Redstate

By Mark I Comments (2) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

Today, at the dedication of the new National Museum of the Marine Corps, in Quantico, VA, President Bush made news when he announced the awarding of America’s second Medal of Honor in the Global War on Terror to Marine Corps Corporal Jason Dunham.

Corporal Dunham was fatally wounded on April 14, 2004, near Husaybah, Iraq. Marine Corps News recounts his act of heroism:

Dunham was manning a vehicle checkpoint near Husaybah after a convoy was ambushed April 14. He observed car pull up and a man jump from the vehicle, sprinting away. Dunham - in full combat gear - chased the man down, tackling him to the ground.

Other Marines came to assist in the apprehension when the terrorist pulled a pin from a hand grenade. Dunham dove onto the grenade, taking the blast into his own body, saving the lives of his Marines. Dunham suffered serious wounds, along with two other Marines. But were it not for his actions, all three might have died.

President Bush paid a very moving tribute to Cpl. Dunham in his speech at the dedication ceremony. He announced the awarding of the Medal of Honor with tears in his eyes. After the speech, during the playing of the Marine Corps Hymn, the president continued to look in the direction of Cpl. Dunham’s parents. Clearly, the story of this young Marine has touched the heart of the president. Now with the awarding of the Medal of Honor, his bravery and dedication to his fellow Marines and to the mission will serve as a shining example for future generations of Marines, and swell the pride of a grateful nation.

I hope that today’s announcement by the president begins a new focus on the heroes of Iraq and Afghanistan. All who wear the uniform are heroes worthy of recognition. They are not victims of a failed policy, or of faulty management, or of poor planning. They are the best of us, and it is about time we as a nation recognized them for answering the call to duty and for giving selflessly of themselves.