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American Heroes Outdoors May 2017

by David Morse


 HERO

 “An ordinary person facing extraordinary circumstances and acting with courage, honor, and self-sacrifice” –Author Unknown

 

HOMETOWN  HERO – SAM FLOBERG

LOCATION – FARGO ND

SERVICE – North Dakota Army National Guard

JOB TITLE – 21R (Electrician)

Sam Floberg was born and raised in Fargo, ND. He graduated from Fargo North High in 1996 and soon after enlisted in the ND National Guard. In 2005 Floberg volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan with the 188th Air Defense Artillery (Alpha Battery)

On March 23rd 2006 Floberg and the 1988th arrived in country and assumed many roles to include Military Police, convoy operations, security operations, and patrols. 

On Thanksgiving Day (November 23rd) Floberg and his squad found themselves on another patrol, filling in for another squad who was rotating back for a Thanksgiving Meal. Their patrol had reached the northern border of the district and were turning around to head back south when a RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) flew by Floberg’s head. “We were ambushed”, Floberg said. Instinctually as a gunner, Floberg returned fire in the direction of the ambush. Another RPG went by nearly missing its mark. The 3rd and 4th RPG’s found their mark and both hit Floberg’s vehicle. 

According to Floberg he remembers bits and pieces after that 4th RPG but says he thinks he remained positive and in a good mood joking with his battle buddies and they extracted him from the vehicle and tried to administer first aid. (If you ever meet Sam Floberg this makes sense)

Floberg was sent to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. He spent more than eight months learning how to walk and function as an above the knee amputee. Along with the loss of a leg Floberg had a Traumatic Brain Injury, broken left foot, and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). 

Sam Floberg is a great example of selflessness, I have been hunting and fishing with him countless times and have heard him shrug off his experiences and always say, “I am lucky, there were others who had it much worse.” 

Sam is very active in many veteran organizations including the Disabled American Veterans, The American Legion, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wounded Warriors Guide Service, and American Heroes Outdoors. Sam believes in the healing quality of the outdoors and has witnessed first-hand how it can help. He Continues to find a “new normal” and help others overcome obstacles they may have in life.

There is no mold for heroism, heroes are not born, rather they are defined by their actions!

 

-Author (David Morse)  

 Host of American Heroes Outdoors TV

 

Do you know a HERO? Someone who has done something extraordinary? If so, send your submission to dave@americanheroesoutdoors.com for a chance to be published in Dakota Country Magazine and win “American Heroes Outdoors” Gear!