Medal of Honor Is Awarded to Soldier

[TallBill]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06...ashington/03medal.html

WASHINGTON ? President Bush awarded the military?s highest honor posthumously on Monday to a 19-year-old soldier who was killed in Iraq after falling on a grenade to save his fellow soldiers.


Thomas and Romayne McGinnis at the White House holding the Medal of Honor awarded posthumously to their son, whose actions in Iraq saved the lives of, rear from left, Staff Sgt. Ian Newland, Sgt. Lyle Buehler, Sgt. First Class Cedric Thomas and Specialist Sean Lawson.


At a White House ceremony, the president presented the award to Romayne and Thomas McGinnis, the parents of the soldier, Pfc. Ross A. McGinnis of the Army.

Private McGinnis, of Knox, Pa., was killed in a Baghdad neighborhood on Dec. 4, 2006, when a grenade was thrown into the gunner?s hatch of the Humvee in which he was riding. Mr. Bush noted that Private McGinnis had enough time to jump out and save himself but instead dropped into the hatch and covered the grenade with his own body, absorbing the fragments. He was killed instantly. All four of his fellow soldiers were saved.

?When Ross McGinnis was in kindergarten,? Mr. Bush said, ?the teacher asked him to draw a picture of what he wanted to be when he grew up. He drew a soldier. Four men are alive because this soldier embodied our Army values and gave his life.?

Also in attendance at the ceremony were Vice President Dick Cheney and other military officials. Private McGinnis was posthumously promoted to specialist. He also received the Bronze Star and Silver Star. On Tuesday, Private McGinnis will be inducted into the Pentagon Hall of Heroes. A newly engraved headstone will be unveiled in a ceremony on Wednesday at Arlington National Cemetery.

Mr. Bush said that Private McGinnis was known for being a regular guy who enjoyed basketball and working on cars, and especially for his sense of humor. ?In high school and in the Army, Ross became known for his ability to do impersonations,? Mr. Bush said. ?A buddy from boot camp said that Ross was the only man there who could make the drill sergeant laugh.?


In April, Mr. Bush awarded the Medal of Honor to Petty Officer Second Class Michael A. Monsoor, 25, a Navy Seal who was killed similarly in 2006 by a grenade. Petty Officer Monsoor threw himself on top of a grenade to save others who were with him.

According to the Army?s Web site, the Medal of Honor was first authorized in 1861 for sailors and marines and the next year for soldiers as well. Nearly 3,500 have been awarded.

Edit - I don't really have any words to describe this young man and his actions. It's sad that this isn't on the front page of every major newspaper.

 

[fallout man]

What a loss for all of us.

Just think of what a guy with this kind of character would have accomplished had he not brunted the pits of a joke war.

 

[brencat]

Originally posted by: fallout man
What a loss for all of us.

Just think of what a guy with this kind of character would have accomplished had he not brunted the pits of a joke war.

Couldn't resist taking a dig at the war could you??

John 15:13: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

I submit this fellow committed the greatest act of love and glory being exactly what he wanted to be from the time he was very young. And I'll bet that his fellow soldiers that he saved, because of his action, will become some of the most accomplished and honorable people in life, if they aren't already, in tribute to him.

 

[palehorse]

/salute

 

[JS80]

NYT? Wow, was that like bottom left corner of page 26?

What a selfless hero.

 

[Cuda1447]

Originally posted by: fallout man
What a loss for all of us.

Just think of what a guy with this kind of character would have accomplished had he not brunted the pits of a joke war.

Seriously man, there is a place for politics and there is a place to honor those that fight for this country. Learn the difference.

 

[fallout man]

Originally posted by: brencat

Couldn't resist taking a dig at the war could you??

John 15:13: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

I submit this fellow committed the greatest act of love and glory being exactly what he wanted to be from the time he was very young. And I'll bet that his fellow soldiers that he saved, because of his action, will become some of the most accomplished and honorable people in life, if they aren't already, in tribute to him.

Hey, lots of folks would still be alive if it wasn't for "the war."

How are you doing your part, soldier?

They sell us love as divinity,
When it's only a social obscenity.
Underneath we're all lovable.

Originally posted by: Cuda1447

Seriously man, there is a place for politics and there is a place to honor those that fight for this country. Learn the difference.

There's also a dedicated condolences thread.

If you want to imply that my fucking heart doesn't pause a little every time I see some 20 year old kid's face in the obituary, then you can go and fuck yourself.

"Honoring those that fight for this country" is nowhere near the vein of tossing up pom-poms for sending kids to their death for monetary profit.

 

[b0mbrman]

:beer:

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Originally posted by: fallout man

Originally posted by: brencat

Couldn't resist taking a dig at the war could you??

John 15:13: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

I submit this fellow committed the greatest act of love and glory being exactly what he wanted to be from the time he was very young. And I'll bet that his fellow soldiers that he saved, because of his action, will become some of the most accomplished and honorable people in life, if they aren't already, in tribute to him.

Hey, lots of folks would still be alive if it wasn't for "the war."

How are you doing your part, soldier?

They sell us love as divinity,
When it's only a social obscenity.
Underneath we're all lovable.

Originally posted by: Cuda1447

Seriously man, there is a place for politics and there is a place to honor those that fight for this country. Learn the difference.

There's also a dedicated condolences thread.

If you want to imply that my fucking heart doesn't pause a little every time I see some 20 year old kid's face in the obituary, then you can go and fuck yourself.

"Honoring those that fight for this country" is nowhere near the vein of tossing up pom-poms for sending kids to their death for monetary profit.

1.5 people die every second. Death is natural.

These guys signed up for the military knowing that they would have to be obedient. It doesn't matter what the justification of war is. They are entitled to follow it. Sure they died before their prime, but they joined the army knowing it.

 

[noto12ious]

Originally posted by: fallout man
What a loss for all of us.

Just think of what a guy with this kind of character would have accomplished had he not brunted the pits of a joke war.

Bush: Here ya go, parents, a nice medal. I'm saddened your son died so that everyone around me could become stinking filthy rich(er). God we're so damn rich. I love it. I make funny videos for white house correspondence dinners, and we're all just happily laughing the WMD lie I helped to perpetrate. Fooled all of yall didn't I. Sucks to be your son. RIP.




Yeah. You know that's what he's thinking.

Sucks for our servicemen, though. And you are powerless to stop it.




Edit: Bush Thought #2: Don't worry parents, many other parents will be joining you as we'll lie to the public about another upcoming war.

 

[ericlp]

I remember when I was in boot camp... we were doing some 15 mile run and the drill Sargent throws out a dummy grenade and yells grenade!!!!

Well, long story short everyone including myself ended up in the bushes ... no one jumped on it.... so I can't remember but we were all doing push ups for awhile after that...

Anyway, back to this dude... Yeah that's pretty nice of him to save his buddies ... what spock said... I can't remember the 1 life to save the many ...something like that...

 

[JD50]

for a true American hero.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: tenshodo13

Originally posted by: fallout man

Originally posted by: brencat

Couldn't resist taking a dig at the war could you??

John 15:13: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

I submit this fellow committed the greatest act of love and glory being exactly what he wanted to be from the time he was very young. And I'll bet that his fellow soldiers that he saved, because of his action, will become some of the most accomplished and honorable people in life, if they aren't already, in tribute to him.

Hey, lots of folks would still be alive if it wasn't for "the war."

How are you doing your part, soldier?

They sell us love as divinity,
When it's only a social obscenity.
Underneath we're all lovable.

Originally posted by: Cuda1447

Seriously man, there is a place for politics and there is a place to honor those that fight for this country. Learn the difference.

There's also a dedicated condolences thread.

If you want to imply that my fucking heart doesn't pause a little every time I see some 20 year old kid's face in the obituary, then you can go and fuck yourself.

"Honoring those that fight for this country" is nowhere near the vein of tossing up pom-poms for sending kids to their death for monetary profit.

1.5 people die every second. Death is natural.

These guys signed up for the military knowing that they would have to be obedient. It doesn't matter what the justification of war is. They are entitled to follow it. Sure they died before their prime, but they joined the army knowing it.

So....are you saying you dont feel sorry for him, or what?

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: nick1985

Originally posted by: tenshodo13

Originally posted by: fallout man

Originally posted by: brencat

Couldn't resist taking a dig at the war could you??

John 15:13: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

I submit this fellow committed the greatest act of love and glory being exactly what he wanted to be from the time he was very young. And I'll bet that his fellow soldiers that he saved, because of his action, will become some of the most accomplished and honorable people in life, if they aren't already, in tribute to him.

Hey, lots of folks would still be alive if it wasn't for "the war."

How are you doing your part, soldier?

They sell us love as divinity,
When it's only a social obscenity.
Underneath we're all lovable.

Originally posted by: Cuda1447

Seriously man, there is a place for politics and there is a place to honor those that fight for this country. Learn the difference.

There's also a dedicated condolences thread.

If you want to imply that my fucking heart doesn't pause a little every time I see some 20 year old kid's face in the obituary, then you can go and fuck yourself.

"Honoring those that fight for this country" is nowhere near the vein of tossing up pom-poms for sending kids to their death for monetary profit.

1.5 people die every second. Death is natural.

These guys signed up for the military knowing that they would have to be obedient. It doesn't matter what the justification of war is. They are entitled to follow it. Sure they died before their prime, but they joined the army knowing it.

So....are you saying you dont feel sorry for him, or what?

Why would you feel sorry for him? He's dead. I feel sorry for his parents.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269

Originally posted by: nick1985

Originally posted by: tenshodo13

Originally posted by: fallout man

Originally posted by: brencat

Couldn't resist taking a dig at the war could you??

John 15:13: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

I submit this fellow committed the greatest act of love and glory being exactly what he wanted to be from the time he was very young. And I'll bet that his fellow soldiers that he saved, because of his action, will become some of the most accomplished and honorable people in life, if they aren't already, in tribute to him.

Hey, lots of folks would still be alive if it wasn't for "the war."

How are you doing your part, soldier?

They sell us love as divinity,
When it's only a social obscenity.
Underneath we're all lovable.

Originally posted by: Cuda1447

Seriously man, there is a place for politics and there is a place to honor those that fight for this country. Learn the difference.

There's also a dedicated condolences thread.

If you want to imply that my fucking heart doesn't pause a little every time I see some 20 year old kid's face in the obituary, then you can go and fuck yourself.

"Honoring those that fight for this country" is nowhere near the vein of tossing up pom-poms for sending kids to their death for monetary profit.

1.5 people die every second. Death is natural.

These guys signed up for the military knowing that they would have to be obedient. It doesn't matter what the justification of war is. They are entitled to follow it. Sure they died before their prime, but they joined the army knowing it.

So....are you saying you dont feel sorry for him, or what?

Why would you feel sorry for him? He's dead. I feel sorry for his parents.

Truth. Thats like asking what would I feel like if I had died in his place? I wouldn't feel anything, cause I'd be dead. I don't feel sad for him. He died serving.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: tenshodo13

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269

Originally posted by: nick1985

Originally posted by: tenshodo13

Originally posted by: fallout man

Originally posted by: brencat

Couldn't resist taking a dig at the war could you??

John 15:13: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

I submit this fellow committed the greatest act of love and glory being exactly what he wanted to be from the time he was very young. And I'll bet that his fellow soldiers that he saved, because of his action, will become some of the most accomplished and honorable people in life, if they aren't already, in tribute to him.

Hey, lots of folks would still be alive if it wasn't for "the war."

How are you doing your part, soldier?

They sell us love as divinity,
When it's only a social obscenity.
Underneath we're all lovable.

Originally posted by: Cuda1447

Seriously man, there is a place for politics and there is a place to honor those that fight for this country. Learn the difference.

There's also a dedicated condolences thread.

If you want to imply that my fucking heart doesn't pause a little every time I see some 20 year old kid's face in the obituary, then you can go and fuck yourself.

"Honoring those that fight for this country" is nowhere near the vein of tossing up pom-poms for sending kids to their death for monetary profit.

1.5 people die every second. Death is natural.

These guys signed up for the military knowing that they would have to be obedient. It doesn't matter what the justification of war is. They are entitled to follow it. Sure they died before their prime, but they joined the army knowing it.

So....are you saying you dont feel sorry for him, or what?

Why would you feel sorry for him? He's dead. I feel sorry for his parents.

Truth. Thats like asking what would I feel like if I had died in his place? I wouldn't feel anything, cause I'd be dead. I don't feel sad for him. He died serving.

Well that goods because I and a lot of people won't feel sorry when you die, hopefully sooner than later so we can not feel sorry sooner.

I feel sorry for him and his parents, but in a good way. He died doing what he wanted to do, and his actions saved the lives of others.
All you shit heads that don't care and think Bush is posturing by giving this kids family a medal, need to pack your shit and get the fuck out of my country.
You can sit on your fat asses and post on your computer about how high and mighty you are in your moral superiority, but go look a vet or the family member of a vet in the eye and act the way you do here and you'll soon get your ass kicked.

 

[palehorse]

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
You can sit on your fat asses and post on your computer about how high and mighty you are in your moral superiority, but go look a vet or the family member of a vet in the eye and act the way you do here and you'll soon get your ass kicked.

truth.

 

[lupi]

Seeing how most families feel about these trinkets as you'd like to call them; I'm sure they would offer you some quality time sitting on top of a loaded shotgun.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: fallout man
What a loss for all of us.

Just think of what a guy with this kind of character would have accomplished had he not brunted the pits of a joke war.

I don't think it's appropriate to bring politics into this heroes memorial. Seems to detract from his heroism.

These guys are under enormous pressures with the insurgency and an unpopular stance at home only trying to do the best they can under those circumstances. give it a rest save it for another thread.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: Cuda1447

Originally posted by: fallout man
What a loss for all of us.

Just think of what a guy with this kind of character would have accomplished had he not brunted the pits of a joke war.

Seriously man, there is a place for politics and there is a place to honor those that fight for this country. Learn the difference.

:thumbsup:

Thank you for your service and sacrifice, Pfc. Ross A. McGinnis.

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: fallout man
What a loss for all of us.

Just think of what a guy with this kind of character would have accomplished had he not brunted the pits of a joke war.

Pussy.

 

[antyler]

The kid sounds like a very brave soldier. Its awesome that we have people like that fighting for us.