Afghans sheltered SEAL from Taliban

CNN ^ | 11 July 2005

[Lorianne]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Afghan villagers sheltered a U.S. Navy SEAL wounded in a battle last month with the Taliban until they could get word to American forces to rescue him, a military official said Monday.

The SEAL was part of a four-man reconnaissance team that went missing June 28 after calling for help during a firefight in the mountains near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

The other three members of the team died in the fighting, and a MH-47 helicopter crashed as it brought reinforcements, killing all 16 people on board.

The military said it believes insurgents shot down the chopper.

Military officials said a rocket exploded near the surviving SEAL, knocking him off his feet and down a mountainside in steep terrain. He then managed to stay out of sight of the insurgents, officials said.

The commando suffered multiple leg wounds but was able to walk about two miles (three or four kilometers) through the mountains to get away, according to a U.S. military official, who insisted on anonymity.

An Afghan villager found the SEAL and hid him in his village, the official said.

According to military accounts, Taliban fighters came to the village and demanded the American be turned over, but villagers refused.

[in hoc signo vinces]

you gotta like that kinda love...amazed it's a CNN story.

[Let's Roll]

God Bless and PROTECT those villagers.

[Echo Talon]

OH WOW! I THOUGHT THEY ALL HATED US! hmmmm /sarcasm

[E Rocc]

OH WOW! I THOUGHT THEY ALL HATED US! hmmmm /sarcasm

You beat me to it.

-Eric

[Toidylop]

Well, if you're just take the MSM for granted.

[Toidylop]

Well, if you're just takeing the MSM for granted.

[armymarinemom]

God Bless them. I hope our forces keep an eye on this village.

[Clara Lou]

I'm wondering if the Afghan villagers will face reprisal because of this. It's world news now.

[Lorianne]

I agree. It sounds like some Afghans will stand up to the Talibanis.

[twigs]

I worry about this being publicized. The village could suffer serious consequences from the Taliban. But I applaud their courage!

[ClaireSolt]

nominate to be a sister city

[Mylo]

THIS is why I get so upset at FReepers who say that we need to declare war against all Islam. Gee, there is only a BILLION of them, and guys like these in Afghanistan, voters in Iraq, protester in Iran, agitators in Egypt, demonstrators in Lebanon; are at least partially ON OUR SIDE.

[VladimirX]

Even more surprising is that it happened in the Afghan-Pak border, which is purportedly filled with American & jew hating Pushtoons.

[elcid1970]

Brave, brave villagers! The very salt of the earth. May the Lord bless and protect them!

[in hoc signo vinces]

Not if a garrison of Afghani Army is placed there.

Plus...I think the US has been using that villages as a FOB during the search for the remaining SEAL.

But I hear ya! I hope they get some protection.

[sharktrager]

Impossible. Afghanistan is a quagmire and they want us to leave. I read it on-line.

Scared Bunny Blog
Not for the easily offended

[Echo Talon]

THIS is why I get so upset at FReepers who say that we need to declare war against all Islam. Gee, there is only a BILLION of them, and guys like these in Afghanistan, voters in Iraq, protester in Iran, agitators in Egypt, demonstrators in Lebanon; are at least partially ON OUR SIDE.

I'd be nice if you started hearing stories of the moderate ones killing the terrorists wouldn't it? Not holdin' my breath.

[PigRigger]

"I'm wondering if the Afghan villagers will face reprisal because of this. It's world news now."

Probably so, but sooner or later you have to stop running and stand for what you believe in.

Similar to the WOT in general. We can cut and run, we can placate the enemy for a time, but we will have to fight them eventually. There is no escape, the battle will be fought one way or another.

May God bless these people.

IMHO

[E Rocc]

THIS is why I get so upset at FReepers who say that we need to declare war against all Islam. Gee, there is only a BILLION of them, and guys like these in Afghanistan, voters in Iraq, protester in Iran, agitators in Egypt, demonstrators in Lebanon; are at least partially ON OUR SIDE.

Not to mention pretty much all the ones that live here.

-Eric