Literature
My men are my hero is a book giving a graphic description of war from the perspective of the American marines who are usually on the front line. The book was written by sergeant major Brad Kasal. It documents his life and an experience in the military. It especially focuses on the war in Iraq and especially the battle for Fallujah. This is a tale of heroism and sacrifice told first hand by the people on the front line.
The motivation for the book was a picture taken of brad Kasal in Fallujah. The picture is graphic to say the least. In the picture major general Brad Kasal has been shot several times and is bleeding badly from his legs. He cannot walk and two marines have to carry him. Due to his situation the marines had to put down their weapons in order to carry him. The outstanding thing in the picture is that despite his life threatening condition major general Brad Kasal still puts the lives of his men before his own. He is seen firmly grasping a gun so that he is in position to defend his men should an attack occur. This is truly heroism in the highest sense. Major general Brad Kasal, although having sustained life threatening injuries does not lose focus. He does not forget that he is a marine and never abandons his weapon incase his men need him to protect them.
The book especially focuses on the battle for Fallujah. A few marines are pinned down in a house by insurgents and major general Brad Kasal leads the onslaught to liberate them. Once in the house the situation only gets worse. The major and his men come under heavy fire. The major however stands out as a hero concerned not for his own life but for the lives of his fellow marines. This is clearly evident when the major puts his life on the line in order to save a fellow marine. Insurgents throw a grenade into the house and immediately the clock starts ticking. Knowing the impending threat the major uses his own body to prevent the explosion from harming a fellow marine. The major fully absorbs the blast of the grenade in order to ensure that no harm comes to his fellow marine.
The book also gives insight into the psychology of a military leader. Analysis of the actions of major general enables the audience to know exactly what kind of stress military leaders deal with in a war situation. Tasked with ensuring that war missions are successfully completed as well as ensuring that all his men are safe major general Brad Kasal wears the shoes of a military leader perfectly. He does not cave in to stress or the knowledge that he and his men could be killed at any time. The average man would surely cave in such a situation but thankfully major general Brad Kasal is no ordinary man. The book also delves deep into the psychological motivations behind the decisions made by the major. Major Brad Kasal is the type of man to lay it all on the line for flag and country.
People back in America have little knowledge of the horrors the soldiers go through at war. Some people fail to appreciate the sacrifices made by these brave soldiers. The book my men are my heroes takes the audience right to the tip of the spear. The audience experiences firsthand the life of a marine at war. After reading the book all I can say to the marines is thank you.
Works Cited
Kasal, Brad, and Nathaniel R. Helms.My men are my heroes: the Brad Kasal story. Des Moines, IA: Meredith Books, 2007. Print.
