On this day I would like to remember the sacrafice made by our forfathers and our troops. This is a day to honor their memory and all that they stood for. Thank you for protecting us and doing your duty, even though it cost you the ultimate sacrafice. For those who still serve, thank you. We will never know the pain or the loss that you have had to go through for our freedom. Thank you does not even seem enough to show the grattitude of a thankful nation. We will always be in your debt. You guys are amazing!
Thank You!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Americas Heroes
As I browsed through the Depart of Defense's website, I found a tribute to the Medal of Honor recipients. There was one story on there that I found disturbing and quite honestly sad. I'll post it right here.
Who Are America's Heroes?
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press ServiceWASHINGTON, March 13, 2009—
The challenge issued by a flight attendant during a recent commercial air flight seemed innocuous enough: Name just one of the five Medal of Honor recipients from the current engagements in Afghanistan or Iraq, and get a free drink coupon.
But the passengers’ response – more specifically, the inability of all but just one to respond – revealed how little the average American knows about its military heroes.
Bombarded by superhero lore almost from birth, many Americans grow to revere fictional heroes as well as sports and celebrity icons. But silence descended over the cabin of a flight bound from Jacksonville, Fla., to Baltimore when the conversation turned to those who had earned the nation’s highest honor for valor – even when a free cocktail hung in the balance.
Dale Shelton, an Annapolis, Md., resident who served five years as a Navy intelligence specialist, was the only passenger to press the button over his seat to beckon the attendant. Shelton’s response: Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith, the first Medal of Honor recipient in the global war on terror, and in Operation Iraqi Freedom.Smith received the highest military honor for valor posthumously on April 3, 2005, two years to the day after saving more than 100 soldiers in the battle for Baghdad’s airport. His young son and widow accepted the award on his behalf during a solemn White House ceremony. The flight attendant gave free drink coupons to Shelton, as well as his wife Jean and two other traveling companions. Then he returned to the crew area to announce over the intercom that only one person had correctly answered the challenge. This time, the attendant offered a second challenge: name an American Idol winner. The cabin lit up like a pinball machine as 43 passengers scrambled to push their attendant call button. Passengers named various Idol winners.
The attendant announced that he wasn’t going to award drink coupons for that answer, telling the passengers that "naming an Idol winner was not worth a free drink," Shelton recalled. "He concluded his announcement with the question: ‘What’s wrong with our country when out of 150 passengers, only one can name a Medal of Honor recipient, but 43 can name an American Idol winner?’"Later during the flight, Shelton shared with the attendant his own frustration over "the current lack of appreciation of our military heroes."
The attendant asked Shelton if he knew the names of the other four Medal of Honor receipts from the current military operations. Shelton said he was able to name three: Navy Lt. Michael Murphy, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor and Army Spc. Ross McGinnis. All were killed sacrificing themselves to protect their comrades during enemy attacks.
Murphy, a Navy SEAL, died June 28, 2005, trying to save his team members during Operation Red Wing in Afghanistan. Monsoor, also a SEAL, died in Iraq Sept. 23, 2006, using his body to absorb a grenade blast that likely would have killed two nearby SEALs and several Iraqi soldiers. McGinnis died Dec. 4, 2006, after throwing himself on a hand grenade in Iraq to save four fellow soldiers when insurgents attacked their Humvee.Shelton said he regretted that he had forgotten the name of Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham. Dunham died April 15, 2004, using his body to shield fellow Marines in Iraq from a hand grenade.The flight attendant didn’t hold Shelton’s memory lapse against him. "He gave me all the remaining drink coupons he had in his possession and shook my hand," he said.
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Medal of Honor Recipients since the beginning of the War on Terror.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith
Navy Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy
Marine Corporal Jason L. Dunham
Army Specialist Ross A. McGinnis
Naval Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor.
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God bless these men and women who give their lives for our freedom! Whether you agree with the war or not, please support our troops. They are just doing they're job. George Orwell once said, "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." This is very true! Children and spouses are losing loved ones every day, because these people have taken an oath to protect us from all enemies foreign and domestic.
Today, May 16, 2009, is Armed Forces Day in the United States. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all who serve in any branch of our military. Many times they go unnappreciated, and today (as every day should be) is a time to recognize the sacrafice that has been made on our behalf.
Thank You!
Who Are America's Heroes?
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press ServiceWASHINGTON, March 13, 2009—
The challenge issued by a flight attendant during a recent commercial air flight seemed innocuous enough: Name just one of the five Medal of Honor recipients from the current engagements in Afghanistan or Iraq, and get a free drink coupon.
But the passengers’ response – more specifically, the inability of all but just one to respond – revealed how little the average American knows about its military heroes.
Bombarded by superhero lore almost from birth, many Americans grow to revere fictional heroes as well as sports and celebrity icons. But silence descended over the cabin of a flight bound from Jacksonville, Fla., to Baltimore when the conversation turned to those who had earned the nation’s highest honor for valor – even when a free cocktail hung in the balance.
Dale Shelton, an Annapolis, Md., resident who served five years as a Navy intelligence specialist, was the only passenger to press the button over his seat to beckon the attendant. Shelton’s response: Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith, the first Medal of Honor recipient in the global war on terror, and in Operation Iraqi Freedom.Smith received the highest military honor for valor posthumously on April 3, 2005, two years to the day after saving more than 100 soldiers in the battle for Baghdad’s airport. His young son and widow accepted the award on his behalf during a solemn White House ceremony. The flight attendant gave free drink coupons to Shelton, as well as his wife Jean and two other traveling companions. Then he returned to the crew area to announce over the intercom that only one person had correctly answered the challenge. This time, the attendant offered a second challenge: name an American Idol winner. The cabin lit up like a pinball machine as 43 passengers scrambled to push their attendant call button. Passengers named various Idol winners.
The attendant announced that he wasn’t going to award drink coupons for that answer, telling the passengers that "naming an Idol winner was not worth a free drink," Shelton recalled. "He concluded his announcement with the question: ‘What’s wrong with our country when out of 150 passengers, only one can name a Medal of Honor recipient, but 43 can name an American Idol winner?’"Later during the flight, Shelton shared with the attendant his own frustration over "the current lack of appreciation of our military heroes."
The attendant asked Shelton if he knew the names of the other four Medal of Honor receipts from the current military operations. Shelton said he was able to name three: Navy Lt. Michael Murphy, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor and Army Spc. Ross McGinnis. All were killed sacrificing themselves to protect their comrades during enemy attacks.
Murphy, a Navy SEAL, died June 28, 2005, trying to save his team members during Operation Red Wing in Afghanistan. Monsoor, also a SEAL, died in Iraq Sept. 23, 2006, using his body to absorb a grenade blast that likely would have killed two nearby SEALs and several Iraqi soldiers. McGinnis died Dec. 4, 2006, after throwing himself on a hand grenade in Iraq to save four fellow soldiers when insurgents attacked their Humvee.Shelton said he regretted that he had forgotten the name of Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham. Dunham died April 15, 2004, using his body to shield fellow Marines in Iraq from a hand grenade.The flight attendant didn’t hold Shelton’s memory lapse against him. "He gave me all the remaining drink coupons he had in his possession and shook my hand," he said.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medal of Honor Recipients since the beginning of the War on Terror.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith
Navy Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy
Marine Corporal Jason L. Dunham
Army Specialist Ross A. McGinnis
Naval Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
God bless these men and women who give their lives for our freedom! Whether you agree with the war or not, please support our troops. They are just doing they're job. George Orwell once said, "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." This is very true! Children and spouses are losing loved ones every day, because these people have taken an oath to protect us from all enemies foreign and domestic.
Today, May 16, 2009, is Armed Forces Day in the United States. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all who serve in any branch of our military. Many times they go unnappreciated, and today (as every day should be) is a time to recognize the sacrafice that has been made on our behalf.
Thank You!
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