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How the Shepherd Saved the SEAL
Time Magazine ^
| 11 July 2005
| Tim McGirk
Posted on 07/11/2005 6:32:18 PM PDT by Racehorse
A crackle in the brush. That's the sound the Afghan herder recalls hearing as he walked alone through a pine forest last month. When he looked up, he saw an American commando, his legs and shoulder bloodied. The commando pointed his gun at the Afghan. "Maybe he thought I was a Taliban," says the shepherd, Gulab. "I remembered hearing that if an American sticks up his thumb, it is a friendly gesture. So that's what I did." To make sure the message was clear, Gulab lifted his tunic to show the American he wasn't hiding a weapon. He then propped up the wounded commando, and together the pair hobbled down the steep mountain trail to Sabari-Minah, a cluster of adobe-and-wood homes--crossing, for the time being, to safety.
[. . .]
After taking the SEAL to Sabari-Minah, Gulab called a village council and explained that the American needed protection from Taliban hunters. It was the SEAL's good fortune that the villagers were Pashtun, who are honor-bound never to refuse sanctuary to a stranger. By then, said Gulab, "the American understood that we were trying to save him, and he relaxed a bit."
The Taliban was not so agreeable. [. . .]
(Excerpt) Read more at time.com ...
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: afghanistan; navy; navyseal; oef; rescue; seals; taliban; wia
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"The tale of an Afghan's amazing rescue of a wounded U.S. commando"
Relatively long story. Good read.
1
posted on
07/11/2005 6:32:18 PM PDT
by
Racehorse
To: Racehorse
Dear Lord, sometimes I love people...
2
posted on
07/11/2005 6:37:20 PM PDT
by
Marie
(Stop childhood obesity. Give them Marlboros, not milkshakes.)
To: Racehorse
How long do you think Gulab has left? But;
Thanks Gulab !
3
posted on
07/11/2005 6:40:34 PM PDT
by
kendu
To: Racehorse
Aren't they putting the Pashtun villagers in danger from the Taliban by telling this story?
4
posted on
07/11/2005 6:44:01 PM PDT
by
wjersey
To: kendu
I would hope the US has offered him and his family the option of relocation, preferably where ever they want with a generous set up.
5
posted on
07/11/2005 6:45:19 PM PDT
by
paul51
(11 September 2001 - Never forget)
To: Racehorse
WE need to find this man and his family and protect him.
To: Racehorse
7
posted on
07/11/2005 6:46:43 PM PDT
by
bitt
('We will all soon reap what the ignorant are now sowing.' Victor Davis Hanson)
To: Travis McGee; DevSix
8
posted on
07/11/2005 6:48:38 PM PDT
by
Squantos
(Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
To: bitt; neverdem; Slings and Arrows; CHARLITE
9
posted on
07/11/2005 6:48:41 PM PDT
by
bitt
('We will all soon reap what the ignorant are now sowing.' Victor Davis Hanson)
To: Racehorse
I bet this man is taken care of handsomely by the SEAL fraternity.
10
posted on
07/11/2005 6:48:45 PM PDT
by
bolobaby
To: Racehorse
11
posted on
07/11/2005 6:50:18 PM PDT
by
Constitution Day
(I'm a Freeploader. Wouldn't you like to be a Freeploader too?)
To: kendu; wjersey; paul51
Gulab now fears that his act of compassion may mean his death warrant. After returning the SEAL, he went back to grab his family and flee before the Taliban would come round seeking revenge.
There's your answer.
12
posted on
07/11/2005 6:51:31 PM PDT
by
visualops
(www.visualops.com - - *Citizen* not *serf*. No eminent domain abuse!)
To: visualops
doesn't answer much at all. He about to run to another valley?
13
posted on
07/11/2005 6:54:24 PM PDT
by
kendu
To: Racehorse
Bump for a good article from Time no less.
14
posted on
07/11/2005 6:56:09 PM PDT
by
Log
To: kendu
Well, it's not like he called and told me ;^)
Those folks live up in the mountains, not valleys.
15
posted on
07/11/2005 6:57:44 PM PDT
by
visualops
(www.visualops.com - - *Citizen* not *serf*. No eminent domain abuse!)
To: visualops
The Taliban was not so agreeable.
That night the fighters sent a message to the villagers:
"We want this infidel." A firm reply from the village chief, Shinah, shot back.
"The American is our guest, and we won't give him up as long as there's a man or a woman left alive in our village."
16
posted on
07/11/2005 6:58:40 PM PDT
by
Constitution Day
(I'm a Freeploader. Wouldn't you like to be a Freeploader too?)
To: All
I hope they make a special effort to protect that little village. You know the bad guys are coming for them.
To: Racehorse
Wow. That is amazing. May that village be blessed.
18
posted on
07/11/2005 7:04:55 PM PDT
by
spetznaz
(Nuclear tipped ICBMs: The Ultimate Phallic Symbol.)
To: Racehorse
19
posted on
07/11/2005 7:06:04 PM PDT
by
spetznaz
(Nuclear tipped ICBMs: The Ultimate Phallic Symbol.)
To: Squantos
May God bless shepherd Gulab (and his entire village) - And continued prayers for our fallen warriors and their families.
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