The Hero: Overview

March 2002, Shahekot Valley, Afghanistan - the end of Operation Anaconda:

Three American soldiers are separated from their company. As the clock ticks - six hours to descend a rugged moutain to the pick up zone - they are bombarded by mortar shells. Most of their equipment is destroyed.

Hackett, the peacekeeper between Preach and Slick, is killed. Wounded and bleeding, Slick is unable to walk. Preach, the only soldier to survive relatively unscathed, struggles to carry Slick down the mountain to safety. As their journey progresses, Preach discovers a despicable act Slick committed and animosity rages between them. Resentful of Preach's sanctimonious attitude, Slick challenges Preach to leave him behind. Preach, in good conscience, cannot. As he caries Slick to safety, Preach's one thought is to prove himself a hero to the foster father who raised him. Although both soldiers arrive at the base of the mountain moments before the chopper arrives, one dies, leaving the other to deal with the outcome of their confessions on the mountainside.