Let this be a reminder for all of us that there are heroes from the Shenandoah Valley, fighting bravely overseas during the holiday season.  Consider getting involved with Operation Show We Care, a local effort to send care packages to our troops abroad and at Walter Reed.

From the WaPo article:

Clarke graduated from James Madison University in 2005 and then enlisted in the Special Forces as a medic.

He deployed to Afghanistan’s Uruzgan province with the 3rd Special Forces group in January 2009, but soon after his 12-man team arrived, its senior medic was killed by insurgents. Eight days later, on Feb. 20, Clarke and his team were on patrol when insurgents struck again.

A massive roadside bomb ripped into the team’s rear vehicle, setting it ablaze and fatally wounding three servicemen. Insurgents then attacked the lead vehicle with rocket-propelled grenades and heavy gunfire.

Clarke ran through a barrage of gunfire to the vehicle, finding Staff Sgt. Eric Engelhardt lying near the wreckage, his legs broken and back fractured. The burning vehicle was loaded with ammunition and explosives that were detonating inches away, but Clarke applied a tourniquet to Engelhardt and then pulled him away from the vehicle to a safer position.

He then ran back 100 yards through gunfire to aid other wounded.

“Sergeant Clarke’s actions on 20 February went well above and beyond the call of duty,” according to an official military narrative of the action. “He repeatedly faced imminent danger and at no point, did he show any regard for his personal safety.”

Nevertheless, Clarke said he felt he didn’t deserve the medal.

“I feel guilty for being recognized for this award,” said Clarke, who has extended his enlistment to be able to deploy again with his unit.