IHIA

Director At Large

to his injuries, and thankful others knew their beloved trooper hadn’t died alone on the street.

“Throw not away the hero in thy soul.”

- Friedrich Nietzsche

Epilogue: Jim Hotaling and I attended National Defense University’s KEYSTONE Command Senior Enlisted Course together, after which I served on his staff at the national level. When we left those positions, Jim gifted me Keith Rocco’s print “The Battle of Takur Ghar”. It hangs on the wall of my lounge in his honor and in remembrance of our fellow Airmen lost that day: Jason Cunningham and John Chapman.

Similar selflessness happens every day. Not only in those who serve as sentries of freedom, holding the line between good and evil; but unlikely heroes like Melvin Ray, who help those unable to help themselves. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Whether you’re fighting the enemy or fighting crime; battling disease or personal demons; weathering the storms of life just to make it through another day, or simply doing the best you can with what you have where you are, always remember you are a hero to someone.

And heroes understand that selflessness and sacrifice always accompany making the world a better place.

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