For The Fallen

Frank A. Herda

Rank and organization:Specialist Fourth Class,United States Army
Place and date: June 29, 1968 Vietnam War
Entered service at:Cleveland, Ohio

Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Herda (then Pfc.) distinguished himself while serving as a grenadier with Company A. Company A was part of a battalion-size night defensive perimeter when a large enemy force initiated an attack on the friendly units. While other enemy elements provided diversionary fire and indirect weapons fire to the west, a sapper force of approximately 30 men armed with hand grenades and small charges attacked Company A's perimeter from the east. As the sappers were making a last, violent assault, 5 of them charged the position defended by Sp4c. Herda and 2 comrades, 1 of whom was wounded and lay helpless in the bottom of the foxhole. Sp4c. Herda fired at the aggressors until they were within 10 feet of his position and 1 of their grenades landed in the foxhole. He fired 1 last round from his grenade launcher, hitting 1 of the enemy soldiers in the head, and then, with no concern for his safety, Sp4c. Herda immediately covered the blast of the grenade with his body. The explosion wounded him grievously, but his selfless action prevented his 2 comrades from being seriously injured or killed and enabled the remaining defender to kill the other sappers. By his gallantry at the risk of his life in the highest traditions of the military service, Sp4c. Herda has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

One way I can thank Mr. Herda is by knowing and using my rights. He risked his life so we can keep them. I would consider it an insult if I didn't know them. Mr. Herda did something extraordinary for the United States of America. He took a grenade blast for his fellow soldiers. He could have gotten away from the grenade but he didn't. So I'm going to know my rights and use them when needed.

MORE GOALS DONE

One goal I accomplished was understand politics. I usually just made form of them but it is way better when I understand them. Like the bills they try to pass and why they matter to me. The economy is really messed up and we need to bring it up. Also global warming is make a huge deal. Also the new president will make history. Either the first african american president or the first female vice president.



Welcome Home - Watch more funny videos here


This is one of the most awesomest rock bands ever. Coheed and Cambria have a total of 4 albums. From all of them my favorite is the one with the longest title ever. The title is Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness. I know many of you are wondering what does this do with my goals? Well they recently came to Chicago and I went. It was awesome.

Also I have gotten way better at Guitar Hero. I use to play on medium on all the songs. Now I can play on hard. I'm the best when I play on hard but I manage. I love playing "Suck My Kiss" by Red Hot Chili Peppers. That song is one of my favorites.Also the "Number of the Beast" by Iron Maiden.

Dream

" I say to you today my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream." Martin Luther King Jr. (pg. 372)

This was important to the speech because he was telling us that we can not quit on a dream. No matter how depressed, anger, frustrated we are the dream must live one. Just because things are not going our way does not mean we have to give up. Dreams were not had to be accomplished easy. If they were then whats the point of them.

This got to me because I give up on my dreams. Maybe because I am lazy and don't want to work hard. I know that I can just be given my dream I must work towards it. Also the African Americans had a positive view of their dreams. That's what you need for your dream to come true.

A Dream Deferred
by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore--

And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over-- like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags

like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?

A Dream Deferred

by Ruben Martinez

What happens to a lost dream?
Does it decay into dust?

Or Twitch violently

like an irritated eye

Does it stink like a port a poppy?

Or make you smile

like a childhood memory

Maybe it becomes a heavy load

like the world on your shoulders.

Or does it burn out?

What this poems mean is that what happens to a dream you give up on.Does it just stay there like nothing or takes effect on you. Some people become depressed because their dreams will not come true. Other keep trying until the day comes. What ever happens to your dreams is your decision.

Interviews!

I decided to interview my mom and dad for know there American Dream. The response might be short just bare with me. I was surprised by there answers.

Regina Del Valle
mom

1.What did you think when you heard United States?
I thought that there was a lot of money and I was going to work and have a house.


2.How did you get here?
From Mexico to the border on car. Crossed the border and walked to Phoenix.


3.What helped you make your final decision on coming to America?
I didn't have money and had a daughter to support. You dad had left me.


4.What did you expect on your arrival?
I was going to have a job right away and everything would be easy.


5.What was your American Dream?
To have a house and make a lot of money. Have a better life.



6.What was your first step?
I got a job and worked.



7.What was your first job?
I worked in a factory that made bags for cameras.


8.Why did you quit?
I was pregnant with you.



9.What did you miss from Mexico?
Everything the food, our customs , and especially my family.



10.Did your American Dream come true?
Yes I have a house. I also got something better a family.

my mom, me ,my dad , and my sister

(THERE JESS ARE YOU HAPPY)

Ruben Martinez
Dad

1.What did you think when you heard United States?
That everything was nice. That everything was easy.


2.How did you get here?
I was driven to the border and then I crossed it.

3.What helped you make your final decision on coming to America.?
I had no job and there was no work in Mexico.

4.What did you expect from America?
Have a job and earn a lot of money.

5. What was your American Dream?
Buy a car and a house.



6.What was your first step?
Find a job and work.

7.What was your first job?
I worked in a factory that made book bags.

8.Why did you quit?
I went back to Mexico.

9.Why did you go back?
Your mom was in Mexico.

10.Did your American dream come true?
You should know!! Well yes it did. I got a car and two house in the United States and Mexico.

WHAT I THINK

Some say that white people were documented and that it is easy and why don't immigrants do it. Well most of the white people's ancestor were documented and never left. So they got documented when they were born. All other immigrants have to go through paper work. Which is way more difficult. It takes a long time to do so and they can't wait. They want to build a good future for there family. No matter who you are family mostly comes first.

It is hard to live as an undocumented immigrant. They have to be really careful and safe. They get busted then it is over for them. Imagine this an immigrant has everything job, good family, education for kids. He gets deported he loses everything in. He gets deported he loses everything in a flash. That is the worst feeling in the world losing something really important. All over something that could have prevented.

Let talk about the jobs. Like what my dad says "Their is always work but it is up
to you to do it." This is true in many ways. For one people want to make a good living, but most of them are lazy. They just want it handed to them. They don't want to work for it. Immigrants don't want to do it but they do. Who would you hired a hard working immigrant or a lazy documented person? This is common sense.Why, because they know that if they do good they can get a raise. The money isn't everything. They care about their families and they work for them. Isn't that what America is? Standing for something you believe in.

PROTEST

Immigrants In! Minutemen Out! - The best video clips are here

These people understand immigrants. I support all the way.No matter what race you are. You know when something is wrong.

Scratch Off Three Goals

My first completed goal was go to a concert. It wasn't the Coheed and Cambria concert but it was something. It was the Enrique Inglesias and Aventura concert. It was my sister Yesika, her boyfriend, my dad, my mom and me. I didn't really want to go but I was forced to. We went a but early so we won't get there late. It was at Allstate Arena and last time we went we got lost. Half way there I tell my dad "It would be funny if we forget the tickets." Turns out we did. So we went back got the tickets and went back. We still got there early. I know I was surprised too. It started and it was cool. We got some cool pictures and he was really drunk. Then he jumped off stage to where we were sitting. I got to high five Enrique. It was truly awesome.

The second goal that I completed was play more video-games. I played a lot game of a short period of time. I played mostly online on my Xbox 360. The game I played the most was Gears of War. The story is awesome and so is online play. I played with Exile43. Hahaha Im not going to tell you his real name. We dominated online war zone. Destroyed anyone that got in our way. It was fun. I also played Mario Kart Wii. So many years later that game is still fun.

My third goal I completed was watch of the Death Note episodes. My faces was like his when I finished. The ending was very shocking and awesome. I was like whoa and I can't believe that just happened. All these crazy plot twist and surprises. It was worth every minute. I watch 2 episodes every day at night. Then I was super excited to see the real people movie. They made all the shinigamis look so real. All I got to say is WATCH IT!!!