U.S. Afghanistan hero saved 36!

We always like to hear hero stories, especially when it means American lives have been saved in battle.

So it is truly inspiring that a former Kentucky farm boy, U.S. Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer, has received our nation's highest military combat award, the Medal of Honor, for charging through heavy gunfire -- five times in a row -- to rescue 13 U.S. troops and 23 Afghan soldiers who had been ambushed in Afghanistan in September 2009.

The Americans and Afghans were engaged in a six-hour firefight -- can you even imagine it? -- with Tailban enemies, who killed several U.S. troops.

Meyer was wounded himself, as he killed at least eight enemies in the lengthy battle.

The Medal of Honor winner humbly remarked: "It's hard, it's ... you know, ... getting recognized for the worst day in your life, so it's ... it's a really tough thing."

We are so proud that there are great Americans with such courage. We regret that so many must face such terrible circumstances.

It also is painful for us, here in the safety of the United States, to realize how dangerous it is for so many fine young Americans who are engaged in war in faraway Afghanistan, with no end in sight.