When I come across an inspiring story of heroism and true courage, I like to share it. It is important that we never lose sight of the individual acts of incredible sacrifice and commitment to brothers in arms. The mainstream media may want to make the war on terror about international relations and politics and party debates, but the real war is about the men and women who see the faces of our enemy and then take up their weapons to keep that enemy from our shores.

The story of Private First Class Stephen Sanford is a story you should know. On November 19, 2005 Pfc. Sanford serving with the 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172d Stryker Brigade Combat Team in Mosul, Iraq. When his squad became involved in an intense firefight in a home, PFC. Sanford was shot in the leg. Despite his injury, he remained with his squad for a second assault on the target and later remained to assist in the evacuation of casualties. He returned to the home a second time to provide covering fire while the final injured soldiers were evacuated. When the last soldier to leave the house was shot in the neck, PFC. Sanford ran to his fallen comrade’s side and began to perform CPR. As he was attempting to revive the soldier, he was shot twice in the back. PFC. Sanford managed to return fire and kill an insurgent. He was then shot two more times, but he continued to return fire and shield the fallen soldier until he was incapacitated by his own loss of blood. PFC. Sanford was just awarded the Distinguished Service Cross which is second only to the Medal of Honor.

This act of selflessness and unhesitating sacrifice for a fellow solider is what we should be talking about. But you won’t hear this story on the news, you won’t see PFC Sanford on cable talking about what the war means to him. Instead you will continue to see politicians and pundits sitting at desks and discussing what the war means to the world and many will presume to talk about what the war means to our troops. But no one is asking PFC Sanford or the men he fought with what the war means. Because their answer might not be one that takes sides on the war. Their answer might just be that the war for them is about the men standing beside them. The men they have laughed with, fought with and bleed with.