defining a hero
For as long as I can remember, the Tschiderers have been friends of our family. They were one of many families with whom we shared camping trips and super-bowl parties. I remember fishing and riding bikes with their son, Steve, during dusty summer trips to Holiday Hills campground.
On June 2nd, Steve was shot by an Iraqi sniper. He was on a routine patrol in Baghdad as a medic with the 256th Brigade Combat Team. Thanks to the body armor protecting his chest, he survived the attack and stayed with his unit as they captured the sniper (and his cohorts). Steve then proceeded to provide medical care for the sniper that (just a few minutes earlier) had tried to kill him.
Why was this sniper trying to kill my friend? Was it some sort of strategic exercise? Some attempt to disable the unit, to somehow gain some tactical advantage? No. The coward who shot my friend was producing a training video. A tape to be used to show other Iraqi insurgents how to pick off American troops.
My dad told me about Steve’s experience this past weekend, to which I understandably expressed shock and a bit of awe. But not until I saw the video myself – not until I watched the bullet knock Steve over – did it really hit home. Not until I saw that bullet hit the man who I rode ambulance calls with just a few months ago did I understand the significance of the event.
Watching that video made me glad and grateful that I can wake up every morning, leave my home and go about my business without worrying about finding myself in a pool of blood on the business end of a sniper rifle – payment solely for the crime of being an American. It left me confused, wondering how so many people – both here in America, and around the world – can so callously ridicule America and her troops for standing up against a group of sub-people who dedicate their lives to our deaths. And it left me grateful that men like Steve are courageously fighting that enemy thousands of miles away, and at the same time working to achieve a better life for those Iraqi citizens who aren’t out to blow themselves up in a subway tunnel or a cafe or an elementary school on Main Street, USA.
Thank you, Steve. Thank you for risking your life so that I can enjoy mine. And thank you to all the brave men and women who are fighting for our safety and survival, abroad and here at home.
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What a tribute! We can be proud of him as a fellow American, but you can thank him personally. What is best, he stars in a film that shows what happens when terrorist types take on our troops. They are not paper tigers. He stars in a film that shows him surviving and doing the Christian thing, forgiving. His example proves Turban Durbin wrong.
I know some people in theater or on their way. My wife has a friend injured over there. We need to thank them, we need to support them, we need to pray for them.
Dave,
I saw your friend’s video on cnn.com. Just wanted to say that I respect your friend and the rest of the troops that are in Iraq and other countries defending our values!
Thanks
Brian J. Bell
David,
Your comments under “defining a hero” were so beautifully written. Thank you for putting into words sentiments that I’m sure many of us have in our hearts, but found it difficult to put on paper after seeing that shocking video. I have a prayer taped to my refrig. door that I say every time I pass by. It goes like this: “Dearest Father, Please hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Please let all factions find peace in their hearts and a way to resolve this conflict so our troops can return home. Amen”
I know that Steve was protected in God’s loving arms. I’m so proud of Steve, a true American Hero.