Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) drew on his experience as a Navy SEAL in a speech centered on American "heroes" at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night.

Why it matters: Crenshaw, one of the youngest Republicans in the House at 36, is seen as a rising star in GOP, but his race against Sima Ladjevardian in November is gaining nationwide attention as Democrats seek to flip the seat in increasingly-purple Texas. He did not mention President Trump once during his address.

What he's saying: "8 years ago, in the fields of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, a close friend and teammate laid down cover fire against Taliban insurgents so that I could walk – blind and bloodied – to the Medevac helicopter and survive. But he didn’t. Dave was killed two months later. He died a hero to this great country," said Crenshaw, who lost his right eye in combat in Afghanistan.

• "Here’s the truth about America: we are a country of heroes. I believe that, so should you," he added.
• "But America’s heroism is not relegated to the battlefield. Every single day we see them… if you just know where to look. It’s the nurse who volunteers for back to back shifts caring for COVID patients because she feels that’s her duty."
• "It's who we are – a nation of heroes, and we need you now more than ever. We need to remind ourselves what heroism really is."