Did you see the emotion-evoking photo
of injured soldier, Corporal Josh Hargis, saluting his commander … while
thought to be unconscious during the recent awarding of his Purple Heart? Cpl. Hargis, an Army Ranger, was seriously
injured on 6 October, in a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan. He surprised everyone in the hospital room by
painstakingly raising his arm to salute.
Josh's actions affected all of those
present … moving many to tears … and his commander recorded what happened with
a photo and a note, sending both to Josh's wife, Taylor Hargis, who then posted
them on her Facebook page. The photo and
letter were also posted on the Guardian
of Valor website, along with a description of the suicide bomb attack that
led to Josh's serious injuries and the death of several other members of his unit.
Here is what Taylor Hargis posted on
her Facebook page:
I
received this picture today along with a letter from the commander of the team
Josh was a part of on the night of his injuries. A letter to explain to me what kind of man I
have the privilege of being married to. He
explained to me what happened and what was going on in the picture. “Josh was seriously wounded as you know, and
survived for almost two hours after his injury before arriving to the hospital.
Josh was immediately pushed through a
series of surgeries and emerged hours later into an intensive care unit here at
our base in Afghanistan. Despite being
in intense pain and mental duress, Josh remained alert and compassionate to the
limited Rangers that were allowed to visit his bedside. Prior to Josh being moved to Germany for his
eventual flight to America, we conducted a ceremony to award him with the
Purple Heart for wounds received in action. A simple ceremony, you can picture a room full
of Rangers, leaders, doctors, and nurses surrounding his bedside while the
Ranger Regimental Commander pinned the Purple Heart to his blanket. During the presentation the Commander
publishes the official orders verbally and leaned over Josh to thank him for his
sacrifice. Josh, whom everybody in the
room (over 50 people) assumed to be unconscious, began to move his right arm
under the blanket in a diligent effort to salute the Commander as is customary
during these ceremonies. Despite his
wounds, wrappings, tubes, and pain, Josh fought the doctor who was trying to
restrain his right arm and rendered the most beautiful salute any person in
that room had ever seen. I cannot impart
on you the level of emotion that poured through the intensive care unit that
day. Grown men began to weep and we were
speechless at a gesture that speaks volumes about Josh's courage and character.
The picture, which we believe belongs on
every news channel and every newspaper, is attached. I have it hanging above my desk now and will
remember it as the single greatest event I have witnessed in my ten years in
the Army.”
Josh Hargis (24) and his wife Taylor
are reportedly expecting their first child. According to reports, he has been brought from
Afghanistan to Germany and on to San Antonio, Texas to continue recovering from
his injuries.
Rev.
Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain
(Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor,
Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel
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