December 7th

 The Sentinel's Creed

My dedication to this sacred duty
is total and whole-hearted.
In the responsibility bestowed on me
never will I falter.
And with dignity and perseverance
my standard will remain perfection.
Through the years of diligence and praise
and the discomfort of the elements,
I will walk my tour in humble reverence
to the best of my ability.
It is he who commands the respect I protect,
his bravery that made us so proud.
Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day,
alone in the thoughtful peace of night,
this soldier will in honored glory rest
under my eternal vigilance.

Tomb of the Unknowns

Guarding the Tomb...

of the Unknown Soldier. Even during a hurricane.

 The tomb was erected following WWI and honors the memory of unidentified soldiers killed in any war. The 3rd US Infantry Regiment consider it a duty of honor to continuously guarded the tomb and have done so since the beginning.

The picture above was taken today while Hurricane Sandy blew in, it needs to be noted that they don't necessarily walk the guard during extreme weather. They do, however, stay on site in a more protected area.

Bravo to those who refuse to allow even the weather to keep them from their sacred duty. 

It is sad that there are more than a few that feel this is fruitless and a waste of time and money. To me it sends a message from a grateful nation..."To those who have served, and those who still do, we will never leave or forsake you. We will never forget that you have paid the ultimate sacrifice, for us." 

Honesty...

CMA

So how many read the title of the article and thought Country Music Association awards? CMA has a deeper, more honorable meaning...



The Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest medal for valor in combat that can be awarded to members of the armed forces. It sometimes is referred to as the "Congressional Medal of Honor" because the president awards it on behalf of the Congress.

The medal was first authorized in 1861 for Sailors and Marines, and the following year for Soldiers as well. Since then, more than 3,400 Medals of Honor have been awarded to members of all DOD services and the Coast Guard, as well as to a few civilians who distinguished themselves with valor.

Medals of Honor are awarded sparingly and are bestowed only to the bravest of the brave; and that courage must be well documented. So few Medals of Honor are awarded, in fact, that there have only been five bestowed posthumously for service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Under a bright Afghan moon, eight U.S. paratroopers trudged along a ridge in the Korengal Valley, unaware they were walking right into a trap. Less than 20 feet away, a band of Taliban fighters executed the ambush plan perfectly, enveloping the paratrooper squad in an explosion of bullets and grenades.

Salvatore Giunta, a 22-year-old Army specialist from Hiawatha, Iowa, was knocked flat by the gunfire; luckily, a well-aimed round failed to penetrate his armored chest plate. As the paratroopers tried to gather their senses and scramble for a shred of cover, Giunta reacted instinctively, running straight into the teeth of the ambush to aid three wounded soldiers, one by one, who had been separated from the others.

Two paratroopers died in the Oct. 25, 2007, attack, and most of the others suffered serious wounds. But the toll would have been far higher if not for the bravery of Giunta, according to members of his unit and Army officials.

Those who serve in the military know that Medal of Honor recipients do not wear their medals to bring to mind their own heroic act, but to honor ALL who have served to defend freedom. Thank you Staff Sgt. Giunta!

If you only knew...

With a daughter in the military for almost 8 years now, I've had the opportunity to meet so many young men and women who serve. If you ask me, they may very well be our "Greatest Generation". I am not taking away from those brave and heroic people who served us in WWII. They didn't hesitate and didn't stop until the job was done. They do not need to prove themselves to anyone.

But the difference I see is that today's military is all volunteer. There is no draft, they don't have to put their lives on hold to serve. They do so because they choose to do so. There is something deep within that calls to them and they answer. Whenever, wherever.

Wish you could be on a base (especially on foreign soil) when the flag is raised or lowered. Each morning and each evening, the National Anthem is played and everything stops. It doesn't matter if you're near a flag or not. It doesn't matter if you're on duty or not. It only matters that the symbol of who we are is being honored. People stop talking, walking, driving, eating, laughing, playing...and stand at attention. If you are out of doors, this is not only expected, it's required.

Those that I have met make me so proud. They don't shirk their duty but perform it daily, even in the midst of adversity (both foreign and DOMESTIC). They do so with love, with dignity and with pride. Next time you happen to meet someone in uniform take a moment and shake their hand, maybe even give them a hug. They don't expect it but you can bet your bottom dollar that they'll love it...and so will you.