Posted on 11/19/2006 5:52:17 PM PST by The Mayor
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T.G.I.F. at the Finest |
Every Thursday at the Finest  |
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Hello!
Happy Military Monday.
A Marine, Joseph Darling, eloquently described a duty he often volunteers for now, presenting the flag to families at funerals for the fallen. "I stand at the head of the casket because that is where the stars are. The stars with the blue background are always over the heart of the deceased. The stars are always over the heart for love of country."
Hi Dolly, Thanks for the flags, I always love to see them flying!
Thank you Dubya!
I had that saved in an HTML format sometime ago from not even sure where.. prolly the canteen..Yes, I like them too..
Long day here.. need to feed mom, pets & clean up a bit.
Very funny
Wonderful, Dolly. One of those is Lady Jag's tag.
And the one about Mr. Grenade was my tagline on another forum a few years ago...
Jason Dunham is shown here in a picture the last time he was home in Scio.
SCIO - It wasn't hard for Dan and Deb Dunham to find their way home Tuesday night.
All they had to do was follow the 45 flags, bunting and red, white and blue wreathes Scio Central School personnel had placed from Main Street to the doorstep after learning that Marine Corporal Jason Dunham will posthumously receive the Medal of Honor.
The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military award. President George W. Bush announced Friday at the dedication of the National Marine Corps Museum in Virginia that Dunham will be a recipient.
The former Scio Central School athlete died in April 2004, succumbing to wounds he received after throwing himself on a Mills bomb during a roadside check near Karbala, Iraq. His actions saved the lives of two other Marines.
“It's not about us, it's about Jason and the man on the right and the man on the left,” said Dan and Deb concerning all the fame, gifts and thanks they have received in the 31 months since they sat at their son's bedside in the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland before he passed away.
A few days ago when the Dunham's left for Virginia, they just wanted to be part of the opening ceremonies for the Marine Corps Museum. They never realized, even after they were told attendance was by invitation only that they would have a starring role in the ceremony.
“”We knew last year that it was something we wanted to be there for,” said Dan.
Since their son's death the Dunham family has increased immeasurably by the number of Marines who have become friends and part of the family as all have coped with the loss. “The Marines take care of their own,” is the oft quoted remark. The Dunham family, including Jason's younger siblings, Justin, Kyle and Katie, have come under the wing of the Marine Corps eagle, anchor and globe. They contact the family monthly, Deb said.
It wasn't until they realized their Marine friends were giving them just a little more attention than was required - they couldn't travel anywhere without a Marine escort including the bathrooms, they were given a private tour of the museum hours before the opening ceremony - they began to realize something “was up,” they said.
“We'd hoped Jason would be named a recipient on the day the museum was dedicated because it was on his birthday, but we didn't know,” said Deb.
“We learned that Jason was a Medal of Honor recipient when the President announced it,” Dan said. “We were all crying. Even the President had a tear running down his cheek.”
When the announcement was made Bush recounted the story surrounding Dunham's death saying, “As long as we have Marines like Corporal Dunham America will never fear for her liberty.”
The actual presentation of the Medal of Honor has not yet taken place. After they were asked the Dunhams said they would like to see it happen before Christmas, but since President Bush is on a tight schedule it will probably not occur until January said Dan. The ceremony will take place in the White House, and the Dunhams are allowed to invite 100 guests.
….. After the announcement the Dunhams were escorted to a private room where they once again met with the President.
“He came right over to us and gave us hugs,” said Deb. “He's a very warm and genuine person, not at all like he appears on television. He asked about Justin and Kyle and Katie and asked, ‘How you doin',” she said.
Following the ceremony the Dunhams were taken by their Marine escort to a replica of Dun's Tavern where the Marine Corps was formed 231 years ago. They were escorted everywhere by the Marines.
….. The Medal of Honor was established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1862. It is awarded in the name of Congress to a person who, while a member of the Armed Services, distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States, including bravery or self-sacrifice, so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his comrades.
More than 3,400 Medals of Honor have been bestowed since 1861. On April 4, 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith posthumously earned the Medal of Honor. Before Dunham the last Marine to receive the Medal of Honor was Lance Cpl. Miguel Keith during Vietnam.
There are three versions of the Medal of Honor - one design for the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard, bearing a star - and another design each for the Army and Air Force. Each medal is hung on a light blue ribbon embroidered with 13 stars.
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ROFL!!!
Those are really good..and some of them very true! :D
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Thank you to all who wear the uniforms of the United States military in all its branches, in many parts of the world and here at home, for all your service and sacrifice. Freedom must be defended: I thank God for those who do so! May the Father in heaven look upon every one with mercy, for provision and protection and great courage in the face of great evil, granting every answer to every prayer in Jesus' Glorious Name, and displaying His Power, Wisdom, Strength and Knowledge among you all, and among those who wait so fervently for your homecoming, amen.
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