Here's something you might be interested in.
I heard a talk show going on about this. Then I read the story in the Union-Tribune yesterday morning.
The Marine that rolled onto a grenade to save guys with him in Iraq, won't receive the Medal of Honor. The Pentagon decided instead, to give him the Navy Cross.
His mother did what seems to be an all to common complaint. She played the race card. She wondered if him being Hispanic is the reason for their decision.
At that point, nobody in the Pentagon should even try talking with her. Once somebody establishes themselves as a nut job, I'm done with the sympathy.
The Marine is featured in a documentary. President Bush talked about it in a speech. But there are strict standards for the Medal of Honor.
A great movie that deals with this, is Courage Under Fire. It stars Denzel Washington, as an alcoholic that is investigating whether Meg Ryan (no, seriously, she's great in it) deserves the Medal.
Matt Damon has an early role as a drug addict. He had to lose something like 40 pounds for his role.
Lou Diamond Phillips went the opposite direction. He pumped iron, to fit his characters crazy, boxing soldier.
I remember reading a story 15 years ago, about someone that wanted to be buried at Arlington. I'm not sure of any of the details. Which means I probably shouldn't have brought it up. I am though, because, it was interesting how everyone debated that.
Arlington has strict rules, but unlike what most people think, you don't have to die in combat to be buried there. But the person that was going to be buried there, didn't fall under any of the categories.
Now, back to this local Marine.
A spokesman for the Navy said that there was conflicting evidence as to whether him smothering the grenade was a deliberate action. You see...he had been shot in the face and stomach, and when the grenade made it in, he was already laying down.
Everyone agrees the action saved the lives of several Marines standing a few feet away.
What I asked at the time, and I'm still wondering about, is what the actual procedure is for grenades being thrown in a fox hole.
I'm assuming at boot camp, they don't tell you to roll on top of them and "take one for the team".
Do they tell you to run immediately? Try to smother it with a blanket or heavier item? Throw it out? What???
I'm sure there will be lawyers involved. And if there is...will this woman really be proud of the Medal her son...."received"?
I heard a talk show going on about this. Then I read the story in the Union-Tribune yesterday morning.
The Marine that rolled onto a grenade to save guys with him in Iraq, won't receive the Medal of Honor. The Pentagon decided instead, to give him the Navy Cross.
His mother did what seems to be an all to common complaint. She played the race card. She wondered if him being Hispanic is the reason for their decision.
At that point, nobody in the Pentagon should even try talking with her. Once somebody establishes themselves as a nut job, I'm done with the sympathy.
The Marine is featured in a documentary. President Bush talked about it in a speech. But there are strict standards for the Medal of Honor.
A great movie that deals with this, is Courage Under Fire. It stars Denzel Washington, as an alcoholic that is investigating whether Meg Ryan (no, seriously, she's great in it) deserves the Medal.
Matt Damon has an early role as a drug addict. He had to lose something like 40 pounds for his role.
Lou Diamond Phillips went the opposite direction. He pumped iron, to fit his characters crazy, boxing soldier.
I remember reading a story 15 years ago, about someone that wanted to be buried at Arlington. I'm not sure of any of the details. Which means I probably shouldn't have brought it up. I am though, because, it was interesting how everyone debated that.
Arlington has strict rules, but unlike what most people think, you don't have to die in combat to be buried there. But the person that was going to be buried there, didn't fall under any of the categories.
Now, back to this local Marine.
A spokesman for the Navy said that there was conflicting evidence as to whether him smothering the grenade was a deliberate action. You see...he had been shot in the face and stomach, and when the grenade made it in, he was already laying down.
Everyone agrees the action saved the lives of several Marines standing a few feet away.
What I asked at the time, and I'm still wondering about, is what the actual procedure is for grenades being thrown in a fox hole.
I'm assuming at boot camp, they don't tell you to roll on top of them and "take one for the team".
Do they tell you to run immediately? Try to smother it with a blanket or heavier item? Throw it out? What???
I'm sure there will be lawyers involved. And if there is...will this woman really be proud of the Medal her son...."received"?