Specialist Boxers in the pink

Although I am not familiar with his work, I understand that Captain Underpants is a comic book and cartoon super-hero character for kids. Move over Captain Underpants.

For adults, and just in time for the Memorial Day weekend, we have a new super hero: Specialist Boxers.

Army Specialist Zachary Boyd was pictured on the front page of the New York Times on May 12 while fighting for his country at an outpost in Kumar Province, Afghanistan. This is good. Only problem was that he was wearing pink boxers and flip flops at the time.

The Taliban had made an unscheduled call - they are most inconsiderate about dropping in like that - and Specialist Boyd tumbled out of bed to take his place at the parapet with his more conventionally attired brothers in arms. An Associated Press photographer was on hand to capture this wonderful scene.

No doubt Specialist Boyd's parents were very proud to see a picture of their son at the front but he reportedly told them he was worried that he might get into trouble. That probably wasn't a trivial concern - the military can be stuffy about things like pink underwear, at least they were in my day.

Not to worry. Defense Secretary Robert Gates made it clear to an audience in New York Thursday night that Specialist Boyd's job is safe.

"Any soldier who goes into battle against the Taliban in pink boxers and flip-flops has a special kind of courage," Mr. Gates said.

And, according to the AP, he suggested that Specialist 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."

Specialist Boxers, I salute you. You are not only making the world safe for democracy but striking a blow for the wearers of pink underwear everywhere.