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THE PAST — It's well documented through many articles that bears terrify me.

Bears are systematically planning the ultimate destruction of mankind, and hastening to bring about the bearpocalypse. But once in a while there is a defector, a brave bear soul willing to fight on the side of the human race, and this video tells the story of the bravest bear to ever walk this earth.

This is Wojtek, the soldier bear. During World War II Polish soldiers found Wojtek as a lost cub after a hunter killed his mother. The unit adopted the small bear and raised him as one of their own. They gave him the name Wojtek, which means Happy Warrior. Wojtek ended up becoming just another soldier who loved to wrestle and hang out.

Eventually Wojtek's unit joined with British forces, and British High Command had a rule prohibiting pets from the camp. Wojtek's brothers weren't about to give him up, so they enlisted him as a member of the unit and gave him the rank of private. Wojtek eventually earned his keep during an intense battle when he carried heavy boxes of artillery back and forth to help his friends. Due to his bravery, Wojtek was promoted to Corporal.

The whole story seems made up and absurd, but it's all true: A monument for Wojtek now stands in Edinburgh, Scotland, commemorating the brave soldier who just happened to be a bear.

Watch the video and see real photos and videos of Wojtek, and try and pretend like a bear soldier from WWII didn't just bring a tear to your eye.

Thank you for your service, Wojtek, and for teaching me not all bears are bad. John has grown up around movies and annoys friends and family with his movie facts and knowledge. John also has a passion for sports and pretty much anything awesome and it just so happens that these are the three things he writes about.