Posted by
The Valletta Papers on Saturday, November 11, 2006 10:50:05 AM
My sincere and heartfelt gratitude goes out to all veterans
of the United States Armed Forces on this day and always. A special
commemorative video
clip is posted on Hot Air by Michelle Malkin wherein she reviews the heroism of
Doolittle’s Raiders. Hot Air provides actual video footage of Doolittle’s
Raiders, as well as recent interviews with a few of the surviving heroes. Make
sure you watch it!
America’s
Armed Forces are still filled with duty-driven, self-sacrificing heroes like
those of Doolittle’s Raiders in World War II. One such hero is Jason Dunham, of Scio, NY.
Yesterday, President Bush, while dedicating the new National Museum
of the Marine Corps, presented the Congressional Medal of Honor to Jason
Dunham. Here is
what the President said about this exemplary young American:
“This
new generation has also given some of its finest men in the line of duty. One
of these fine men was Jason Dunham. Jason's birthday is November the 10th, so
you might say that he was born to be a Marine. And as far back as boot camp,
his superiors spotted the quality that would mark this young American as an
outstanding Marine: his willingness to put the needs of others before his own.
“Corporal
Dunham showed that spirit in April 2004, while leading a patrol of his Marines
in an Iraqi town near the Syrian border. When a nearby Marine convoy was
ambushed, Corporal Dunham led his squad to the site of the attack, where he and
his men stopped a convoy of cars that were trying to make an escape. As he
moved to search one of the vehicles, an insurgent jumped out and grabbed the
Corporal by the throat. The Corporal engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat.
At one point he shouted to his fellow Marines, "No, no, no, watch his
hand." Moments later, an enemy grenade rolled out. Corporal Dunham did not
hesitate; he jumped on the grenade to protect his fellow Marines, he used his
helmet and his body to absorb the blast.
“A
friend who was there that terrible day put it this way: ‘Corporal Dunham had a
gift from God. Everyone who came in contact with him wanted to be like him. He
was the toughest Marine, but the nicest guy. He would do anything for you.
Corporal Dunham was the kind of person everybody wants as their best friend.’
Despite surviving the initial blast and being given the best of medical care,
Corporal Dunham ultimately succumbed to his wounds. And by giving his own life,
Corporal Dunham saved the lives of two of his men and showed the world what it
means to be a Marine.
“Corporal
Dunham's mom and dad are with us today on what would have been this brave young
man's 25th birthday. We remember that the Marine who so freely gave his life was
your beloved son. We ask a loving God to comfort you for a loss that can never
be replaced. And on this special birthday, in the company of his fellow
Marines, I'm proud to announce that our nation will recognize Corporal Jason
Dunham's action with America's
highest decoration for valor, the Medal of Honor.
“As
long as we have Marines [and I might add all branchesof the Armed Forces] like
Corporal Dunham, America
will never fear for her liberty.”
So, thank you veterans. Thank you for your service, example,
and heroism. America,
and the world, needs more heroes like you.