PS, Met a guy you might know this weekend Dave, "Bull" Palmieri, fun guy, a little tall for my taste, but great dude
My favorite Bull Palmieri war story:
He and his team drive up on the site of a fresh IED ambush. One of the vehicles is laid out, one of the kids bent and bleeding.
"WHO'S IN CHARGE HERE?!"
"THE LT'S HIT!"
Taking charge, Bull puts out security, aiming everyone out, and pushes his guys out to back up the Legs. He grabs a med bag from his own Humvee and runs to tend to the fallen lieutenant who's trying to get a radio message out but failing.
"HEY, YOU'RE GOING TO BE OK, LIEUTENANT! STOP MOVING!"
Bull takes a knee next to him and does a quick survey on the wounded officer to tend the man's abdominal wound.
"THANK GOD. ARE YOU A MEDIC?!"
Bull smiles at him as he rips open a dressing and says, "NOPE -- BUT I STAYED IN A HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS LAST NIGHT!"
"AH, SHIT, DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH!"
Lieutenant patched up, he goes to check the line and adjust security and puts out arcs of fire when more friendly vehicles show up. He's got full charge of the scene when who shows up at his elbow but a command sergeant major.
"Shit, sorry Sergeant Major! I know they're your guys!'
"Hell Top, it looks like you're in charge here. Where do you need us?"