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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Col Kern W Dunagan ~ 09 November 2015
Serving The Best Troops & Veterans In The World !!
| StarCMC & The Canteen Crew
Posted on 11/08/2015 5:00:04 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska
Our Troops Rock! Thank you for all you do! |
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For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces. |
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~ Hall of Heroes ~ COL Kern W. Dunagan Info from here. |
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Kern W. Dunagan (February 20, 1934 - December 27, 1991) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War. Dunagan joined the Army from Los Angeles, California, and by May 13, 1969 was serving as a captain in Company A, 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry Regiment, Americal Division. During a firefight on that day, in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, Dunagan showed conspicuous leadership as he organized his men and rescued wounded soldiers despite his own wounds. He was subsequently promoted to major and awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. Dunagan reached the rank of colonel before leaving the Army. He died at age 57 and was buried in San Francisco National Cemetery, San Francisco, California. |
Major Dunagan's official Medal of Honor citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Maj. (then Capt.) Dunagan distinguished himself during the period May 13 and 14, 1969, while serving as commanding officer, Company A. On May 13, 1969, Maj. Dunagan was leading an attack to relieve pressure on the battalion's forward support base when his company came under intense fire from a well-entrenched enemy battalion. Despite continuous hostile fire from a numerically superior force, Maj. Dunagan repeatedly and fearlessly exposed himself in order to locate enemy positions, direct friendly supporting artillery, and position the men of his company. In the early evening, while directing an element of his unit into perimeter guard, he was seriously wounded during an enemy mortar attack, but he refused to leave the battlefield and continued to supervise the evacuation of dead and wounded and to lead his command in the difficult task of disengaging from an aggressive enemy. In spite of painful wounds and extreme fatigue, Maj. Dunagan risked heavy fire on 2 occasions to rescue critically wounded men. He was again seriously wounded. Undaunted, he continued to display outstanding courage, professional competence, and leadership and successfully extricated his command from its untenable position on the evening of May 14. Having maneuvered his command into contact with an adjacent friendly unit, he learned that a 6-man party from his company was under fire and had not reached the new perimeter. Maj. Dunagan unhesitatingly went back and searched for his men. Finding 1 soldier critically wounded, Maj. Dunagan, ignoring his wounds, lifted the man to his shoulders and carried him to the comparative safety of the friendly perimeter. Before permitting himself to be evacuated, he insured all of his wounded received emergency treatment and were removed from the area. Throughout the engagement, Maj. Dunagan's actions gave great inspiration to his men and were directly responsible for saving the lives of many of his fellow soldiers. Maj. Dunagan's extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army. |
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; heroes; military; troopsupport
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list
Charity Island
November 9, 2015
The
Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.
Nahum 1:7
Charity Island is the largest island in Saginaw Bay in the Michigan waters of Lake Huron. For many years the island has provided a lighthouse for navigational aid and a safe harbor for those sailing these waters. The island received its name because sailors believed it was there âthrough the charity of God.â
Sometimes in life we have to navigate through seas of troubling circumstances. Like those sailors we need guidance and a place of safety; we might wish for our own Charity Island. The psalmist understood that God is the one who can bring tranquility to troubled waters and guide us to safe harbors. He wrote, âHe stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired havenâ (Ps. 107:29-30).
While no one asks for the storms of life, they can multiply our appreciation for the guidance and refuge God provides. He offers the light of His Spirit and His Word to guide us. It is the safe harbor of His love that we long for. He alone can be our ultimate âCharity Island.â
Father, help me to seek Your light to guide me through the storms of life.
The living God will always be our shelter.
Todayâs psalm reminds us that God can indeed guide us to safe havens in the midst of lifeâs storms and trials. However, this psalm also reminds us that the same God who calms the storm and points the way to our âdesired havenâ (v. 30) is the God who sometimes stirs up the oceans in our lives. It is God who âstirred up a tempestâ (v. 25) that caused the sailors to melt with fear and reel and stagger (vv. 26,27). Then âthey cried out to the Lord . . . and he brought them out of their distressâ (v. 28). The God who stirs the seas wants us to turn to Him for help. J.R. Hudberg
2
posted on
11/08/2015 5:00:17 PM PST
by
The Mayor
(Honesty means never having to look over your shoulder.)
To: Kathy in Alaska
3
posted on
11/08/2015 5:02:22 PM PST
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN - 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in batle!)
To: Kathy in Alaska
4
posted on
11/08/2015 5:07:46 PM PST
by
Publius
("Who is John Galt?" by Billthedrill and Publius now available at Amazon.)
To: The Mayor; ConorMacNessa; SandRat; mountainlion; HiJinx; Publius; Jet Jaguar; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...
5
posted on
11/08/2015 5:12:36 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: MoJo2001; 007; 1 FELLOW FREEPER; 11B3; 1FreeAmerican; 1stbn27; 2111USMC; 2LT Radix jr; 300winmag; ..
Please note: The author of the Hall of Heroes is StarCMC.
Sending out prayers for Arrowhead1952 as he recovers from his horrible fall.
~ Hall of Heroes: Col Kern W Dunagan~
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To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
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Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.
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6
posted on
11/08/2015 5:17:41 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
~ ~ Good Evening! ~
~ Welcome To My World ~
~ ~
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7
posted on
11/08/2015 5:19:50 PM PST
by
SkyDancer
("Nobody Said I Was Perfect But Yet Here I Am")
To: Publius
So sad...at least she got to spend a few days with her Mom. Now Mom is at peace and in no more pain.
M-L is going to have a rough time now getting everything settled and her own live back together.
Prayers of peace for her as she moved forward.
8
posted on
11/08/2015 5:32:19 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: ConorMacNessa
Permission Granted!
9
posted on
11/08/2015 5:33:04 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
She pulled up her roots in Florida to move to Boston to take care of her mother, and then her mom dies. Having been through this process twice, I know she has a tough row to hoe. It's a lot of work.
By next spring, she'll have to figure out her next step. I'm sure our little community will be able to come up with some suggestions. (Texas, maybe?)
10
posted on
11/08/2015 5:36:51 PM PST
by
Publius
("Who is John Galt?" by Billthedrill and Publius now available at Amazon.)
To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC
Good evening, Kathy and Star!
***HUGS***
Thanks very much ~ coming aboard! Rendering Hand Salutes to our National Colors and to the Officer of the Deck!
And thanks very much to you and Star for tonight's Hall of Heroes thread! Col. Kern W. Dunagan, USA (MOH) is most worthy of entry into our Hall of Heroes!
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11
posted on
11/08/2015 5:52:27 PM PST
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN - 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in batle!)
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 gold 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 otherâs 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 â 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 gold 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."
Many Thanks To Alfa6 For Finding Capt. Lefon's Chronicle Of "The Empty Chair."
"Traumerei" Robert Schumann (Click)
Never Forget The Brave Men And Women Who Gave Their Lives To Secure Our Freedom!!
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12
posted on
11/08/2015 5:57:11 PM PST
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN - 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in batle!)
To: ConorMacNessa; LUV W; Kathy in Alaska; beachn4fun; AZamericonnie; E.G.C.
13
posted on
11/08/2015 5:58:40 PM PST
by
SandRat
(Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
To: The Mayor
Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.
And now to take on the new week...have a good one.
14
posted on
11/08/2015 6:22:11 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Publius
Texas is possible, but I wonder about her “need” to get back to her students in Florida.
I know she has NO fondness for cold and snow and liberal-land.
15
posted on
11/08/2015 6:30:33 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: ConorMacNessa
Good evening, Mac...*HUGS*...did you sing in the choir today?
Ready to sally forth in the morning?
16
posted on
11/08/2015 6:33:30 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
Having come from the Philadelphia area, I understand her need to return to the Sun Belt. I also understand that the Boston area is ideologically -- (AHEM!) -- weird. It's like a separate country, perhaps a disconnected part of Canada. She'll have to start from scratch after she settles the estate.
17
posted on
11/08/2015 6:33:57 PM PST
by
Publius
("Who is John Galt?" by Billthedrill and Publius now available at Amazon.)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Evening ladies and thanks for introducing us to this great hero!
Son surprised me by dropping over earlier so we've been hanging out.
18
posted on
11/08/2015 6:47:34 PM PST
by
PROCON
(Proud CRUZader!)
To: Kathy in Alaska; LUV W; HiJinx
19
posted on
11/08/2015 6:51:18 PM PST
by
SandRat
(Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Thanks, you too.
Lots to get accomplished and a speaking engagement Tuesday night to a gun club.
20
posted on
11/08/2015 7:13:26 PM PST
by
The Mayor
(Honesty means never having to look over your shoulder.)
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