured the steps from car to office.

“Obviously, he cannot do some things that a sighted person can do. But Ivan will find a way to get done whatever he needs to get done,” Mulholland said. “What I am most impressed with, though, is his determination to continue to serve his country after all that he’s been through.”

Castro works out regularly at the gym and runs, his legs powerful and muscular. And though he has a prosthetic right eye and his arms are scarred by shrapnel, his outsized personality overshadows his war wounds: Nobody escapes his booming hellos, friendly banter and limitless drive.

He ran the Boston marathon this year with Adm. Eric T. Olson, commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command. Last year it was the Marine Corps Marathon. He wants to compete in the Ironman triathlon in Hawaii and graduate from the Army’s officer advanced course, which teaches captains how to lead troops and plan operations.

Mulholland said Castro, who was awarded a Purple Heart like others wounded in combat, will always be part of the Special Forces family.

“I will fight for Ivan as long as Ivan wants to be in the Army,” Mulholland said.

His heroism, bravery, and determination is beyond just admirable and inspirational. It’s awe-inducing. I cannot personally imagine being blind, period, let alone being a blind member of the Army’s Special Forces. Captain Ivan is just another example that the heroes serving in our military are the best and brightest among us.

The next time you start to feel sorry for yourself, or feel like you can’t soldier on, remember Captain Ivan and other soldiers like him, who refuse to give up or let themselves become victims.

On a tip from James, a reader who is also a soldier in the Army (my personal thanks for James for his service, as well!).

It’s the Army’s 233rd birthday. Blackfive brings us the birthday message from Kenneth Preston, the Sergeant Major of the Army:

Here’s a nice tribute video that made me tear up a little throughout:

To those currently serving, or who have served: thank you. Let’s all remember today the patriots who, starting 233 years ago, loved this country enough to risk sacrificing everything, and some did. Their bravery and seflessness is unparalleled. Happy Birthday to the Army. There is no gift we can give you that can compare to the gift that you secure for us: our freedom. Know, however, that the American people stand behind you united.

Today is also Flag Day. I posted this video on my blog before, but I want to post it again as it seems fitting.

Make sure to fly Old Glory proudly today (if you don’t every day). My flag is flying happily… in my living room. My apartment complex does not allow flags to be displayed on the balcony, not even the American flag. Why? Someone might get offended. I would love to move out in protest, but you know, there’s a lease and all. Anyways, those of you who have the privilege of owning your living space, make sure to fly a flag today. Remember all that Old Glory stands for.

Happy Birthday Army, and Happy Flag Day!

I’m just going to round up a bunch of different things for you to read, because really, how do you sum up how momentous this day was?

Michelle recommends reading Ronald Reagan’s Pointe du Hoc speech, an excellent suggestion. She also brings us this sad but true video about what media coverage would be like if D-Day happened in 2007.

Ed at Hot Air remembers, and discusses some of the strategy involved, as well as the Soviet involvement in WWII.

Uncle Jimbo at Blackfive gives us the prayer that FDR offered the nation, a prayer for courage, one filled with purpose and the absolute conviction that this was a mission that must be undertaken, not only for the good of America, but for the good of mankind.

The Purple Avenger at Ace of Spades points out Google’s inspirational honoring of D-Day. Oh, wait! They didn’t acknowledge it. Instead, they put this absurd picture up to honor… Diego Velasquez.

A diarist on DailyKos says some great things about D-Day and the magnitude of what our soldiers did that day. I know, I’m shocked too, but it’s a great read.

Newsbusters posts videos commemorating D-Day.

To all those whose fathers, husbands or brothers made the ultimate sacrifice storming the beaches at Normandy on D-Day, and to all those who selflessly risked their lives so that others might be free… you have my heartfelt gratitude.

This is just absolutely horrifying. I hope the two men who did this… well, let’s just say that I hope they get what they deserve, which would be a punishment so horrible and terrifying that it couldn’t possibly be put into words.

On leave from the violence he had survived in the war in Iraq, a young Marine was so wary of crime on the streets of his own home town that he carried only $8 to avoid becoming a robbery target.
Despite his caution, Lance Cpl. Robert Crutchfield, 21, was shot point-blank in the neck during a robbery at a bus stop.

Feeding and breathing tubes kept him alive 41/2 months, until he died of an infection on May 18.

Two men have been charged in the attack, and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason said Friday the case was under review to decide whether to seek the death penalty.

“It is an awful story,” said Alberta Holt, the young Marine’s aunt and his legal guardian when he was a teenager determined to flee a troubled Cleveland school for safer surroundings in the suburbs.

Crutchfield was attacked on January 5 while he and his girlfriend were waiting for a bus. He had heeded the warnings of commanders that a Marine on leave might be seen as a prime robbery target with a pocketful of money, so he only carried $8, his military ID card and a bank card.

“They took it, turned his pockets inside out, took what he had and told him since he was a Marine and didn’t have any money he didn’t deserve to live. They put the gun to his neck and shot him,” Holt told The Associated Press.

The two men charged in the attack were identified as Ean Farrow, 19, and Thomas Ray III, 20, both of Cleveland. Their attorneys did not respond to The Associated Press’ requests for comment.

There are no words to describe how absolutely awful this is. My sincerest thoughts and prayers go out to his family, and my gratitude for his service. I hope justice comes swiftly to his murderers.

Hat Tips: Wizbang and Michelle Malkin

Today is Memorial Day. Most Americans will “celebrate” with a day off of work, with cookouts, and maybe some fireworks. They’ll grill hamburgers and steaks, maybe wear red, white, and blue. Many people will think only briefly for a moment of what this holiday is supposed to be about, if they do at all.

Memorial Day should be more than just an excuse to have a three-day weekend and grill out with your friends and family. This is a day to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedoms. They’ve given us their lives. Is it too much to ask for us to honor them for one day?

Here’s a video that’s a real tearjerker (for me, anyways) that seemed appropriate for today.

Today, maybe visit a cemetery or memorial in your area where your local fallen are buried or remembered. A lot of cities have ceremonies or parades… attend one. 3:00 is the national moment of remembrance, so at 3:00 stop and reflect on the sacrifices our heroes have made. If you have children, sit them down and explain to them just why it is they can go to whatever church they want, whatever school they want… why it is that they can watch whatever they want on TV and why it is that they can live free. Tell them why America is the last, best hope for the world. Tell them it’s because the best and bravest among us have sacrificed everything they have to give them that freedom… and that we should be forever grateful.

It’s so little to ask of us, when they’ve done so much.

JOHN 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

A Marine’s kneecap was shattered by a sniper bullet in Iraq. Ultimately, he lost the leg — and with a new prosthetic, joined back up with the Corps and is voluntarily serving in Iraq again.

He isn’t just an inspiration to his comrades in the Corps. He’s an inspiration to Americans everywhere.

On a non-important, non-Iraq note, if men wonder why women swoon over guys in uniform, look to guys like this. Because they’re bad-asses, plain and simple. They’re brave, they’re tough, and they’re willing to stand up for the country and the people that they love, even if it means dying for them. It’s not just how they look in uniform that turns us on; when we see videos like that, we can’t help but think in the back of our minds, “Dayum, I gotta get me one of those!”

Hat Tips: Hot Air, Ace and Stop the ACLU

Last month, I noted that Michael Monsoor was to posthumously receive the Medal of Honor, and yesterday it became official. President Bush presented the award to Monsoor’s parents in an emotional ceremony; video here.

Michelle Malkin has the transcript of the President’s remarks.

Blackfive notes that virtually no MSM outlets are covering this. Michael Monsoor is the fourth Medal of Honor recipient in the War on Terror. The New York Times only felt they needed to print an embarassing 78 words about the pending award, and then had to correct the story.

Again, my sincerest gratitude and prayers go to the Monsoor family. I can only hope that all of us in this country can find it in ourselves to be worthy of your son’s sacrifice.

John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

TMZ, the celebrity gossip site, has taken a break from posting about Britney’s crotch shots, celebrity sex tapes, fashion scandals, and American Idol to opine about taxes and the military. Here’s what they had to say:

Former “Bachelor” bachelor Andy Baldwin just got back from the island of Palau in the South Pacific — not on vacation, on a mission with the Navy. Now let’s talk about why we the taxpayers are footing the bill on such BS.

Baldwin was among 20 military types who were on a search mission in the middle of the ocean. What, you ask, were they looking for? A B-24J bomber that went down during the war. Not Iraq. Not Vietnam. No, not Korea. We’re talking WWII, as in more than 60 years ago.

Turns out, the military spends $52 million each year to find the remains of missing soldiers — it’s part of the POW/MIA program. That’s all well and good depending on the circumstances. But a crash that is ancient history, at a time when the economy sucks and the Federal government is sucking the life out of everyone with taxes??

Baldwin, a Navy medic and diver, and crew found what could be human remains. We’re told it’s all being tested in the lab and it could take months, even years, to determine identities. At least he got a really good tan.

A poll accompanied the story asking, “Ridiculous waste?”, which 48% of TMZ readers responded, “Yes”.

How, pray tell, is recovering the missing bodies of soldiers who died defending our freedoms considered a “ridiculous waste” of time and money? Bringing home the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for us is the least we can do for them. It’s a commitment we make to them — in fact, accompanying the popular POW/MIA bracelets, stickers, and care decals is often the phrase “Until They All Come Home” — and no, lefties, that does not mean cutting-and-running. It means that we won’t leave any of our soldiers left behind, that we’ll bring them home, no matter where they are or how much it costs to bring them home.

We have an example here in Florida of the torture it is to the families of soldiers whose fate is unknown: Scott Speicher. Scott was originally from Kansas City, KA but moved to Jacksonville, which he then made his home. He joined the Navy, becoming a pilot. He ranked as a Lieutenant Commander. His F-18 Hornet was shot down by an Iraqi surface-to-air-missile on January 18, 1991. He was originally listed as killed in action, but his status was changed to “missing-captured” in 2001. The Navy released a report saying that there was no credible evidence to conclude that he perished in the crash, and believe that he is being held by Iraqi insurgents to this day.

Speicher’s name is listed on the Duval County Veteran’s Memorial Wall, however –a monument erected to remember Duval County residents who have perished fighting our country’s wars. No one knows for sure what happened to Speicher, though — whether he is alive or dead. The Navy is still searching for him.

The lack of information surrounding Scott Speicher’s whereabouts are torturous to his family, but also to the entire Jacksonville community. “Free Scott Speicher!” bumper stickers are a regular sight when driving around town.

Would TMZ consider it a waste if the military was able to tell the Speichers, and his community, what fate befell him? To be able to give him a proper burial, if he did perish, or rescue him, if he is still alive yet being held prisoner?

It is our responsibility to bring back Scott Speicher and all of his comrades, whether alive or dead.

If TMZ can’t understand that, then that’s unfortunate for them. And maybe they should just stick to writing about things they do understand, like the differences between female celebrities’ genitals.

Thankfully, a good number of their readers were insulted, as they obviously understand how important it is to bring our men home. Here were some of the responses:

The military is committed to recover their own. If there is a chance to find the remains of a relative, they will do it. This is a small price the US Government pays to provide service members’ families peace of mind.

Spoken by someone who has never lost a loved-one to battle. Stick to following stars, TMZ. Your commentary on US spending leaves something to be desired.

-Someone who opposes war (old and new) but who supports the veterans (old and new) who have fought them.

How could this even be spoken as a possible waste? Many soldiers in any war have been MIA. These family members would give anything to find out what happened to their loved ones and give proper respect and burial. TMZ’s stance is pretty clear. Very Sad, Very Sad

I don’t think it is too much, not considering they gave their lives for the freedom of this country and the freedom you have right now to report on this story and like the freedom I have to view it and comment on it.

Any American soldier that dies in a ANY war has a right to be brought home for burial! The peeps that think it is a waste obviously don’t have any family in the military……..

You children at TMZ have no idea of what you are talking about (again)…this program makes certain that we will bring our heroes home, no matter what, for their final resting place. Not all deaths occur in lands where the people are grateful, like the cemeteries in France…and not all deaths occur where an immediate retrieval is a possibility.

Wow, “TMZ Staff.” I hope you never have to go through the experience of never knowing what happened to a missing serviceman/woman in your family. These “human remains” which you call such a waste of time and money to identify because they’re, what — too old??? — are some family’s sons, brothers, fathers, even grandfathers. Your coverage I usually find amusing and fun, but this is really callous. Have any of you “TMZ Staff” given ANY amount of time to your country (let alone your life)? Or is your definition of ‘danger’ the possibility of being run over by Britney Spears? Shame on you. And guess what, I’m a Democrat who is against the war but FOR our servicemen, of ALL ages in ALL wars. Go back to your hanging around on the sidewalk waiting for some vapid star to exit a coffee shop. God Bless servicemen and women who help protect America, in ANY war or action, and YOUR FREEDOM to report and OUR FREEDOM to read about every idiot star’s beach butt or denial to a club.

Mary

You obviously have no idea what the word “sacrafice” means. These men DIED protecting our country. Now I know that you liberal hollywood types find this notion hard to understand but some people do love the American way of life. It’s much easier to hide a continent away and criticize every move this country makes than to put on a uniform and fight. If there was only $1 left in the budget it should go to this recovery effort because without those pilots there would not be an America. Get a clue and stick to the celebs. You people are a disgrace and a joke. I think Britney just left for the gas station. Now run along.

Those sacred bones belong to US.

The sacrifice made must be honored and respected.

I object to Welfare, giving money to people who can but refuse to work!

Hat Tip: Hot Air

Navy SEAL Michael Monsoor, who threw himself onto a grenade in Ramadi to save the lives of two of his fellow SEALs, will receive the Medal of Honor. His family will be at the White House April 8th to accept the award.

A California-based SEAL who threw his body on a grenade to save his comrades in Iraq will posthumously receive the Medal of Honor, a Defense Department official has confirmed.

Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor, of Garden Grove, Calif., was holed up on the roof of a Ramadi house with three other SEALs on Sept. 29, 2006, when an insurgent grenade landed nearby.

Monsoor, a 25-year old with SEAL Team 3, grabbed the grenade and clutched it to his chest. The blast killed him, but his actions, officials said at the time, saved the men on the rooftop.

Monsoor will be the second member of the Navy to receive the Medal of Honor since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began, and the first sailor to receive it for combat in Iraq.

Michael Fumento, who’s written about Monsoor and combat operations in Ramadi, reported on his Internet blog over the weekend that Monsoor’s family would receive the posthumous award on the fallen SEAL’s behalf during a White House ceremony April 8.

A Defense Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the award had been approved.

Here’s video:

It’s hard to watch videos or read stories like these of heroes who gave their lives for their country and their comrades. But we must remember them.

To the Monsoor family, you have my sincerest gratitude, and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, along with millions of Americans across the country. May we be worthy of your son’s sacrifice.

John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Hat Tip: Hot Air

Make sure to read this story about the hardest letter a commander will ever write: the last letter home to the family of his fallen soldiers. Be ready; it’s a tearjerker.

“How do you start a letter like this? How do you end it?”

On a raw November morning here, along the wild frontier bordering Pakistan, Lt. Col. Michael Fenzel spoke those words as he sat down to write to a father who would never see his son again.

Images ran through the colonel’s mind. His own two toddler boys, growing up quickly every day he is away at war; the parents of Private First Class Jessy Rogers, whose own child would be forever 20 years old, his age when insurgents detonated a bomb under his Humvee.

…

Meantime, last October, Lt. Col. Fenzel had written his own letter to Ms. Hepner, 47, who owns a small office- and house-cleaning business in Woodstock. “It has been almost a month since we lost your brave son Thomas to enemy fire,” it began. “And the days that pass in between don’t make it any easier to be without our brother, your son.”

The colonel went on to describe how, during the fatal ambush, PFC Wilson manned his machine gun “bravely and brilliantly” in an intense, 30-minute firefight, before he was shot. His actions saved the lives of 10 other paratroopers, the colonel wrote.

“Please also know that you have gained nearly 800 of Thomas’s brothers as your sons, if you’ll have us,” he wrote to Ms. Hepner.

It was the message she wanted to hear. “What more can a mother ask for,” she says, “than knowing that he died in the arms of people who loved him?”

Two letters are included with the article for you to read. Be sure to have your tissue box ready.

Hat Tip: Blackfive