There are Good Guys and Bad Guys in this War

Soldier's Angels Germany (Hat tip: BlackFive):

Anti-Afghan Forces detonate a rocket on a convoy in Afghanistan with children in the immediate area. The 951st EN Sapper Co, attached to Task Force Spartan, treat Afghan children wounded when they are conducting a routine patrol near Charkh Afghanistan and their convoy is struck by a rocket. Spc Chris Baker of Task Force Spartan, 10th Mountain Division, reports.

This horrific act was captured on video by a camera mounted on a coalition vehicle. Eyewitnesses report the triggerman had full line of sight to the child standing just several feet away from the hidden rocket - but he detonated it anyway. You can see the child stagger out of the dust cloud resulting from the explosion. (Not shown: His injuries were treated by US soldiers on the scene and he was brought to a US medical facility for further treatment.)

Recall, as well, the story of Pfc. Stephen Tschiderer in 2005, a medic who was shot in the chest by a sniper in Iraq. From Curt's post:

Pfc. Stephen Tschiderer, a native of Mendon, N.Y., and a medic with E Troop, 101st ?Saber? Cavalry Division, attached to 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, 256th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, was shot in the chest by an enemy sniper, during a routine patrol in west Baghdad.

While Tschiderer was relaying information to the truck commander of his M114 Humvee, an enemy sniper team prepared to engage him from inside of a cushioned silver van being used as a mobile sniper?s nest. This nest was lined with numerous bed mattresses to muffle the sound of a Dragonoff sniper rifle fired through a hole just big enough for the shooter to engage his target of choice.

Tschiderer was knocked to the ground from the sudden impact of the sniper?s bullet. The bullet only seemed to have fazed this Soldier as, adrenaline pumping, he sprang right back up in order to take cover and locate the enemy??s position.

The sniper was unsuccessful in his mission, due to the stopping force of the Tschiderer?s daily wardrobe, his protective body armor, which saved his life.

?I knew I was hit, but was uncertain of the damage or location from the hit,? Tschiderer said. ?The only thing that was going through my mind was to take cover and locate the sniper?s position.?

?The shot came from my 12 o’?clock position from a silver van parked across an intersection about 75 meters from my location? said Tschiderer.

After Tschiderer alerted his fellow Soldiers of the enemy location, they immediately began to pursue the terrorists.

Due to his heroic actions and quick decisions, Tschiderer located the enemy while he took cover and alerted the rest of his team on patrol. As the Saber team engaged and disabled the sniper?s position, two terrorists fled on foot, leaving a blood trail that came from the wounds of the enemy sniper.

A cordon and search was immediately set up and Tschiderer assisted his team in the search of the two terrorists. The driver of the silver vehicle was detained by a team from B Co. 3-156th Inf. Bn. while Tschiderer and a team from B Company, 4th Battalion, 1st Iraqi Army Brigade, continued to follow the blood trail which led them to the yard where the wounded sniper lay in pain.

As Tschiderer secured the terrorist with a pair of handcuffs, he gave medical aid to the wounded terrorist, ?the same one who? had tried to take his life.

Insurgent video of Tschiderer getting hit:



Yes, this may be part of the narrative and the reality, much to our shame; but so too is this, much to our credit. And the good the majority of our soldiers accomplish every day overwhelmingly outweigh the shameful conduct of the minority.

Simply put, our soldiers are heroes. It's ok to admit. There is no moral equivalence here; no moral relativity. They are the good guys. Those they fight? Not so much:

Iraq: Al-Qaeda ‘used 24 child suicide bombers in last two years

Iraqi Woman Had 80 Women Raped & Turned Into Suicide Bombers (Video)

Taliban Use Human Shields To Protect Them In Bajaur Agency

Cross-posted at Flopping Aces