Craig Clouston

On this Memorial Day, We pay tribute to those who have given their lives, their all, in service to this Great Nation. Today, May 25th, 2020, let us remember their sacrifices...

Lone Survivor

The story of those who gave their all*

Rarely have I had time stand still and fly by at the same time. Yet that’s exactly what happened on Sunday, January 19^th, as I sat in a packed theater and watched ‘Lone Survivor’, Universal Films’ tribute to Navy Seal, Marcus Luttrell’s harrowing survival, Luttrell’s three fallen teammates, and the sixteen fallen Special Ops forces of Operation Red Wings who gave their all on June 28, 2005, in eastern Afghanistan.

But this was not just another movie theater filled by a mixture of strangers from the surrounding communities attending the latest Hollywood box-office hit. This was the private viewing for the family of Army Staff Sgt. Shamus O. Goare, and invited guests. I felt it a privilege to be in attendance.

I looked around the theater, observing Shamus’ family and friends, wondering what they were feeling, contemplating how seeing this movie would affect them.

As I watched the movie I was torn between sorrow and pride. For as horrific as the scenes were I felt a connection to its storyline.

This movie made known to the world that Army Staff Sgt. Shamus O. Goare was a member of the 160^th Night Stalker team that flew the MH-47 Chinook helicopter that was shot down while attempting the extrication of four members of Seal Team 10 on that fateful day.

Navy Seal, Marcus Luttrell, lived to tell the story of how those men sacrificed their lives on the battlefield in an attempt to save him and his fellow SEALs. And although the movie’s focus was on the four SEAL’s fight on the mountain that day it paid no less tribute to the sixteen men who knowingly entered hostile enemy airspace without defending cover from the Blackhawk gunships that normally accompanied and protected them against enemy fire. They chose to rush to the aid of their brothers in harm’s way because that’s who they were, and what they did.

As the movie ended tribute was paid to the fallen as photos of each man, along with some family pictures, filled the screen. As Shamus’ photos appeared on screen a palpable reaction filled the theater.

As the credits rolled there was complete silence, no one knew just how to react to what they had just witnessed. And then, as people began to stir, a smattering of applause turned into a standing ovation out of respect to the Goares.

It is my hope and prayer that each person in attendance will find closure and understanding. Most of all I hope healing and pride for Shamus’ act of selfless heroism will find its way into the heart of those who through his sacrifice lost someone they dearly loved.

We owe them a debt that cannot be repaid. We can, however, pay tribute to their sacrifice by never forgetting.

• This article is dedicated to all the men and women of our Armed Forces who are fighting on foreign soil so their families, friends, loved ones, and total strangers will never have to face this enemy at home. May we never forget their sacrifices.