'Make Every Day a Masterpiece:' Green Beret, Wounded Warrior honored for service

Photo By Staff Sgt. William Waller | Capt. Benjamin Harrow, left, is presented the Meritorious Service Medal by Col. Robert Kirila, the Deputy Commander of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) during a ceremony honoring his service as a Special Forces soldier. Harrow, a native of Long Island New York and a double amputee, was wounded while leading a patrol May 5, 2012, in Afghanistan.  

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FL, UNITED STATES

12.09.2015

Story by Maj. Thomas Cieslak 

7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - The service, resolve and resiliency of a Special Forces soldier was recognized in a ceremony held Dec. 8 on Eglin Air Force Base by members of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

Capt. Benjamin Harrow, a double amputee, received the Meritorious Service Medal in a ceremony marking the end of his service as a soldier and the beginning of his transition into civilian life.

On May 5th 2012, there were many certainties for the Operational Detachment Alpha that Harrow was leading in Afghanistan, as well as many unknowns, said a Special Forces Captain now in charge of the team Harrow led when he was wounded. Members of the team did not expect they would save a life that day, especially the life of their leader, he continued. Most importantly, said the Captain, each of the members of his team knew that Harrow had the drive, passion and determination to be one of America’s best, even after his injury.

Harrow, a native of Long Island, New York, and a 2005 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, was severely wounded May 5, 2012. While leading a foot patrol of fellow Green Berets in Afghanistan, Harrow stepped on an improvised explosive device. The detonation resulted in the amputation of both his legs below the knee and severe damage to his right arm.

“You came to our team and you were a true leader, approachable, a mentor who listened to your NCO’s [noncommissioned officers] and just made our team stronger,” said a senior Special Forces noncommissioned officer who was with Harrow when he was injured in Afghanistan. “Sir, I have seen a change in you…after the incident in Afghanistan that almost took your life away. I have to say that I am so proud and happy to see you not only with a new daughter, but with your wife Gina and son Peyton by your side, only making you stronger than you were already.”

In the course of his recovery, Harrow has remained active and even served as a goalie for both the United States and Italian Paralympic Hockey Teams. He has also received several honors from the Chicago Blackhawks, the New York Yankees and the Gary Sinise Foundation.

“Make every day a masterpiece, that’s what I try and do now,” advised Harrow to the soldiers gathered at the ceremony. From my perspective, having almost everything taken away from me and then building it back up and not wanting to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair, I urge you to do the same, concluded Harrow.

• Date Taken: 12.09.2015
• Date Posted: 12.10.2015 09:40
• Story ID: 184113
• Location: EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FL, US
• Hometown: LONG ISLAND CITY, NY, US
• Hometown: LONG ISLAND CITY/QUEENS/NEW YORK, NY, US