The Soldiers' Story
Don't miss Michael Yon's extraodinary report of the US Army's continuing engagement with terrorists in Mosul, Iraq.
His prose and pictures are the closest we're likely to get to the real thing. This is the truth of the battle and not surpisingly the US solidiers are revealed to be astonishingly brave and skilled. First among them, Lt. Colonel Erik Kurilla. He's been a key subject of Yon's reporting, for both his leadership and physical bravery. In this latest engagement he was shot three times during a fire fight and was severly injued. At last report he was in stable condition, probably on his way back home for treatment.
Yon's reporting of his mettle under fire testifies that Kurilla is well prepared for the challenge of recovery. In case there was any lingering doubt, this should dispel it:
The truest test of leadership happens when the Commander is no longer there. Kurilla's men were taking down and boxing up his photos of his wife and children, and his Minnesota Vikings flag, when they decided to keep the flag so everyone could autograph it. It wasn't long before there was no room left to sign, but I found a place to scratch. I wanted my name on that flag.
A Minnesota Vikings flag? This man is well acquainted with suffering. Welcome back Colonel, the season starts in two weeks.
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