Capt. Freeman: Was His Story in Your Paper???

It Took Tons of Courage...

The story is true. It begins with the life of a 19 year old kid. Critically wounded and dying in the jungle somewhere in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam.

Date: November 11, 1967.

Place: LZ (landing zone) X-ray, Central Highlands jungle area, Viet Nam.

Think about it... his unit was outnumbered 8-1 and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 yards away, that his CO (commanding officer) has ordered the MedEvac helicopters to stop coming in. AS this 19 year old soldier laid was lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns, he knew he was not getting out.

With his family half way around the world, 12,000 miles away, deep inside, he knew he'd never see them again.

As his world starts to fade in and out, he makes peace with God, knowing this would be his last day on earth.

Then - over the machine gun noise - he could faintly hear that familiar "thumping" sound of a helicopter.

As he strained to look up, he saw a Huey coming in. But ... It doesn't seem real because no MedEvac markings are on it.

What he didn't know at that time is that Captain Ed Freeman was coming for him and the other wounded soldiers.

Freeman's not MedEvac so it's not his job, but he heard the radio call and decided he's flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire anyway.

Even after the MedEvacs were ordered not to come. He's coming anyway.

And he drops it in and sits there in the machine gun fire, as they load 3 men at a time on board his Huey!!

Then he flies the wounded men, three at a time, up and out through the gunfire to the doctors and nurses and safety.

And, he kept coming back!! 13 more times!! Until all the wounded were out. No one knew until the mission was over that the Captain had been hit 4 times in the legs and left arm.

He took 29 wounded soldiers out that day. Some would not have made it without the Captain and his bullet riddled Huey.

The question is, was the story of his passing last Wednesday at the age of 70 in Boise, Idaho, in your local, regional, or USA Today newspaper ??

Just where are the media when the passing of a true hero takes place ?? What is wrong with our media, and the reasoning behind what they cover and don't cover ?? Shouldn't the story of such a great hero's passing been printed on the front page of papers across this nation ??

Today we bid farewell to Medal of Honor Recipient, Captain Ed Freeman, United States Air Force, who died last Wednesday. And, for those who remember his heroics on that horrific day in Viet Nam, and those who are reading his story for the very first time, let us all join in remembering him, and ask that God Blesses his soul, and lend that peace that passes understanding to his loved ones, family, and friends!!

Shalom,

Pastor Paul