Army Spec. Zachary Boyd, a 2007 graduate of Keller Central High School, was in his sleeping quarters this week when the Taliban attacked in the rugged mountains of eastern Afghanistan. Boyd rushed to a defensive position clad in his helmet, vest and boxers — the pink ones decorated with the “I Love NY” slogan.
Fort Worth soldier’s, um, boxers make him famous
Stay safe, you’re the best!
“He feels like he should be doing his part to defend our nation,” she said. “He is a very patriotic and very determined young man who is very sure that we need to do this, not just for us, but the Afghani people as well.”
And yes, he did warn his parents about the picture.
UPDATE: Pink Boxers vs The Taliban
“Any soldier who goes into battle against the Taliban in pink boxers and flip-flops has a special kind of courage,” Gates said, adding that Boyd may have hit on a new kind of psychological warfare. “I can only wonder about the impact on the Taliban. Just imagine seeing that — a guy in pink boxers and flip-flops has you in his crosshairs.
May 15, 2009 at 3:58 am
I went to high school with Zach and we were in the JROTC program together. This doesn’t surprise me in the least bit. He always did what had to be done to do his job!
May 15, 2009 at 4:06 am
When I read about him, I thought he must be a wonderful person. You must be very proud to be his friend, I know I would be.
May 17, 2009 at 8:48 pm
No doubt. Zach is a very confident guy and his clothing style should in NO WAY be interpreted as gay. He in no way agrees with that lifestyle choice and his buddies wouldn’t have allowed someone like that in the battle. It’s sad that people always jump to the worst, most despicable slurs like calling one of our courageous soldiers a homosexual – BARF!!
May 17, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Dave, I feel that labeling someone for doing their job is wrong. I disagree with you about homosexuality. This should never have taken on any overtones except one of which is doing your job at any cost. Zach seems to be a wonderful person by all accounts. Let’s hope and pray that he stays safe and returns home soon.
May 22, 2009 at 10:49 pm
So he gets called gay for wearing pink boxers and apparently being gay in the military is a fate worse than death according to some prudes here. You just can’t win.
May 23, 2009 at 12:28 am
The “gay” label is silly. Ryan, you have it backwards. We applaud him for doing his duty. He can be butt naked for all I care. Robert Gates paid him an enormous tribute today. Many silly blogs want to equate pink with gay or whatever. We salute him here.
Whatever you are is not important when you are doing your job. We know he is not gay and it does NOT matter one bit.
I do hope he scares the crap out of the Taliban.
Anyone who would jump to do their duty under any circumstances should worry the enemy. I would have had a problem if he had not done his job because he was in flip flops and pink boxers.
May 23, 2009 at 12:58 am
Erm, perhaps you misunderstand me. If he was gay I wouldn’t give a damn — I’m gay. I’m just disappointed when people see an article of clothing and cast a label.
And I was equally disappointed to see one reader spout that being gay in the military is apparently horrible.
That’s all, really. No disrespect intended.
May 23, 2009 at 1:08 am
Ryan, thank you for your kind words in helping me understand your comment/thoughts. We all have our own thoughts and I agree with you 100% about casting labels. I don’t always agree with comments, but I do know that everyone who comments (because I approve the comments) respects Zacahary for doing his job. Some of his friends were very hurt by the rush to label him as anything but a soldier. It was moment that I hope everyone perceives as a young person willing to lose his life so that we may keep our freedoms. Please feel free to come back and comment on anything that you feel or believe is unfair You are always welcome.
May 23, 2009 at 2:23 am
Thank you kindly.
May 15, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Looks like he’s got some flip flops on too. Much better relating of the story here mcnorman, they were trying to play a gay angle elsewhere.
Keep up the good work.
May 15, 2009 at 7:53 pm
A gay angle? That is so wrong DE.
May 15, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Thanks DE.
May 15, 2009 at 8:53 pm
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