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For all those braying over phony soldiers, let me introduce you to a real hero--Jason Stegall.
On March 26th, 2007 Jason saved my life and all the paratroopers in Blackfoot 1-501st at OP Omar.
Of the many heroes in Blackfoot Company, Jason was the first to act on March 26th.
Want a taste of that afternoon? Watch this clip.
Yes, these men are real heroes. Classical heroes.
But in our drive thru, strip mall, plastic disposable culture they are rarely ever seen. And that is by choice and design. The choice being made by those who are afraid to confront men who go all in and face death every day. The design by those who want to continue to sell the plastic disposable culture.
In the plastic disposable culture you can be a hero by recycling or standing up to a politician--who can't do that?
But the classical heroes take physical risks and confront those who would gladly visit violence on them and others.
Thus the morph of the hero into a lawyer, journalist, activist. Those who want to be heroic but have no stomache for violence pick soft enemies--Supreme Court Justices, Senators, Publicly Traded Corporations.
But something deep inside the human mind yearns for real heroes. It always has and always will.
Throughout mankind they have been of the same archetype--an ordinary person with the willingness to face true violence, sacrifice of self and action in the face of adversity.
The hero has a thousand faces, but somehow our culture never sees the faces of the Soldiers and Marines who are heroes.
Help JD get back to Iraq! Buy a DVD or Contribute below.
JD is currently editing the follow-up to his 2005-2006 documentary Outside The Wire. He will return to Iraq to shoot another documentary as soon as it is released.
We all know that freedom is not free--and neither is reporting from Iraq.
Each digital tape capturing the heroic efforts of Soldiers and Marines costs $7. JD uses almost 100 tapes on each trip. One DVD buys one tape that will permanently capture what the media refuses to cover.
As you know JD spends his time in Iraq with the Soldiers and Marines doing the work Outside The Wire. That means hundred and thousands of dollars of equipment and gear gets damaged. Three dollars buys a new protective lens cover. Fifty dollars buys a pair of ballistic glasses. Just to get there, the airfare costs $1,500.
It all helps and it is all needed to tell the story that is not being told.
If you have the desire and means to contribute more and be a co-producer please contact JD via email.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and any support you can give.
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