Heroes

Dakota Meyer will receive the Medal of Honor from his Country today. What he did, and has done as a Marine is worthy of our greatest admiration and gratitude.

He insists he is not a hero, but was only doing “what Marines do…I’m the furthest thing from a hero,” he says. “What gives me the right to be standing here today and not their kids?” (speaking of the soldiers who were killed in the action for which he is cited.) (ABC News online)

He is not old enough, or wise enough, to realize yet that he will soon be forgotten by most. He will become an old man with his medals in a box that few, if any, are interested in seeing or talking about. We, as a Nation and a society, quickly forget the real heroes.

Every man or woman who enters the battle field, or ever has, is a hero. They are worthy of double honor – every day, for the rest of their lives, and beyond as we honor them on Memorial Day and other times throughout the year. Without their sacrifice and service to our beloved United States of America, we would have only the tyranny and bondage of ruthless dictators and/or the absence of genuine freedom which is the lot of so many Countries around the World.

When I see a combat veteran, a wounded hero, or the few amazingly brave men and women who remain alive from WWII, I will whisper a word of thanks, and breathe a pray of gratitude for their gift to us (read: U. S.).

I am sure I  will never have the opportunity to meet Dakota Meyer. I have had the explicit joy of meeting Dallas Lynch (18 medals including the Distinguished Service Cross from WWII). But to them and the vast host of men and women who have combat experience for US forces on their resume. . .

Ladies and Gentlemen: Thank you for your gift to me of life, liberty, freedom, and the continuation of “the American Way.” We can never repay our debt to you and your comrades in arms.