Posted on 08/13/2004 11:37:38 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
It wasn't much of an acceptance speech.
"I want to thank Huntsville for its support," Spc. Brian Scott told the Huntsville City Council quietly. "I see a lot of support 'round Huntsville. Thank you."
It was actions, not words, that brought the room to its feet Thursday night as the council gave Scott a standing ovation.
An Army combat medic, Scott is serving a tour of duty with the 401st Transportation Company in Iraq. On July 5, Scott's unit was attacked as it traveled through the northern city of Mosul.
Spc. Greg Davis, a gunner on top of a truck two vehicles in front, was hit. Scott ran to him while under fire and stabilized him with first aid until a Medevac arrived, saving his life.
To Scott, the incident, which is likely to earn him the Army Commendation Medal with Valor when his unit returns to the States in November, was no big deal.
"I just reacted," he told The Times. "It was automatic."
The City Council, which passed a resolution commending Scott's actions, begged to differ.
"He went beyond the call of duty," Mayor Loretta Spencer said. "He's a hero."
Ten days ago, Scott was in a war zone. In 10 days' time, he will be going back. But for now, the 23-year-old from Huntsville is enjoying a surreal 15 days of home leave.
"It's a good feeling, but it's weird," he said.
Since he arrived home Aug. 5, Scott said he has been eating out a lot and watching the Atlanta Braves. He's also been catching up with his wife, Krissa, and son, Wesley, 3, whom he hasn't seen for nine months.
"When I left he was saying words," he said. "Now he's putting sentences together."
Scott said facilities for soldiers in Iraq are good, but the situation is frustrating.
"The Army tries to make morale high, providing lots of concerts and access to computers," he said. "There's almost too much attention to that stuff, and not much attention to what needs to be done.
"Right now we're standing back, letting them come to us, when you've got to go to them."
As for being a hero? Scott didn't want to talk about the July 5 incident, saying he had been ordered not to go into details. But Mosul is "75 percent anti-coalition," he said, and he has been in combat several times.
"It's more than five and less than 10," he said. "I'm not keeping count."
Times Staff Writer John Peck contributed to this report.
See? When you do something heroic... Everybody talks about it.
Kerry's heroics only show up in his after action reports.
Huntsville, as in Texas?
As in Alabama. Follow the news link and you'll see.
Alabama... an occupied state? =o)
I agree. Wish we would see more of these articles.
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