Shepherds

For John, BLUF:  In a sort of paying it forward, one of the lives Ed (Too Tall) Freeman saved in the Ia Drang Valley on 14 November 1965 would give his life saving lives in the World Trade Center on 9/11.

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From Small Wars Journal we have a wonderful discussion of the late Ed (Too Tall) Freeman, "Cyclics, Souls, Service and Shepherds", by retired Army Colonel Keith Nightingale.  The article can be found here.

Here is the lede:

Lost in the noise and emotions of the recent demonstrations in St Louis and New York was a remembrance of the services provided for all those engaged souls by a man who provided them before most of the demonstrators were born.  It was the anniversary of the passing of Ed “Too Tall” Freeman, Congressional Medal of Honor winner and a true shepherd of the National flock.  With him went the representation of what our many- tapestried Nation is all about.  It is worth remembering not only what he did, but why he did it and what it ought to mean for all of us.  His life was a coalescence of events, impressions and service over time absent heroics, ego or demonstration.  He was given our Nation’s highest award for specific actions on a specific day, but he probably believed his true reward was the continued life and service of those he saved directly and to those others to whom he gave hope by his presence on the worst day of their lives.

Regards  —  Cliff