How the Shepherd Saved the SEAL

Time Magazine ^ | 11 July 2005 | Tim McGirk

[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. [. . .]

[Racehorse]

"The tale of an Afghan's amazing rescue of a wounded U.S. commando"

Relatively long story. Good read.

[Marie]

Dear Lord, sometimes I love people...

[kendu]

How long do you think Gulab has left? But;

Thanks Gulab !

[wjersey]

Aren't they putting the Pashtun villagers in danger from the Taliban by telling this story?

[paul51]

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.

[McGavin999]

WE need to find this man and his family and protect him.

[bitt]

http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/world/2005/07/07/mcintyre.seal.wife.affl

the wife of one of the dead Seals - very touching and sincere.

[Squantos]

BTTT

[bitt]

ping

[bolobaby]

I bet this man is taken care of handsomely by the SEAL fraternity.

[Constitution Day]

Bump for later

[visualops]

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.

[kendu]

doesn't answer much at all. He about to run to another valley?

[Log]

Bump for a good article from Time no less.

[visualops]

Well, it's not like he called and told me ;^)
Those folks live up in the mountains, not valleys.

[Constitution Day]

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."

[Royal Wulff]

I hope they make a special effort to protect that little village. You know the bad guys are coming for them.

[spetznaz]

Wow. That is amazing. May that village be blessed.

[spetznaz]

Honor is beautiful.

[SevenMinusOne]

May God bless shepherd Gulab (and his entire village) - And continued prayers for our fallen warriors and their families.