"We just did what we had to do. You either run away or you fight..." Alek Skarlatos, Oregon National Guard and one of the Americans who thwarted a terrorist attack on the Paris-bound train last week.
"Thanks to them we have averted a drama. There were particularly courageous and showed extreme bravery in extremely difficult circumstance." French Interior Minister Bernard Cazebeuve.
By now, most of the nation knows the story. U.S.A.F. Airman Spence Stone, Guardsman Alek Skarlatos and their friend, Anthony Sadler, took down a gunman brandishing an AK-47 as he prepared to assault passengers on a Paris-bound train. Most observers agree, the three Americans most likely prevented a massacre.
The American heroes were recipients of the France's highest honor---The Legion of Honor---yesterday. In addition, Airman Stone will be awarded the U.S.A.F Airman's Medal, it's highest non-combat honor. Even after the terrorist almost cut off Stone's thumb with a box-cutter, the airman provided emergency first aid to another passenger whose neck was bleeding profusely. He saved the man's life.
Once again, the United States proves to be the greatest nation that's ever existed on earth. And while this claim will always make America's critics feel miserable (unfortunately even those living in America), the facts back up this assertion. The examples are countless but many stand out more than others. For example:
"Thanks to them we have averted a drama. There were particularly courageous and showed extreme bravery in extremely difficult circumstance." French Interior Minister Bernard Cazebeuve.
By now, most of the nation knows the story. U.S.A.F. Airman Spence Stone, Guardsman Alek Skarlatos and their friend, Anthony Sadler, took down a gunman brandishing an AK-47 as he prepared to assault passengers on a Paris-bound train. Most observers agree, the three Americans most likely prevented a massacre.
The American heroes were recipients of the France's highest honor---The Legion of Honor---yesterday. In addition, Airman Stone will be awarded the U.S.A.F Airman's Medal, it's highest non-combat honor. Even after the terrorist almost cut off Stone's thumb with a box-cutter, the airman provided emergency first aid to another passenger whose neck was bleeding profusely. He saved the man's life.
Once again, the United States proves to be the greatest nation that's ever existed on earth. And while this claim will always make America's critics feel miserable (unfortunately even those living in America), the facts back up this assertion. The examples are countless but many stand out more than others. For example:
- It's Americans who are usually the first responders to many areas of the globe when disasters strike. In many cases, it's our military.
- The United States, on more than one occasion throughout history, saved the world from tyranny. Not only have we witnessed this in recently conflicts, but the aftermath of WWI, WWII and the Cold War prove conclusively America was at the head of those spears. In addition, it was America that lifted even our former enemies out of post-war chaos. To this day, these countries haven't even repaid the billions of dollars we provided for the assistance in rebuilding their nations.
- On the heels of America's providing assistance to even our former enemies, post WWII and Cold War nations are now free nations including S. Korea and almost all of the former Eastern European block nations that were under the jack-book of Communism for decades.
- The United States also has a proud and noble legacy of helping others defend themselves. We have a long history of global leadership knowing full well that such a strategy also ensures our own security and safety.
- The number of people America helped liberate is virtually immeasurable. But you can be sure it's in the hundreds of millions.
Americans know that courage can often be contagious especially when Americans are involved. And that is why we will always need America on that wall. Now if only Mr. Obama and progressives would heed this lesson.
