Marine Corporal Receives Bronze Star Medal from Wolfowitz (heavy, moving graphic)

defenselink.mil ^ | June 1, 2004 | Cpl. Brian Buckwalter

[A.A. Cunningham]

I think we can excuse the Corporal for saluting uncovered indoors just this once.

Thu Jun 10, 3:32 PM ET

Cpl. James E. Wright salutes the casket of former President Ronald Reagan (news - web sites) in the Capitol Rotunda Thursday, June 10, 2004 in Washington, DC. Wright lost both hands during the war in Iraq (news - web sites). (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

[Texican]

Risk:
I was one of them also, maybe not so brave, surly not as hansome, and it was so long ago that memories seem to fade. I got out of the "Corps" in 1946. I just turned 80 last Saturday, and already see the memory starting to fade some. Some people say that my generation was the "Greatest Generation", my question is how in the world can they say that and look at pictures like this young corp. standing there saluting without hands. I say that these young people today in all branches of the service are just as good as were those of my time. God Bless everyone of them.

The very best to you and yours.

Semper Fi
Tommie

[Ramius]

I simply have no words to express my anguish for this young Marine, nor my pride for what, and who, he is.

Yes, I think I can excuse the uncovered salute.

I continue to stand in awe of the greatness of these young men that we ask so much of. I had my time in uniform, but at a different time, and never had the priviledge of firing a shot in anger.

I will never know if I am made of the stuff that this Marine is made of. I could only have hoped to display the courage that he has.

[Walkingfeather]

YOU ARE ONE OF THEM. AND GOD BLESS YOU

[Fiddlstix]

[Texasforever]

Words fail me.

[Chieftain]

my question is how in the world can they say that and look at pictures like this young corp. standing there saluting without hands. I say that these young people today in all branches of the service are just as good as were those of my time.

Cpl Wright and these young Marines now serving and bearing the burden and paying as heavy price of FREEDOM are real HEROES. They had a great example set for them by all the Marines who came before them, like YOU, who set the example!

Thanks for your service to our country and Corps, Texican!

Semper Fidelis from another Marine to you, Sir!

[risk]

I got out of the "Corps" in 1946. I just turned 80 last Saturday, and already see the memory starting to fade some.

We're all very gratefull for what you did in the Marines during WWII. We're also very happy to have you on FR! Here's a quote about Iwo Jima that you might appreciate:

"The raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years!" (James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy, 23 February 1945)

That goes for what all the Marines have done over the past century.

Click for more Suribachi pics

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the ping Risk.

Thank you for your service Texican.

[oh8eleven]

However, Fox News identified him as a soldier.
They're civilians - they know not what they do.
Semper Fi ...

[dd5339]

Ping! It was Cpl. Wright!

Semper Fi