The President did not "give one out" today. This young, proud, and truly all American HERO earned every part of the Medal of Honor AWARDED to him in defence of his country, saving the lives (PLURAL) of US and Afgan troops, and just being one head strong MARINE. More than once he challenged orders to stay in safety and therefore not place himself in harms way, he could of done just that and been in complete compliance with his duties. He then disobeyed orders (tough move for a Marine) and went in SEVERAL times to the rescue of his brothers in arms. The President - with all due respect -gave nothing to this Marine that he did not already have, the Medal is just a small token of the appreciation this country owes this man. Semper Fi Marine - and thank you very much.
Well, here is my try. Your original post "President Obama gave one out today." is not a good description of an honor bestowed upon a Marine who earned the MoH and the highest medal awarded to a member of the armed forces in the defence of our nation. No offense ment but that was just an over simplification of the MoH you presented in your opening post.
Know it all, hardly.... Know better than that, absolutly.
The gentleman that you are questioning does "know a lot more than most." He has "walked the walk," and may in fact be writing his post from the desert.
I have personally known a couple of MOH recipients.....and knew at least one that should have received it. I have read, and heard, many incorrect statements surrounding our nation's highest military honor. The one that makes me cringe the most is referring to it as being "won"......I don't think any of our heroes considered that they were in a contest.
I encourage all of us, myself included, to not dwell on the semantics. Rather that we take a moment and appreciate the fact that we still have Americans who are willing to risk their lives to protect our way of life.
Semper fi Marine!
Chief
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Dream like you're going to live forever, live like you're going to die tomorrow, and dance like nobody is watching!
When he spoke about receiving the MOH, he said that he does not feel like a hero, he feels like a failure. A failure because he set out to save all his buddies and he did not save them all. Everyone who has been in combat feels this way all thier life after they survive. It's called survivors guilt. "Why them, why not me?" Lets just be thankful for him and all the others who stood, or currently stand in harms way, and pray that he can live a long productive life with the guilt he will feel forever!
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James Rudd
2001 25' Safari
2003 Dodge 2500
I have the utmost reverence and respect for the Medal of Honor.
I have told many people "They don't just give those things out".
When a person receives the Medal of Honor, you know.. that if you read their story..
me anyway.. I get all choked up.
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As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.
- Andrew Carnegie
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