The Courage of the Free

Grenada became a "land of the free" after the American invasion of 1983.

Now from a post in Power Line, reporting on a Guardian article we learn that Grenada has become a "home of the brave".

The Allies We Want...

...are, fortunately, for the most part the ones we have. The Guardian reports that a British private from Grenada has been awarded the Victoria Cross for heroism in Iraq--the first such award since the Falkland Islands war, and the first VC given to a living soldier since 1969. The citation describes Private Johnson Beharry's bravery in two separate engagements last summer, when he was driving a Warrior armored vechicle in southern Iraq:

The Warrior was hit again by RPGs. It caught fire and filled with thick, noxious smoke.
Pte Beharry, continues the citation, "assessed that his best course of action to save the lives of his crew was to push through, out of the ambush. He drove his Warrior directly through the barricade, not knowing if there were mines or improvised explosive devices placed there to destroy his vehicle. By doing this he was able to lead the remaining five Warriors behind him towards safety."

Another RPG hit the Warrior. "The flames and force of the blast passed directly over him, down the driver's tunnel, further wounding the semi-conscious gunner in the turret."

Pte Beharry was "forced to drive the vehicle along the rest of the ambushed route, some 1,500 metres, with his hatch opened up and his head exposed to enemy fire, all the time with no communications with any other vehicle."

A 7.62mm bullet penetrated his helmet and remained lodged on its inner surface.

Pte Beharry then climbed on to the turret of the burning vehicle and, "seemingly oblivious to the incoming enemy small arms fire, manhandled his wounded platoon commander out of the turret, off the vehicle and to the safety of a nearby Warrior".

Remounting his burning vehicle for the third time...

Well, you get the picture. In the second engagement, Beharry's convoy was ambushed again, and an RPG exploded six inches from his head. One thing I like about the Guardian's account is that, like most very brave men, Beharry has a sense of humor:

He was asked what was going through his mind at the time. "An RPG", Pte Beharry promptly replied.

As the end of the old song has it:

Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Power that has made and preserved us as a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust";
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And perhaps other flags are flying over other such land these days.

And perhaps "government of the people, by the people, for the people" is flourishing, not perishing.

But this is in the hands of a just and merciful Providence.

May His Name be praised.

Personal note: This story was of special interest because I was reminded of a special friend from the Carribean of similiar character, wit, and good looks.