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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Jon R. Cavaiani ~ August 27, 2012
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !!
| StarCMC
Posted on 08/26/2012 5:01:06 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska
For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces. Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today! |
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~ Hall of Heroes ~ Jon R. Cavaiani Info from here. |
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Jon Robert Cavaiani (born August 2, 1943) is a retired United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration葉he Medal of Honor庸or his actions in the Vietnam War. Born in Ireland, Cavaiani emigrated to the United States with his parents in 1947 at age four. Though initially classified 4F, due in part to a severe allergy to bee stings, Cavaiani joined the Army from Fresno, California, shortly before becoming a naturalized citizen in 1968. He was sent to Vietnam in 1970 with the Special Forces and by June 4, 1971 was serving as a Staff Sergeant in the Vietnam Training Advisory Group. On that day, in the Republic of Vietnam, his platoon came under intense enemy attack. Cavaiani organized the unit's defense and, when evacuation by helicopter became necessary, he voluntarily stayed on the ground and directed the aircraft, which successfully evacuated most of the platoon. Cavaiani and a small group were left behind. During a major enemy attack the next morning, he ordered the remaining men to escape while he stayed and provided suppressive fire to cover their retreat. He was captured and spent the next two years as a prisoner of war. Jon R. Cavaiani was released by the Provisional Government of Vietnam on April 27, 1973. |
Staff Sergeant Cavaiani's official Medal of Honor citation reads: S/Sgt. Cavaiani distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 and 5 June 1971 while serving as a platoon leader to a security platoon providing security for an isolated radio relay site located within enemy-held territory. On the morning of 4 June 1971, the entire camp came under an intense barrage of enemy small arms, automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenade and mortar fire from a superior size enemy force. S/Sgt. Cavaiani acted with complete disregard for his personal safety as he repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire in order to move about the camp's perimeter directing the platoon's fire and rallying the platoon in a desperate fight for survival. S/Sgt. Cavaiani also returned heavy suppressive fire upon the assaulting enemy force during this period with a variety of weapons. When the entire platoon was to be evacuated, S/Sgt. Cavaiani unhesitatingly volunteered to remain on the ground and direct the helicopters into the landing zone. S/Sgt. Cavaiani was able to direct the first 3 helicopters in evacuating a major portion of the platoon. Due to intense increase in enemy fire, S/Sgt. Cavaiani was forced to remain at the camp overnight where he calmly directed the remaining platoon members in strengthening their defenses. On the morning of 5 June, a heavy ground fog restricted visibility. The superior size enemy force launched a major ground attack in an attempt to completely annihilate the remaining small force. The enemy force advanced in 2 ranks, first firing a heavy volume of small arms automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire while the second rank continuously threw a steady barrage of hand grenades at the beleaguered force. S/Sgt. Cavaiani returned a heavy barrage of small arms and hand grenade fire on the assaulting enemy force but was unable to slow them down. He ordered the remaining platoon members to attempt to escape while he provided them with cover fire. With 1 last courageous exertion, S/Sgt. Cavaiani recovered a machine gun, stood up, completely exposing himself to the heavy enemy fire directed at him, and began firing the machine gun in a sweeping motion along the 2 ranks of advancing enemy soldiers. Through S/Sgt. Cavaiani's valiant efforts with complete disregard for his safety, the majority of the remaining platoon members were able to escape. While inflicting severe losses on the advancing enemy force, S/Sgt. Cavaiani was wounded numerous times. S/Sgt. Cavaiani's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army. President Gerald Ford presented Cavaiani with the medal during a ceremony on December 12, 1974. Cavaiani later reached the rank of sergeant major before retiring from the Army in 1996. |
Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families. This is a politics-free zone! Thanks for helping us in our mission! |
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; hallofheroes; military; troopsupport
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners.* * * * * * * * * * * *
Our Flag Flying Proudly One Nation Under God
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Lord, Please Bless Our Troops, They're fighting for our Freedom.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
God Bless Our Republic
Prayers going up
2
posted on
08/26/2012 5:01:47 PM PDT
by
HopeandGlory
(Hey, Liberals . . . PC died on 9/11 . . . GET USED TO IT!!!)
To: All
3
posted on
08/26/2012 5:06:27 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
To: HopeandGlory
Thanks, Nana Hope, for today's Pledge
((HUGS)). Thanks, AfghanMan and Penguin Girl, for your service to America.
Grapes still doing their thing?
4
posted on
08/26/2012 5:08:10 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
To: Kathy in Alaska
5
posted on
08/26/2012 5:14:02 PM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Good evening, Kathy! Good evening, all!
6
posted on
08/26/2012 5:14:56 PM PDT
by
Tanniker Smith
(Rome didn't fall in a day, either.)
To: StarCMC; MoJo2001; 007; 1 FELLOW FREEPER; 11B3; 1FreeAmerican; 1stbn27; 2111USMC; 2LT Radix jr; ...
Please note: The author of the Hall of Heroes is StarCMC. Please thank StarCMC for todays thread.
~ Hall of Heroes: Jon R Cavaiani ~
FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT
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and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.
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To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.
To our military readers, we remain steadfast
in keeping the Canteen doors open. The FR Canteen is Free Republic's longest running daily thread
specifically designed to provide entertainment and moral support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.
We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.
NOTE: CANTEEN MUSIC
Posted daily and on the Music Thread
for the enjoyment of our troops and visitors.
7
posted on
08/26/2012 5:14:56 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
To: Kathy in Alaska
A truly amazing individual.
8
posted on
08/26/2012 5:19:30 PM PDT
by
Stonewall Jackson
("I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.")
To: Kathy in Alaska
Aloha Night Owl!
9
posted on
08/26/2012 5:20:37 PM PDT
by
BIGLOOK
(72 days)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)
10
posted on
08/26/2012 5:34:57 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
To: Tanniker Smith
Good evening, TS...have you enjoyed your summer.
School gearing up? They started here last Wednesday.
11
posted on
08/26/2012 5:36:45 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
To: ConorMacNessa
Permission Granted!
12
posted on
08/26/2012 5:38:07 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
To: SandRat
Good evening, Sand...((HUGS))...how has the paint hunt been going? Settled? Job done? Pending?
Hope you had some relax time over the weekend.
13
posted on
08/26/2012 5:42:27 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC
Thanks, Galz, for yet another wonderful war story of an American hero and Medal of Honor recipient! He looks like such a happy person!
14
posted on
08/26/2012 5:43:50 PM PDT
by
luvie
(My heroes wear camos)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Hi Everybody!
(((HUGS)))
(Sitting Out Hurricane Isaac!)
15
posted on
08/26/2012 5:46:38 PM PDT
by
left that other site
(Worry is the Darkroom that Develops Negatives.)
To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC
Thanks very much, Kathy! Thanks very much to you and Star for tonight's Hall of Heroes thread!
*HUGS*
SGTMAJ Cavaiani is truly a Lion in Battle - a most worthy member of our Pantheon! I'm proud to note that he's a fellow Vietnam Vet and former POW. From the MOH Citation it is apparent that he's the kind of soldier who, perceiving danger, runs toward it. God Bless him!
Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)
16
posted on
08/26/2012 5:50:40 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Hi Hi Hi Hi!
::: waves at everyone :::
17
posted on
08/26/2012 5:50:43 PM PDT
by
PERKY2004
(Proud wife of a military pilot ~ Please pray for him!)
To: txradioguy; SoldierDad; mike1sg; Milo828; mystery-ak; CMS; The Sailor; Jet Jaguar; Defender2; ...
Honoring Our Heroes 2LT Rebecca USA (Daughter of U S Army EOD) 3 sons (armymarinemom and amdad) 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron "Combat Hammer" (saminfl) AbnSarge USA Adam USAF (Grumpybutt) Allegra Anoreth USCG (daughter of Tax-chick) aviator USAF BIGLOOK USN Brett USN (CindyDawg) Brother and Son-in-Law (kalee) Cannoneer No. 4 CAPT Bryan USA (Diver Dave) CAPT Future Snake Eater USA (RightOnline) CAPT Jason Clendenin (friend of Frou) Chris USA (amom) Chuck USA (RightOnline) CMS USA COL Mike (gpapa) ConorMacNessa FMF Corpsman CPT Carol USA, Nurse Corp (Vineyard) David USAF (LUV W) Defender2 Deven USA (Shimmer) Diver Dave USN Drumbo USN Ethan USMC (georgiabelle) forgotenknight13 USA (grandson of Monkey Face) Fred (DocRock) GulfWar1Vet USA HiJinx USA IS2 Brianne USN (My Hearts in London - Everett) IS2 Heather USN (My Hearts in London - Everett) Jade Falcon USN James USA (Grumpybutt) JemiansTerror USA (Jemian) Jet Jaguar USAF Joel (NEMDF) Jonathan USMC (AZbushgal) Josh USN (doug from upland) Karen USA (fatima's granddaughter) Kenneth (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim) Kevin USMC (skimask) Kevin and David USA (vigilante2) KJD USAF (SuzyQue) Laurita USA LCpl Carter USMC LCpl Joe USMC (DontMessWithTexas) Lindsay (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim) LT David (Coldwater Creek) LT Gerald USN (Vineyard) M1911A1 USMC (M0sby) M1Tanker Major Jennifer USA (Diver Dave) Major joma89 USAF MEG33's Navy Grandson Michael USAR (RightOnline) Mike1Sg USA (mystery-ak) Milo828 USA (mystery-ak) MSgt Eddie USAF (Son of ThomasPaine2000, CMSgt USAF, Ret) MSGT Glen Ignasiak USAF (nephew of AirForceMom) Nate USN (sneakers) Navy Chaplain, Lt Nathan Rice (Coldwater Creek) Old Sarge USA OneLoyalAmerican USCG PFC Jake USMC (son of Enough_Deceit) Philetus USA PROCON USA Rick USAF (Doogle) Robert, Jeremy, Daynnis USA (SoldierDad) SandRat USA Sat-Com Chris USA (son of KC Burke) SGT Alex USA (son of Enough_Deceit) SGT Chris USA (son of Vineyard) SGT Ev USA (Mozie) SGT Gray USA (colorcountrys son) SGT Matt USMC (SuzyQue) SGT Robert USMC (MarineMom613) SGT Sean Reed (preed) Son USCG (GodBlessUSA) SPC Drew USA (brother-in-law Stonewall Jackson) SPC Mike USA (AbnSarge) SPC Ted USA (nephew of hoagy62) SPC William Akin USA (Step-son of BlueLancer) SPC4 Dan USA (son of swmobuffalo) SSG Brian USA (repubmom) SSG Dustin USA (SIL of U S Army EOD) SSG Dusty USA (MountainDad) SSG Mitchel USA (tina07) SSG Spencer USA (grame) SSGT Adam USA (Diver Dave) SSGT Don May Jr USMC (debm29palms) SSGT John Linde USA (JFoxbear) SSGT The Black Knight USAF Stevan USA (Grumpybutt) Terrence USN (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim) The Sailor TMSuchman USMC tongue-tied USN/USA Tonkin USN/USCG TSGT Jason M Kibler USAF (son of AirForceMom) SFC txradioguy USA USAFSecurityForces (son of visualops & TheStickman) Valerie USAF (Shimmer) Victor and Tony D USMC (weldgophardline) Vineyard USN William USA (jackv) WOs Bob and Michelle USA (nephew, and his wife, of BnBlFlag)
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18
posted on
08/26/2012 5:51:53 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
To: Kathy in Alaska
Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list
The New Normal
August 27, 2012
A pastor, who was trained in trauma and grief counseling, commented that the greatest challenge for people who are hurting is often not the immediate heartache of the loss. Instead, the biggest problem is adjusting to the different kind of life that follows. What once was normal may never be normal again. So the challenge for those offering help is to assist the sufferers as they establish the new normal. It may be a new normal that no longer includes robust health, a treasured relationship, or a satisfying job. Or it may be living without a loved one who has been taken in death. The gravity of such losses forces us to live a different kind of lifeno matter how unwelcome it may be.
When our new normal comes, its easy to think no one understands how we feel. But that isnt true. Part of the reason Jesus came was to experience life among us, resulting in His present ministry: For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15).
Our Savior lived a perfect life, yet He also knew the pains of a broken world. He endured sorrow; He suffered agony. And He stands ready to encourage us when the dark moments of life force us to embrace a new normal.
Father, thank You that in the darkest seasons of life, You
will never abandon us. Guide us with Your never-failing
presence through both the welcome and unwelcome changes
of life. In Jesus name, amen.
In our desert of grief, Jesus can provide an oasis of hope.
Read: Hebrews 4:9-16
19
posted on
08/26/2012 6:02:29 PM PDT
by
The Mayor
("If you can't make them see the light, let them feel the heat" — Ronald Reagan)
To: Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; BIGLOOK; alfa6; EsmeraldaA; SandRat; mylife; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...
Welcome To All Who Enter This Canteen, To Our Serving Military, To Our Veterans, To All Military Families, To Our FRiends and To Our Allies!
Missing Man Setting
The Empty Chair
By Captain Carroll Lex Lefon, USN (ret), on December 21st, 2004
In the wardroom onboard the aircraft carrier from which I recently debarked was a small, round table, with single chair. No one ever sat there, and the reasons, both for the table being there, and for the fact that the chair was always empty, will tell the reader a little bit about who we are as a culture.The wardroom, of course, is where the officers will dine; morning, noon and evening. It is not only a place to eat it is also a kind of oasis from the sometimes dreary, often difficult exigencies of the service. A place of social discourse, of momentary relief from the burdens of the day. The only things explicitly forbidden by inviolable tradition in the wardroom are the wearing of a cover or sword by an officer not actually on watch, or conversation which touches upon politics or religion. But aboard ships which observe the custom, another implicit taboo concerns the empty chair: No matter how crowded the room, no matter who is waiting to be seated, that chair is never moved, never taken.
The table is by the main entrance to the wardroom. You will see it when you enter, and you will see it when you leave. It draws your eyes because it is meant to. And because it draws your eyes it draws your thoughts. And though it will be there every day for as long as you are at sea, you will look at it every time and your eyes will momentarily grow distant as you think for a moment. As you quietly give thanks.
AS YOU REMEMBER.
The small, round table is covered with a white linen tablecloth. A single place setting rests there, of fine bone china. A wineglass stands upon the table, inverted, empty. On the dinner plate is a pinch of salt. On the bread plate is a slice of lemon. Besides the plate lies a bible. There is a small vase with a single red rose upon the table. Around the vase is wound a yellow ribbon. There is the empty chair.
We will remember because over the course of our careers, we will have had the opportunity to enjoy many a formal evening of dinner and dancing in the fine company of those with whom we have the honor to serve, and their lovely ladies. And as the night wears on, our faces will in time become flushed with pleasure of each others company, with the exertions on the dance floor, with the effects of our libations. But while the feast is still at its best, order will be called to the room we will be asked to raise our glasses to the empty table, and we will be asked to remember:
The table is round to show our everlasting concern for those who are missing. The single setting reminds us that every one of them went to their fates alone, that every life was unique.
The tablecloth is white symbolizing the purity of their motives when they answered the call to duty.
The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and their loved ones who kept the faith.
The yellow ribbon around the vase symbolizes our continued determination to remember them.
The slice of lemon reminds us of the bitterness of their fate. The salt symbolizes the tears shed by those who loved them. The bible represents the faith that sustained them. The glass is inverted they cannot share in the toast. The chair is empty they are not here. They are missing.
And we will remember, and we will raise our glasses to those who went before us, and who gave all that they had for us. And a part of the flush in our faces will pale as we remember that nothing worth having ever came without a cost. We will remember that many of our brothers and sisters have paid that cost in blood. We will remember that the reckoning is not over.
We many of us will settle with our families into our holiday season, our Christmas season for those who celebrate it, content in our fortune and prosperity. We will meet old friends with smiles and laughter. We will meet our members of our family with hugs. We will eat well, and exchange gifts and raise our glasses to the year passed in gratitude, and to the year to come with hope. We will sleep the sleep of the protected, secure in our homes, secure in our homeland.
But for many families, there will be an empty chair at the table this year. A place that is not filled.
WE SHOULD REMEMBER.
Thanks To Alfa6 For Finding The Narrative Of The Empty Chair.
Robert Schumann Traumerei (Click)
Never Forget The Brave Men And Women Who Gave Their Lives To Secure Our Freedom!!
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Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)
20
posted on
08/26/2012 6:06:10 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
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