bush to award medal of honor to deceased Marine

[Philosoraptor]

http://www.salon.com/wire/ap/archive.html?wire=D8MJ3EHG2.html

January 11,2007 | WASHINGTON -- Two years ago a young Marine fell on a hand grenade in Iraq, giving his life to save his comrades. Now he is in line to be recognized as only the second Medal of Honor winner from the war. President Bush on Thursday was to posthumously award the medal, the nation's highest military decoration, to Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham of Scio, N.Y. His parents were to accept the award in a ceremony in the ornate East Room of the White House.



Afterward, Bush was to visit an Army fort that must suddenly send troops off to Iraq more quickly than expected.

The agenda of military themes on Thursday came as Bush's new Iraq strategy headed toward a showdown with the Democratic-controlled Congress. In a speech to the nation Wednesday, Bush said he would send 21,500 additional U.S. forces to Iraq to try to stabilize the country, despite objections from lawmakers and some of his own generals.

In April 2004, Dunham, a 22-year-old corporal, received a report that a Marine convoy had been ambushed, according to a Marine Corps account. Dunham led his men to the site near Husaybah, halting a convoy of departing cars. An insurgent in one of the vehicles grabbed him by the throat when he went to search the car and the two fought. A grenade was dropped, and Dunham covered the explosive with his Kevlar helmet, which along with his chest plate absorbed some of the blast.

[Philosoraptor]

1. What a sickening display.

[global1]

2. I Don't Want To Take Away What This Marine Did For This County....

and he should be honored for his deeds. But I'm sorry - this ceremony smacks as a PR move by *Co in his quest to gain support for his failed plan for Iraq. From that aspect it is disgusting.

Look at the people that are represented at this ceremony. I feel sorry for the family to be put into this position.

BTW * is sounding Texan this a.m.

[Philosoraptor]

3. And he's cracking shitty jokes of course.

[hobbit709]

4. When he talked about "honor"

I didn't know if I wanted to:puke: or:nuke: first