Sergeant Thomas Block invited to State of the Union Address
Sergeant Thomas Block of the 3rd Battalion, 75th Rangers has been invited by Democrat Congressman Tom Walz to attend the State of the Union Address tonight, according to the Military Times;
On Oct. 6, 2013, Block and his fellow Rangers were on a mission to dismantle a group of insurgents planning suicide bombing attacks in the area. As the Rangers entered the target compound, a suspected suicide bomber detonated herself near the troops.
Block was thrown 35 feet into a haphazard minefield. Four other soldiers died on that mission and nearly two dozen others were wounded.
Because of the bomb, Block lost his right eye and suffered multiple lacerations to his legs, and burns and shrapnel wounds on his left side. The blast shattered his nose and right cheekbone and caused his left lung to collapse.
After more than year of recovery and multiple operations, Block continues to work on his recovery, conduct Ranger physical training multiple times a day and share his story.
Block has spoken at leadership courses, mentored fellow wounded warriors, and even counseled the Oakland Raiders football team about resilience, perseverance and recovery. His goal is to inspire and motivate others while remaining a Ranger.
Block was honored as the 2014 Military Times Soldier of the Year during a July 30 ceremony on Capitol Hill.
I’m glad that SGT Block will be there and I won’t. I’m not a big fan of Congressman Walz, either. I know TSO is, but I can’t get past the fact that Walz ran for office on being a Iraq War veteran, but he supported the war from Italy.
None of that should cloud SGT Block’s moment, though. It’s an honor to be invited to the SOTU address and I congratulate him. He certainly earned this moment for himself.
Category: Real Soldiers
Hasn’t the guy been through enough?
Why make him go to a bloviating ceremony of such a dishonorable clown that has undermined his efforts in just about every way possible?
I’d be insulted personally. F Hussein and his clown clown.
^^^ THIS ^^^
LOL! Exactly!
But, I salute his service and his determination to not let taking that bite out of the shit sandwich ruin his life. Well done Sergeant!
So, a congressman invites a hero, and Øbola and da Mooch invite an illegal to the SOTU? Ana Zamora, a “Dreamer” has been invited to the SOTU by one, or both, of them, just to stick their finger in the eye of the citizens of the U.S., yet again. Not to mention those in line, trying to enter the U.S. legally.
“A suspected suicide bomber detonated herself…” Uhhhh, yeah, I think that goes way beyond “suspected.”
Anyway, nothing but respect for SGT Block. He has more honor and courage than everybody else there combined.
From the School of Duh
Minor correction on Walz (although I do admit I like the guy) he technically claimed to have been “deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom” not Iraq. And yeah, he never left Italy.
I will freely admit that is weaselly as hell. I just liked him personally when I spent some time with him. Still think that claim was REALLY bad.
Put this soldier’s picture in the FAQ for how to properly wear the headgear
Not to be the correction snob, but isn’t Congressman Tim Walz? Not Tom. He is the Bill Originator for H.R. Bill 5059; the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Act.