October 25, 2015

It is indeed fitting and proper that on this day Achilles welcomed a new Hoplite to his immortal phalanx. His name is Joshua Wheeler, husband and father of 4 sons, who “bravely fell in fray”. 

He was a Master Sergeant in a Ranger Battalion. He spent a bit more than half his life in the Army having volunteered in 1995. He was recognized for valor 11 times that being the number of times he was awarded the Bronze Star.

As a non-com he led a successful raid on what was about to become a moderate Muslim charnel site after its abattoir use was over.

70 infidels were saved. 1, his, was lost.

Having taken the American equivalent of the “Queen’s shilling” 2 decades he ago he knew he was taking a soldier’s chance.

I shan’t burden you with quotes form Kipling or MacArthur. His life, a voluntary life, was an iron lily that cannot be gilded.

I will cite an American movie, “The Bridges of Toko-Ri”.

The Admiral, on the bridge of an aircraft carrier to which a Naval Aviator shall not return, says to an aide:

“Where do we find such men”?

The only sour note, one tasted by every by every man who may go “into harm’s way”, was that government that he served so well said that while he was shot and killed by the bad guys while rescuing 70 people from beheading or crucifixion – Did I just say beheading and crucifixion? Yes, I did – he was not technically killed in combat.

The pall bearers will find that the extra weight of the coffin will be caused by a government uncomfortably unfamiliar with what it means to live life where having shield means that you may come home on it.’

He will soon rest in honored company.

The aforementioned Achilles. Leonidas. George Custer. Ernest Evans. Leonard Putnam – inter alia – will welcome him into their ranks.

God rest his soul.

“He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have died that Freedom may live.”

Kevin Smith

Warriorbardit@BellSouth.Net

PS – October 25^th, a day made famous by warriors and poets in 3 different centuries, Agincourt, Balaclava, Leyte Gulf, has a new name, Sergeant Joshua Wheeler, to hold in awe.