Sunday May 31, 2009 - Wingmen

The leading fighter ace of WWII, Eric Hartman, claims his greatest accomplishment was never losing a wingman. The Redeyes of the 120th Fighter Squadron are blessed with great wingman as we patrol the skies of Iraq and on the ground. One of my Crossfit wingman stuck around after I was done teaching Crossfit and ensured that I pushed myself through my workout.

Pictured night flying with Sheriff and Wedge.

An even better example of a wingman: Naval Petty Officer Mike Monsoor:

PO2 (EOD2) (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Mike Monsoor, a Navy EOD Technician, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for jumping on a grenade in Iraq, giving his life to save his fellow SEALs. (Note: Mike was not a Navy SEAL, he was EOD. )

He gave his life to save a group of Navy SEALs.) During Mike Monsoor's funeral in San Diego, as his coffin was being moved from the hearseto the grave site at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, SEAL's were lined up on both sides of the pallbearers route forming a column of two's, with the coffin moving up the center. As Mike's coffin passed, each SEAL, having removed his gold Trident from his uniform, slapped it down embedding the Trident in the wooden coffin. The slaps were audible from across the cemetery; by the time the coffin arrived grave side,it looked as though it had a gold inlay from all the Tridents pinned to it. This was a fitting send-off for a warrior hero. This should be front-page news instead of the crap we see every day. Since the media won't make this news, you can make it news by forwarding it. By doing so, you honor of this man's service, gift of his self and all those who have served without recognition or thanks for giving of themselves, sometimes with their lives. Blessings to all the men and women to serve in this way.