Being in the right place

I want to relay a story I recently heard that I think makes a point of what people are going through right now as it relates to the economy and what it ultimately means. I hope this story is as inspirational to you as it was to me.

Sgt Greg Stubey is a Special Forces soldier who was injured in Afghanistan by a RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade). Sgt Stubey was saved by another Special Forces soldier, it is this soldier the story is ultimately about.

Sgt Stubey was an instructor at the Special Forces Medic Training course. He was the person who made the decision weather a soldier was passed or failed from the Medic training. The soldier who saved Sgt Stubey's life was a soldier who went through training with Sgt Stubey. After going through all the initial training that is required of all Special Forces personnel and then going on to the Advanced training which was the Medic training, this soldier was told he was not being passed. He had failed the course.

After the initial disappointment of not making it passed, he asked Sgt Stubey what was his options. Sgt Stubey told him there were only two. He could either go back to his line unit or he could go through the Medic training all over again. Having the mindset of a Special Forces operator, he chose to go through it again instead of giving up. Sgt Stubey was even harder on him the second time. It eventually got to be so bad that about half way through the training, the soldier asked Sgt Stubey what his problem was with him. Sgt Strubey's reply was he had no problem with him, he just does not believe this soldier has the ability to save a life. He went on to tell him that he might very well have to save someones life, it could even be his (Sgt Stubey's), and he was not going to pass someone who he didn't feel could do the job. He went on to tell him to do the work and earn the right. The soldier did do the work, and did go on to wear the Special Forces tab.

On his first assignment, he was assigned the Sgt Stubey in Afghanistan. On the first mission, an RPG went through the Humvee that was carrying Sgt Stubey. The rocket went into Sgt Stubey from the rear and during it's flight through Sgt Stubey, spilled the majority of it's fuel into Sgt Stubey. Sgt Stubey was blown out of the Humvee where his leg was blown off by the explosion. He also had his intestines hanging out of him as he lay their. The soldier who he would not pass because he did not want him going unprepared was the soldier who ran to his aid. The only thing he was able to say to him before passing out was "no hard feeling, right?). This same soldier was responsible for saving Sgt Stubey's life.

The reason I tell this story is because there are many people out their who are going through incredible hardships right now. Many people are losing their homes, their jobs. their fortunes. Maybe, just maybe, these people are being positioned before the ultimate problems with the economy and the country come to a head. Maybe it is these people who will be the ones who will be responsible for helping the masses cope with the coming trials, because they have already gone through them and can attest to the fact that people will survive. If nothing else, it should give you great inspiration to know that you can face incredible odds and still succeed.

Stay positive and continue the good fight. Earl