Ed Helms

And let's just say this story is going to give you a lot to work with.

So we begin in 1942 when the British Army pitched General Eisenhower on a bold idea, a joint American-Canadian commando unit trained in the specialized skills needed to fight in extreme cold.

Why?

Because they wanted to hit some strategic targets in Nazi-occupied Norway.

And as we all know, Norway is quite chilly.

I just want to point out how nice it is to sort of remember America and Canada teaming up together and being just sort of like rowdy neighbors getting in trouble.

Yeah.

And by the way, it's worth pointing out that Canada does not get enough credit for its role in World War II.

They were a powerhouse, like cranking out weapons and gear and supplies and munitions for the Allied forces.

So way to go, Canada.

We love you up there.

So Eisenhower was very into this idea, and he tapped Lieutenant Colonel Robert T. Frederick to train and lead what became –

named the First Special Service Force.

Frederick handpicked lumberjacks, miners, hunters, anyone who could survive the rigorous training in a Montana winter and still smile about it.

They trained in freezing temperatures, climbed cliffs at night, and learned to ski with 50-pound packs.

These guys were basically human Sasquatches trained in warfighting.

You're a Montana gal, right?

You spend a lot of time there.

And my family spends a ton of time in Idaho, where we have a lot of family.

So we know these Rocky Mountain badass types.