[GretchenM]

President Bush will award the Medal of Honor posthumously to Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith, 33, probably in March. He is the first person to receive the award since 1993. Sgt. Paul Smith, on April 4, 2003, climbed aboard an armored vehicle and manned a heavy machine gun to cover the withdrawal of his men from a suddenly vulnerable position. Smith was fatally wounded by Iraqi fire, the only American to die in the engagement. Smith could have justifiably ordered his men to withdraw. The Lt. Colonel who nominated Smith believes Sgt. Smith rejected that option, thinking that abandoning the courtyard would jeopardize about 100 GIs outside - including medics at an aid station. His widow, who reacted with excitement to the news of the medal, said, "It makes me feel proud, so honored that I was allowed to be part of Paul's life. Even today he's probably laughing at all of us, saying "You're making way too big a deal out of me.' He did what he had to do to protect his men, not to get a medal." The link, above, gives more details.

[GretchenM]

Dose going up.

Welcome to July4th64.

Please wait to post or repost photos till the all clear.

[conservativebabe]

RIP Sgt. Job well done.

[Unknown Freeper]

top ten

[altura]

doing Leiberman puppet dance!

[ride the whirlwind]

That is a touching story about Sgt. Paul Smith. Thanks for including it.

Prayers for the president as he prepares for his big speech tonight.

[Wolfstar]

Good day, Gretchen. Thanks for today's Dose. I'm SO looking forward to tonight's SOTU address. Like we all discussed yesterday, the political theater is going to be better than ever.

Thanks also for highlighting the fact that the President will soon be awarding the Medal of Honor posthumously to Sgt. Paul Smith. For those "Doser" who may be interested in more info, here's a link to the longer of two threads that went up today: freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1334411/posts

Here is link to the St. Petersburg Times' excellent interactive about Paul Smith entitled "The Last Full Measure of Devotion."

Ladies, Sgt. Smith was quite a handsome lad who left behind a loving wife and two children.

[kitkat]

Thanks, GEM. It's going to be an exciting evening with the State of the Union speech.

And: I am SO touched by Sgt. Paul Smith's wife's statement. She, too, is a hero.

[Kate of Spice Island]

Hi there!

I made the top something or other...

[W04Man]

Bump!

[Right_in_Virginia]

Amazing words from Sgt. Paul Smith's widow. Thanks for posting.

[mystery-ak]

Thanks for including SFC Paul Smith...Lest We Forget...

[luvie]

President Bush will award the Medal of Honor posthumously to Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith, 33

May he rest in peace!

[ohioWfan]

Thank you for the DOSE tonight, Gretchen!

What amazing men and women we have defending our freedom and safety abroad.

THANK you for letting us in on this very special soldier, and his very special honor.

I'm praying fervently for the President as he, himself, I'm sure is in prayer before his speech. May God be glorified by what he says tonight!

[ladyinred]

RIP Sgt. Smith, a real American hero. Thanks for the dose Gretchen!

[WaterDragon]

Thanks for today's dose, GretchenM.

You know, it occurs to me that one of the President's greatest strengths is that he never accepts the role of victim. No matter what is thrown at him, he continues on the path he sees before him, focused on that, seeing and hearing what is said and done, but never giving any of it importance, unless it gives useful information, etc, to help him toward his goals.

That is such a terrific lesson for us all, don't you think? Today, you almost get no respect unless you are pitiful for some reason or other. But that is not a position of strength and power, is it?

President Bush is not only our greatest President, along with Washington, Lincoln and Reagan....like them, he has no interest in the Left's strength-draining victim-worship.

[GretchenM]

[crushelits]

[jla]

His widow, who reacted with excitement to the news of the medal, said, "It makes me feel proud, so honored that I was allowed to be part of Paul's life. Even today he's probably laughing at all of us, saying "You're making way too big a deal out of me.' He did what he had to do to protect his men, not to get a medal."

You know, one can almost forget sometimes, upon listening to the misery, hate and dourness from the Left, that we are privileged to live in the greatest country in the history of mankind, and we live here among some very positive, kind, unselfish and affectionate people.