He not only survived one serious wounding, but came back as a Green Beret to become one of many heroes in a cross-border conflict on, which is the focus of this story. While slow reading, this introduction provides the background for the character traits that made him such an outstanding soldier. The books itself starts slow, spending a great deal of time on the humble Texas beginnings of Sgt Benavidez. Even if you don't agree with the politics that sent them to foreign lands, the two soldiers I observed, like this book's subject, Roy Benavidez, have gone where few in this country will ever go. Why this long introduction to a book review? Because, whether we as a people deserve it or not, this country continues to produce young men and women who go in harm's way to protect our freedoms. When they got to the top, they raised their arms in a Rocky-like celebration. They hobbled down the steps, sat down to have a snack, then one looked at the other and said, 'Let's do this.' They grabbed each other's hand, and slowly, slowly made their way up the steps.

Two young soldiers in PT gear, both with one artificial leg below the knee (one right and one left) came out with their wives/girlfriends.

As a military retiree, my wife had just gone through major surgery and I was taking a break with a sandwich on the front steps that overlooked the lawn that covered the underground parking lot. As I read this book, I was brought back to a warm, sunny Friday afternoon ten years ago at the old Walter Reed Hospital.

Legend by eric blehm