Posted on 11/10/2006 2:53:13 PM PST by VaMarVet
President Bush marked Veteran's Day Friday by dedicating the new National Museum of the Marine Corps and by bestowing the country's highest military honor posthumously on a Marine from New York who saved the lives of two other Marines by throwing himself onto a live grenade.
"As long as we have Marines like Cpl. Dunham, America will never fear for her liberty," Bush said about Cpl. Jason L. Dunham, who died from wounds he received near Husaybah, Iraq, in April 2004 after engaging in hand-to-hand combat with an insurgent. "As long as we have this fine museum, America will never forget the sacrifice." Dunham, a high school athlete from Scio, N.Y., would have been 25 years old Friday, the 231st birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. Bush said Dunham was "born to be a Marine."
He said Dunham, 22 years old at the time, first threw his helmet onto the grenade then jumped on it himself "to protect his fellow Marines." He called Dunham "the toughest Marine, but the nicest guy."
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Michael Hagee presented Dunham with the Purple Heart at his bedside shortly before he died at Bethesda Naval Hospital with his parents at his side eight days after he was wounded in Iraq.
Today, Bush awarded Dunham the Medal of Honor at the museum ceremony. Wiping away a tear, he called the Marine's death "a loss that can never be replaced." Dunham's parents were at the ceremony...
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Thank GOD for men like these.
Excellent! Ping to this thread and also post #23!!
Awesome!!
Thanks for the ping, Star!
Our heroes all!
BTTT
There are so many achievements in this country that could be had. Developing a vaccine, being a successful businessman, graduating with the highest honors, etc.
Nothing, nothing even comes close to the Medal of Honor. Always brings a tear to my eye.
I agree.
RIP, Marine.
All gave some, some gave all.
Semper Fi,
Kelly
Sorry to reply so late. Here is the story about the door.
BTTT
I sent a couple of e-mails to my former coworkers and supervisors in Al Qa'im, Iraq, in order to stimulate interest in retrieving the aforementioned door bearing the tribute to Jason. Awaiting a reply.
Awaiting a reply from Iraq. My fingers are crossed. I am humbled to have walked upon the same ground as Jason.
With luck, someone in Iraq, will soon answer my e-mails and (hopefully) report that the personal tribute to Jason, adorning a barracks door has been secured and is stateside bound.
I can't begin to tell you how many times I walked by said 'tribute' door, and scratched my head wondering who Jason Dunham was, and just exactly what it was that had made him the subject of such reverence . Obviously, he was missed deeply and thought of highly by the marines making their mark upon the subject door (now left behind.) I'm working on getting the door secured (at least trying to) and into the proper guardianship/receivership, if possible. Awaiting a reply to previous e-mails sent to Al Qa'im, Iraq.
I sure hope you are able to get it done. It should be in a museum or a memorial for the soldiers from there!
Hey!! Would you keep us posted on that?? I'm so tickled about what you're doing!!
marking
Agreed. If the marines on the ground get to eyeball the door, they will likely agree with you too. ;0)
Absolutely. Crossing my fingers and hoping someone e-mails me back soon with some good news, like, the door is still in the carpenter shop and... the marines have asked for it to be boxed up for an 8,000 mile trip home.
There is a 4 minute video at NPR with Jason's commander on scene, describing what happened that fateful day. He finds a fragment of Jason's kevlar helmet as he is briefing the camera crew. Chilling.
Just find a way to see to it that they do. That I will leave to people who know how to get those kinds of things done. It would be a wonderful tribute to one of our heroes! A REAL tribute from men who knew him. Gosh!
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