Bruce McQuain from Blackfive joined us once again for Someone You Should Know, our weekly tribute to the troops. Bruce spent 28 years in the U.S. Army and he is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match.
Tonight, Bruce told us about Staff Sgt. Jason Hendrix. He read portions of a letter that one of SSgt. Hendrix’s men, Sgt. Jose M. Soliz, sent to the Hendrix family,
When the whole thing started SSG Hendrix was not in the best position to come to the rescue, but he made his way through hell to get to us. He came to get us even though he knew what it could mean for him and his men but he did it anyway. I can’t tell you that I don’t think of your son SSG Hendrix everyday. I can’t tell you that I don’t get tears in my eyes when I think about what he has done for me. Even now as I write this message I think of him as if I had seen him just an hour ago. Jason, you gave your life so that I could live mine. I have no words that could ever thank you.
I remember speaking at your memorial, I wanted to cry my heart out and fall to the floor. But I couldn’t do that because I wanted to tell your story proudly and let everyone know how brave you are. I sometimes catch myself drifting off in thought about that day and the events that took place. I don’t take one day for granted. Not One! I am only here because God made men like you. I hope that I can live my life in a manner that honors you, Jason. I look at my wife and thank God that you were there for me. My scars from the blast have faded away since that day, but you are forever in my heart. You will forever be a true life hero in my life.
Like I said before I don’t want to re-open any wounds I just to honor SSG Hendrix and tell you of how much of a True Combat Hero he is, not was, is.
The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Bruce does an incredible job with the series every week. The Pundit Review Radio Podcast RSS feed can be found here.
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Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 8-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.