The president posthumously awarded the nation’s highest military honor for valor to Lt. Michael Murphy of Patchogue, N.Y.””the first given for combat in Afghanistan.
Before the emotional White House ceremony, Murphy’s parents Dan and Maureen Murphy met with Bush and gave him a gold dog tag in tribute to their son.
“What we were most touched by was that the president immediately put that on underneath his shirt, and when he made the presentation of the Medal of Honor, he wore that against his chest,” said the father.
After the ceremony, Dan Murphy said, Bush told the family: “I was inspired by having Michael next to my chest.”
The father, who fought back tears during the ceremony, said they were “deeply moved” by Bush’s gesture.
“It was very emotional on everybody’s part,” said Maureen Murphy.
Bush presided over a solemn ceremony honoring their son’s battlefield decision to expose himself to deadly enemy fire in order to make a desperate call for help for his elite combat team.
“While their missions were often carried out in secrecy, their love of country and devotion to each other was always clear,” Bush said. “On June 28, 2005, Michael would give his life for these ideals.”
The depth of love that leads to the giving one’s life for one’s comrades-in-arms and for one’s country is something those who have not served in combat in combat units cannot truly comprehend.
We are blessed that our country still produces men like Lieutenant Michael Murphy.
God bless Lt Murphy and his family. Heroic service such as his should never be forgotten.
And good for the President for allowing a public tribute. (Of course, it makes good PR for Mr. Bush).
Here’s the larger question: Why is not our President attending the funerals of our brave troops whom he has sent into harm’s way? Thousands have died; tens of thousands have been wounded or permanently disabled. Where are the pictures of him visiting the hideously maimed, including those with permanent brain injuries? There have been and will be very, very few of those — because it’s ‘bad’ PR for Mr. Bush. The Pentagon doesn’t even allow pictures of the flag-draped caskets coming off the airplanes from Iraq.
It’s a very ‘sanitary’ war for most Americans. We’re not asked to sacrifice financially (leave that to our children and grandchildren). And with a voluntary military, only the dedicated and/or economically disadvantaged folks need have their lives shattered and or their brains blown out. So, why not continue the fight?
Military families are being stretched beyond all decent limits by prolonged postings and minimal R&R; the National Guard has been stripped of its state-side equipment.
The President has recently requested an enormous increase in treasure (billions) beyond what has already been given by the American taxpayer.
And for what? As Mr. Greenspan recently pointed out, it’s all done for the OIL. The war has been a disaster since Day One. We need to bring our gallant troops home NOW. It’s not their fault that they were put into an impossible sectarian war in a culture Mr. Bush & Friends refused to understand.
When the Iraq war first started, I told a retired military friend: “I’ll believe it’s a ‘crusade for freedom’ as soon as the children of Mr. Bush and his neo-con buddies sign up to be shipped to Iraq. It’s not about ‘democracy’ or ‘freedom’. It’s all about the OIL and which big corporation gets to control the spigot, at US taxpayer expense.”
My friend was unhappy with me at the time. Recently, however, he sought me ought to apologize, and to advise that he has totally changed his mind about the Iraq War. He has seen up close and personal the devastation this poorly-managed adventure is doing to the troops he loves, and to which he has devoted his life and limb. The Iraq War is a disaster, and we need to end to NOW.
…to end it NOW.
By longstanding tradition in the Navy all rise when someone who holds The Medal enters the room. He is entitled to be saluted by anyone else in in uniform who does not also have The Medal (even senior officers), and to be piped over the side with side boys should he so desire. More than four of five who receive it do so posthumously. Their children are automatically entitled to admission to any of the service academies.
A chunk of engraved metal hanging from a piece of colored cloth. That’s all it is. That… and the closest thing a republic has to a title of nobility or knighthood.
Hats off from a former Petty Officer 2nd Class USN.
As one who is retired military and who has a daughter and son-in-law who have also served (my daughter actually commissioned me!) I need to point out that ours is a VOLUNTARY force where NO ONE forces sons or daughters to join. Rather each is led on his or her own.
Little Cabbage, I hope you are praying for all those who HAVE volunteered.
This young man epitomized Christian love for his neighbor–his bleeding buddies. I note that he was especially noted for saying “thank you Sir” as he signed off from his radio call–probably those were his last words.
drjoan: I certainly pray for our troops overseas — including my own relatives and friends serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Please note again my awed reverence for this young man’s selfless acts of courage.
At the same time, I stand by my post. This war of choice has been a disaster since Day One. The only thing that will solve the crisis in Iraq is a partition which takes into account that three or four groups of people there have been warring between themselves for thousands of years. The ‘nation’ called ‘Iraq’ was the brainchild of the Western Powers at the end of WWI, who installed (and supported with $ and weapons) their puppet Shah to rule it.