Home / News / Tom Wilson salutes Medal of Honor recipient Florent Groberg on anniversary of soldier’s ‘8 Seconds of Courage’

Tom Wilson salutes Medal of Honor recipient Florent Groberg on anniversary of soldier’s ‘8 Seconds of Courage’

By Elizabeth Kong

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August 9, 2019 3:42 pm

On Thursday, Tom Wilson posted a photo alongside Florent Groberg, a retired Army Captain and a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

A French immigrant to the US, Groberg lived in Potomac, Md. and attended the University of Maryland before enlisting in the US Army in 2008.

In August 2012, during his second deployment to Afghanistan, Groberg reacted quickly to tackle a man wearing a suicide vest while Groberg was guarding a high-level US-Afgan delegation. Four people died in the explosion. Groberg was grievously injured, but he saved countless others due to his bravery. Groberg later wrote a book about his experience, “8 Seconds of Courage”.

Wilson wrote a message of support for his friend on the anniversary of the heroic act of valor.

“Thinking of my good buddy @florent.groberg today. 8-8-12 will always be a challenging day, but the courage, character and leadership you portray is inspiring. Lucky to call you a friend, see ya soon 👊” Wilson wrote on Instagram.

Groberg spent time with Wilson and several other Capitals at the charity event Chance For Life in early March. The event is a poker tournament which raises funds for pediatric cancer.

At Chance For Life, Wilson gave Groberg his Capitals jersey, which is camouflage-colored from the Capitals’ Salute to the Military jersey theme night. Along with his autograph, Wilson wrote, “To Flo, Proud to call you a friend! Thanks for inspiring me every day!”

Groberg also dropped the ceremonial first puck before the March 2, 2017, Capitals game against the New Jersey Devils for Military Night.

Headline photo: @florent.groberg

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