Sunday, December 7, 2008

The Congressional Medal of Honor


Every morning I see what I think is a great symbol for honor, respect, and sacrifice. That is the flag of the United States of America. To me it is more than a flag. It represents our fifty states and the third teen original colonies. Also represents all the men and women who put there lives at risk so that flag can stand tall. All the men and women are are beyond people to me. They are protectors of the flag, this country, and even me. There is always those who go over the top. The Medal of Honor recipients do what has to be done no questions asked. Their stories are extraordinary no matter who hears it. They have the highest honor any one can have.

The Medal of Honor means a lot to me. The one thing that stands out more is the sacrifices one had to do. Like they had to leave their personnel lives behind so other people can have them. Leaving loved ones and friends behind to fight for a country that gave it to you. I can't forget them putting there lives at risk. Standing at the front lines knowing that they might not make it back. Thinking of everyone they care because it might be the last time they saw them. Instead of backing off and playing it safe they fight until they can't anymore. The aftermath is always the hardest to get through. They could have been seriously injured or even die. It is always hard to get through changes. Somehow they manage to get though and stand tall with the respect they deserve.

Like everything else in life we must work for something. Nothing is just given away for no reason especially the Medal of Honor. The bravery it took to do what they did is unmeasurable. Staying calm is always hard because they is where the mind thinks the worse can happen. In war it could happen and to stay calm during that time is hard. Some manage to do it and since their minds are calm they stay focus on what they are supposed to do. Going under heavy fire to do something or help someone is not an easy task. Many people will think about it, some will try to ignore it or send someone else. Few will decide to run through and so the task they try to do. Without thinking twice or wondering what could happen to them. They know they could get hurt but they still do it. To me that is true bravery no matter what they say to me.

Heroes look for no reward no matter what they did. They say that it was the right thing to do. Well not everyone will but their live on the line for other people. Sometimes the right thing to do isn't the easiest. Also they didn't do it for recognition or a reward. No one asked for a parade or day for them. They didn't do it for a special reason they did it because it was the right thing. Many think that they just didn't deserve it there whole squad or platoon. In my mind they are all heroes that will never be forgotten.

So every time I say the Pledge of Allegiance I say it proud. There is nothing to be ashamed off. I know there is men and women who fought for the flag and our rights. They didn't do anything wrong that they don't deserve the Medal of Honor. They did anything that was possible to do their task in the army. Went beyond the call of duty when no one asked them to. They are better than people in a uniform they are heroes for a country that stands for so much.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

"There is no place on earth where evil dosen't exists." Wars are at times necessary to fight off the evil forces in the world to stop their goal of world domination. The armies, so proud and full of life, die; enemies rise. The rain falls and the small army comes, seeing that they can't lose or let the enemies win, they do the unthinkable. They risk their lifes and do what they saw as the only option to either stop or kill the enemy. These men are what we call the Medal of Honor Recipients."

If it wasn't for the men and woman wearing this medal the history of the nation and the structuring of it might have never began, we might have still be ruled by the British or taken over by Hitler. Thanks to them and what they have done we are here and to that we say thank you and no more, for what can we say about their action? Ruben how is it that the people who recieve it go into the shadows, hide, or live alone to die and join their comrades? Should we, the new generations of America see them as an example of not heroes, but of what we as Americans, I don't mean "pure" Americans, but those who consider themselves Americans and the "original" Americans have inside of them in times of chaos and terror. We must not forget them and remind them that they are not. All we are doing is because of their actions and sacrifices for the nation, so that they will open their doors or their rooms or houses and see that they will be remembered alive or dead.