Matt,

Curiosity always seems to get the better of us and I myself often found myself wondering more about what happened there than actually being concerned for the ONE’s family, friends and personal well being.
I thank you for putting them questions to rest and for focusing my attention to the real matter of importance, that of a brave warrior that defeated all odds and reminded me of what a SEAL really is – someone special doing an extraordinary job. I believe that he is surrounded by people who knows best, who have been there and who can offer words of wisdom and guidance.
My prayers are with him, his family and the men still working the field. Just hope Hollywood doesn’t turn this into a circus.

As for the ONE, in the change that you might read this someday. Good on Ya mate, glad you are safe and may God bless you, your brother and your brothers!!! You guys made world sit up and take notice.

Regards,
Jan | 07.20.05 - 4:33 am | #

Matt,

As I read this my eyes are welled up and my heart is heavy and proud.

God Bless this ONE Seal and all of our military fighting the good fight. I pray for them everyday.

They must know most of America loves them for all they do for us!!!!!!!!!!

Mary G.
Mary G | 07.20.05 - 7:56 am | #

With the right director, this could make one hell of a movie. I'm not just talking about entertainment. I mean something that will cause pride in our military, increase support for their mission, and bring in the masses in droves, all at the same time. Please, not Spielberg. Maybe Eastwood. This one Seal certainly deserves our applause, and if done right, it would mean well-deserved praise for all of his brothers-in-arms as well.
Brerarnold | 07.20.05 - 9:26 am | #

God Bless him and his family and brothers. What a story of true courage, tenacity, and will. Prayers being sent!
Peg C. | 07.20.05 - 9:27 am | #

One hell of a movie is right! What an inspiring story for the next generation and for us as well.
Peg C. | 07.20.05 - 9:29 am | #

At first, I, too, was just impressed by the ONE being able to escape. But then I began to understand the pain he must be feeling for his lost comrades. Our thoughts are with him.

I can see how a movie (of support) could be great, I just have had such bad experiences with the MSM during OIF and OEF that I am almost afraid to trust them or the likes of them. All of these Seals definitely deserve our applause.

I just hate it that we wait until something like this happens to show them our support.
Politics of a Patriot | Homepage | 07.20.05 - 10:58 am | #

I have wondered how the ONE was doing. How he was feeling about being the only survivor. I pray that he has all the support and guidance he needs to get through this.

Indeed, my thoughts and prayers are with all of the SEALs (and theri families), both lost and still with us.
Rhonda | 07.20.05 - 11:00 am | #

Froggy,

Read Father Mode's posts with tears and thanks. I hope I made the cut on the care package.

Best regards
longtrail | 07.20.05 - 11:10 am | #

Matt, thanks for your cogent observations. And thanks for your service. I'm older than you - Vietnam and Central America Army Special Forces - and am gratified by the way the community today is building on what we were stumbling to construct back in those days. I was in the SOG program in Vietnam, with the recon teams, and fully appreciate the ethos of those SDV teams. High risk, low profile, complete underappreciation. Thanks for telling everyone what they do and what they go through.
I was especially interested in the creed you developed. One of my SOG buddies and a fellow author John Plaster worked on that sort of thing during our war. He came up with 'You've never lived till you've almost died. For those who fought for it freedom has a value the protected will never know.'

I agree with some of the other posts: write a book. Look what Eric Haney did with Delta Force. You can do that.

De oppresso liber,

Gordon
Gordon Cucullu | Homepage | 07.20.05 - 11:15 am | #

Matt,

I through my special someone, understand the "ONE" is back to work. Is that indeed correct?
frogsister | 07.20.05 - 12:34 pm | #

Frogsister,
I really don't know what his status is right now. He was wounded so it's hard to say. Hopefully, he's back with his platoon though.
Froggy | Homepage | 07.20.05 - 1:05 pm | #

Froggy:
The most recent Time mag has a feature story that mirrors yours. Thanks to those decent Afgan villagers that stood in the gap for the ONE!
Johnny | 07.20.05 - 1:43 pm | #

I cannot imagine being the only one to survive. Survival guilt and feelings of blame and undeserved acclaim would seem to be normal. I pray he overcomes these, and my bet is he is eager to get back into the fight and go after the enemy.
Peg C. | 07.20.05 - 1:45 pm | #

I'm so glad you posted something about him and linked to the other posts. My mom and I were just discussing how we could address cards to him at NSWF. I have thought to myself that he must feel - who knows?! There is a fiction, brain candy book called Last Man Standing, and I thought of it when this went down. Completely different circumstances but when things went down the way they did, I wondered whether he was getting proper support. I'm VERY glad to see he is.

To him, if he is reading this; you cannot believe how glad we are that you made it out. God Bless you, your family, your brothers, and may He watch over you the rest of your life the way He did that day. I'm SO happy you're here, and don't ever feel weird about being the only survivor. Maybe your role in life is partly to tell that story (even if only inside your community) and who knows what else (besides kicking serious butt). But you are here, still with us, protecting us. We're thankful and want you to be well. Sending you good thoughts to you.
adele | 07.20.05 - 1:50 pm | #

Froggy, thanks for providing an update on the ONE. I have been praying for him and can only imagine what he endured and is still going through as the only survivor. That said... he truly is a survivor and I'm confident will soldier on with the support of his family, friends and brothers in arms.
JenC. | 07.20.05 - 1:52 pm | #

Johnny, last week's TIME piece was surprisingly sympathetic and well-written -- certainly much better than the superficial one in Newsweek whining about low morale in the Teams (complaining about lack of action...say what?!). A SEAL spokesman effectively squelched that one.

That Google link (I'm still getting the alerts, the majority now having to do with harp seal killings, sealing off the Palestinians, etc.) had a link to an article about one of the killed SEALs and stated he made about $1,300 a month. Surely they cannot be serious! I know SEALs aren't making a ton but come on. Who writes this nonsense? (Matt, maybe you can clarify.)
Peg C. | 07.20.05 - 2:00 pm | #

They better not be serious!
adele | 07.20.05 - 2:46 pm | #

If I was on active duty right now I would be making something like $5800 a month before taxes. Since I live in California the housing allowance is much higher. East coast SEALs wouldn't get nearly as much housing allowance. If deployed to a combat zone, that pay would be tax free for the each month or portion of a month I spent in the combat zone. Re-enlistment bonuses for SEALs with 16+ years in the Navy max out at $150,000. That entire amount is tax free if you re-enlist in a combat zone.

While that compensation package is certainly not poverty level, it is hardly comensurate with the hazards of the profession.
Froggy | Homepage | 07.20.05 - 2:49 pm | #

Sounds like a good nomination for the Pipe Hitter of the month award to me.
Gunhaver | 07.20.05 - 5:08 pm | #

God Bless the ONE, God Bless 'em ALL, and those who found him in the darkness and brought him home...

Froggy, how are YOU doing in light of this..? You okay?
Sgt. B. | Homepage | 07.20.05 - 5:57 pm | #

Sgt. B,

I am fine, thanks for asking. I wrote 4 checks for $200 to each SEAL's wife who has left children behind. I had to short change my church this month, but I think the real ONE will understand.
Froggy | Homepage | 07.20.05 - 6:36 pm | #

Amen! This guy does need our prayers as do all of the troops right now! Thanks for putting it in perspective. God bless...
Jeremy | Homepage | 07.20.05 - 7:17 pm | #

Matt, God Bless you, too. And I know they don't get anything like what they're worth (I can think of about a 1,000 overpaid "journalists" and politicians whose wages I'd happily give to the SEALs and with no detriment whatsoever to the country) but glad you helped correct the article. If I can find it again I'll post the link.
Peg C. | 07.20.05 - 8:09 pm | #

Ran a while, shot some bad guys, ran some more, got shot in the ass so he just had to stop and laugh about how screwed up the whole situation was. Classic! Teams and Shit!
Scott King | Homepage | 07.20.05 - 10:53 pm | #

The ONE should be back at work with us in about a week and a half, once he finishes his convalescent leave. Obviously he's having issues with a bit of survivor's guilt. He'll be OK once we interrogate him on his experience and put him back to work!
trident86 | 07.21.05 - 12:00 am | #

It sounded from your post that the reinforcment team was on the scene rather quickly. Other reports have made it sound like they were dropping into the original firefight, and were exposed setting up for the drop-in. To do that knowing you are at your most vulnerable, instead of taking the safer route of dropping in out of fire is what heroes are made of. I have heard so many conflicting reports and so many foreign terms that it is hard to keep it all straight. I am glad they were awarded medals for their actions.

It's unfortunate so many in the MSM have prostituted this story for ratings and advancement when it should have been used to highlight the sacrifices soldiers offer up for their brothers in arms. I don't think most people get it. I don't really think a movie would do them justice either. Unfortunately, those in Hollywood who hate the military would reap all the profit and those who sacrifice would likely not be honored with a true to life story. For instance, George Clooney is curently shooting a movie based on the life of a CIA officer. The officer pubished a book about how beaurocratic and political the entire agency is and how it should get back to the fundamentals on which it was founded. Now Clooney, a big military basher, is playing the author in the movie. Hollywood could never do them justice. One of the fallen SEALS would probably end up being played by Ashton Kutcher or Tim Robbins. What an insult, to have people with no concept of sacrifice playing those who sacrificed everything.

There are those of us who didn't serve, but who want to understand, and who appreciate the sacrifice. And I thank you for offering us whatever insight you can, and understand some things are reserved for those who have sacrificed, to be kept private.
Anonymous | 07.21.05 - 12:35 am | #

God speed to the ONE and prayers to the families of the REST.

Semper Fidelis, Frogmen...
thebronze | 07.21.05 - 12:36 am | #

Anon,
I agree with you 100% about the movie idea, hollywood is not capable of fairly portraying the military, especially specwar. They would be all about showing some poor women and children getting bombed in their village by a CAS call gone awry. They would have this concurrent plotline about how the FO who called it in met the pilot that dropped the ordnance at the chowhall and they agreed that they had been used by their heartless commanders to execute innocent civilians.

No thanks. Your comment that some of these details ought to be saved only for those who have sacrificed themselves instead of being used to make a writer famous is on the money as well.
Froggy | Homepage | 07.21.05 - 12:43 am | #

Navy SEALS with Charlie Sheen and GI Jane with Demi Moore are examples of how Hollywood will gladly prostitute the sacrifices of the special forces for their own gain. Under Siege with Steven Seagal is another example just like you wrote about. At the end both main characters complain about how they "work for the same master, and he's a lunatic and he's ungrateful." It is a military movie with a Navy SEAL main character and it makes it appear there are no redeeming qualities about a military career, especially the special forces. I wouldn't walk across the street to piss on their shoes.

I didn't understand your last comment. Could you explain? Thanks.
anonymous | 07.21.05 - 12:52 am | #

Sorry, the post I read didn't have your complete last statement.
anonymous | 07.21.05 - 12:53 am | #

Thanks to a gift subscription to Time, I just got a promo dvd for "Over There". Wow, perfect example of Hollywood and how they don't get what you do, or WHY YOU DO IT. It's so bad I'd laugh except I know some people will watch it and believe that it's true to life. Ugh.
The One, Thank you. I mean it, Thank you. You have no idea how much it meant to those of us who could do no more than watch and wait and pray that you came out of there, even when so many had not. It kept the tragedy from being complete. It reminded us to never quit, never give up hope- never. And, of course, it was a SEAL to remind us. To you and to your family, I offer my humble and completely inadaquate gratitude.
douglas | 07.21.05 - 2:26 am | #

i know this is impossible, but could families connected to those who perished ever have a chance to speak with or correspond to the ONE who lived? Of course, survivor guilt would likely remain strong and he would have a hard time discussing details, but i know it would be important to family members, including myself. could it simply be addressed to the APO address?
anon | 07.23.05 - 12:46 am | #

Matt I haven't been here in a while and wanted to know how you are coming along.also how is your baby boy and wife coming along?I do want to thank those seal and the soldiers for making the ultimate sacrifice and also the seal who survived the horrors of that battle.I also want to thank those good villagers who helped this gentlemen out to safety.Anon,you are correct about Hollwood,especially since most are self absorbed boomers and sadly many gen xers who are clueless and ungrateful for what you guys do.George Clooney and the rest of those phony,overpaid,and oversexed nitwits shouldn't be doing anything that they know nothing about.I also should point they did the "thin read line" which was nothing but a revsionist farce.At least Jimmy Stewart,Henry Fonda,Audie Murphy,and numerous others in WW2 not only served but when they played military men in the movies it was believable.Even many of the great directors of that era served such as John Ford(promoted to Rear Admiral)Frank Capra(Army Air Corps officer)William Wyler(Colonel in the Air Corps as a combat reporter)George Stephens,and a few others.But Bocho needs to stick to things he actually has had experience with and leave this to people who actually did do this stuff.
Lisa Gilliam | 07.23.05 - 1:39 am | #

The ONE is not the only one feeling survivor guilt, there are other platoon members left behind who are feeling the same thing. I believe a plan is in the works for a post deployment visit to each of the families, which I know the ONE will be a big part of. They are all grieving but going on with their jobs. Remember their deployment is not over yet.
anonymous | 07.25.05 - 10:37 pm | #

WE do not think it is your place to describe the member OR any identifying information about he or his family. These men are those that fly under the radar FOR A REASON. One you have obviously forgotten? Where is your brain? I know the "ONE" personally...trust me when I tell you that he is better off not drawing attention. Perhaps you could have contacted him before taking it upon yourself to possibly compromise his safety and anonymity.
Disgusted | 07.27.05 - 10:15 pm | #

Disgusted,
Leave your email next time. I have done nothing to put the ONE in jeopardy or danger and you should know that. Fly under the radar? When you have over 500 media reports and a Time Magazine article detailing your harrowing escape from enemy hands, flying under the radar is a fairly moot point. Talking about a tat and the guy's general size to an audience of maybe 2500 people on my blog is not likely to be harmful to the ONE.

I would be happy to contact him if I had the ability to do so. I would very much like to write about his story from a Team guy's point of view with permission from WarCom. Perhaps you can pass that on to him.
Froggy | Homepage | 07.29.05 - 4:13 pm | #

The ONE is back at work with us, and leaving to go overseas to link up with his platoon again. I've done a couple of PT runs with him, and he looks great. His wounds have healed, and his running speed is slowly coming back. He talks freely with the boys about his experience, but becomes upset if guys treat him like a hero. The guy did some remarkable things under some of the worst conditions imaginable, and he's just going to have to deal with a little hero worship, especially among the newer guys at the Team!
trident86 | 09.15.05 - 3:32 am | #

Matt,
thank you for the kind words and prayers. The one is doing well and is trying to get his life back on track. The team has made every effort to keep he and I together which I think has helped alot. You can imagine how tough it has been for him but like all frogs he is staying in the fight and is ready to bet back to work. Once again thank you.
brother
brother | 11.14.05 - 3:51 pm | #

dear brother, the one, matt, and all military:

as a non-military individual, i cannot begin to imagine the job you have to go to everyday. i walk outside my house each morning and see my country's flag proudly flying in y'alls honor and think of each one of you i know personally and of those i will never meet but know you are out there risking your life for me. for that, the most i can offer is my complete and utter gratitude and i thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul. i only wish it were more.

to the one and his brother, i miss you guys...don't be strangers! =)

much love to all.
zapzoe76 | 11.14.05 - 6:51 pm | #

brother,
Great to hear from you and glad to hear the Team is looking after its own. All the best to the two of you and if there's anything I can do, by all means, let me know. froggyruminations@gmail.com
Froggy | Homepage | 11.15.05 - 1:30 am | #

Matt,
I have served this Country for 18+ yrs now and have been blessed with having to know some great people.......namely everyone who has put on a Military uniform and fought in any way and fashion for this great Country. I'm new to this blogg stuff and was turned to it by the ONES Father so I could be informed of all the great people out there that cares for us Troopers and supports us in our daily battles againt all that try to hurt us. I know the ONE personally and even though it's been a short time and only due to his becoming a M.I.A that I got the chance to meet him and his family I'm grateful for the chance to have met him and his brother and the rest of the Team members that passed through the home area during the family get togethers. Like all of us who serve in the SPECOPS side of the military, we don't consider ourselves any better than any other trooper who wears the uniform of the United States of America. We are though highly trained and therefore Lead the rest by example. THE ONE IS REMARKABLY humble and will be just fine with the help of his platoon, family and friends. I told him one evening to live your life like the guys you lost would like you to life. They are watching you from the right hand of Gods Throne so they will not except anything else but success. God Bless us all

RANGERS LEAD THE WAY...ALL THE WAY
SFC. / RANGERS | 11.18.05 - 4:56 am | #

Hooah SFC!
Froggy | Homepage | 12.06.05 - 3:44 pm | #

Having read the story and these posts, and reflecting on the photo my brother showed me that one of his buddies gave him of his graduating class (US navy seals), in full dress whites, big grins, standing and kneeling at the bottom of a pool;

I have one suggestion for this brave fellow's recovery. "The One", though a well meant nickname, may unintentionally further his feelings of isolation, being the sole survivor.

I respectfully suggest "The Returned" may be more appropriate.
Oppenheimer | 02.03.07 - 1:28 am | #