Medal of Honor
Unlike most of the military men I served with I did have the honor once of meeting an actual Medal of Honor recipient. I was getting ready to leave the service, the re-enlistment NCO had been working on a few of us for a few days and we had decided to go back to the world and the land of the big PX.
(Ranter Note: I regretted that decision most of my life, I had many problems at home and a Father begging me to return, different times. I ended up joining the police force just get a semblance of military back in my life)
My friends and I went to the local NCO club to relax over a few beers and many lies. We were seated at a table and noticed quite a few men had gathered around another table making toasts. I figured someone was retiring and always in the mood for a free drink walked over to pay my respects. I saw a heavy stripped NCO seated with a MOH (Medal of Honor) draped around his neck chatting with everyone. I exclaimed to the NCO next to me that this Sgt. Had actually won the MOH.
The First Sgt. I had made the remark to said something to me that I have never forgot to this very day. He looked at me, saw I was a simple buck Sgt, E-5 to his E-8 and dressed my butt down in a low voice. The one remark that remained was, “son, you can never win a Medal of Honor, Congress bestows it upon you for heroism above and beyond.” I went back to my table in a state of total awe and wonder at what was inside the small man seated at the table.
This leads me to the present day and an article I had just read written by, W. Thomas Smith Jr. Executive Editor of World Defense Review, titled, Beyond the DropZone. He writes and I shall quote, “Michael Edwin "Mike" Thornton. A retired U.S. Navy SEAL, Thornton received the Medal of Honor (MOH) for his actions on October 31 – Halloween night – 1972, when – among other things – he saved the life of his mission commander, SEAL Lieutenant Thomas R. Norris, who himself received the MOH.”
The article is a great piece of information and a “must read” pertaining to the war on terror. I often quote and make sure I always attribute it to the writer, but not this time. Stop by the World Defense Review and read the article as it provides insight into what is and should be done, you will not regret it.
3 comments:
Great, Great, GREAT article!!! This should be the ideal all American boys look up to. Not the sports, rap, low life quick buck artists so in vogue at the current time. Thanx for bringin it to our attention.
As I was reading half way thru I got the "willies" up and down my spine, and shook for a good full minute. WOW.
I appreciate you not only for who and what you are but also that you share yer life with us (love hearing yer stories) and always come up with good sites to navigate to.
Too bad you don't get paid for blogging, you're worth it. Oh yeah, I forgot the payments should begin soon. Hee-hee.
Thank you Mommabear,
Dern that would be nice. Hmm. Nope. I was approached once to add rotating advertising to the site for a few pennies a hit and said NO.
My work of love. I also hate the math. Smile
Ranter
Social security I mean. If they can call it that.
Dealing with alot of social in-security right now IMHO.
Ha.
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