Tony Gartner, Washington Post: General, Colonel Sterling’s order to activate lights, was that a standard response to enemy infiltration of the lines?
General Hershberg: At the critical moment, in spite of terrible losses, Colonel Sterling didn’t hesitate to act. Ordering those tanks to turn on their lights saved the lives of God knows how many of our men. Heroic acts arise out of desperate circumstances.
Tony Gartner, Washington Post: I have no trouble at all believing Colonel Sterling is a hero.
General Hershberg: Like Captain Karen Walden. Did you know, Mr Gartner, that for the first time a woman is being considered for the medal of honor for her performance under fire? And, um… Colonel Sterling is just finishing up the inquiry. How’s that going, Nat?
Nathaniel Serling: I think, uh… in order to honor a soldier like Karen Walden, we have to tell the truth, General, about what happened over there. The whole, hard… cold truth. And until we do that, uh, we dishonor her and every soldier who died, who gave their life for their country.
[Colonel Sterling gets up out of his chair, walks over to General Hershberg and throws his report on the desk]
Nathaniel Serling: My full report General.

I am a married, 29 year old Iraqi War Veteran, an above the knee amputee on my left side and a 2008 Paralympian. I love the USA and all that it stands for. - Melissa Stockwell

I could go on and on about recalling this week’s sad example of an overpaid self-absorbed millionaire professional athlete complaining about hurt feelings.

But I won’t. It is Sunday. The weather is remarkably football conducive and there is nary a cloud in the sky. And besides, I promised to take the kids to the zoo today. Yes, we go there a lot. One of the simple joys of parenthood is to watch the awe and excitement of a couple of toddlers visiting the bears exhibit and saying hello to the baby seals.

And then later tonight, I’ll don my new CUTLER jersey (thanks to the wife) and watch with great interest Bears vs Broncos at Mile High Stadium, home of the turbulent reign of Josh McDaniels.

Let’s get back to our business at hand. And recognize true heroism, self-sacrifice and dedication not to just sport but to the freedom and protection of our great nation.

Today, is the Accenture ParaTriathlon Challenge taking place right here in Chicago. And participating in the triathlon is Melissa Stockwell, the toughest athlete you will find in Chicago over this weekend.

Check out this little excerpt from Phillip Hersch’s excellent column:

After all, what is a sore hand to a woman who went from losing nearly all of her left leg five years ago in Iraq to swimming at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, where she carried the American flag in the Closing Ceremony while wearing a prosthetic leg decorated with stars and stripes?

Just a month ago, Stockwell was third of five women finishers in the handcycle division at the Sadler’s Alaska Challenge, a 250-mile, eight-day race with 16,000 feet of climbing billed as the “longest wheelchair and handcycle race in the world.”

At 29, the retired Army lieutenant decorated with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star thinks her handcycling days should be over. Stockwell is ready to concentrate on paratriathlon, a sport pushing for inclusion on the 2016 Paralympic Games program.

Inspiring. Class. Sports at its best.

And it gets better.

Check out Melissa’s own words of determination and excitement from her blog:

This weekend will mark another first for me. My first attempt at an Olympic Distance triathlon, the Chicago tri. A 1 mile swim, 26 mile bike and 6.2 mile run. I’ve been training for the past few weeks but my few weeks of laziness after Alaska won’ help me on Sunday. The swim will be fine, the bike I’ll finish at my slow pace, but it’s the transition from bike to run and the run that I’m a bit nervous about. My furthest to date run is 4 miles. And even though my running has dramatically improved and I’m becoming real fond of it, 6.2 miles after that bike ride, won’t be easy. I know I’ll get to the finish line. My goal of 4 hours may be a stretch and realistically 4.5 may be a better estimate but I’ll just see what I can do.

She’ll make that finish line. Have no doubts whatsoever.

Best of luck today, Melissa. God bless you for your tremendous service to our country. And thanks for continuing to inspire.