Medal Of Honor For Scio Marine

[steven]

Washington, D.C. (WBEN/AP/CBS) - A corporal from Western New York who died shielding men in his care from a bursting grenade is being awarded America’s highest military decoration. Cpl. Jason L. Dunham of Scio, Allegany County received the Medal of Honor, given posthumously by President Bush Thursday.
On April 14, 2004, in Iraq near the Syrian border, the corporal used his helmet and his body to smother an exploding Mills Bomb let loose by a raging insurgent whom Dunham and two other Marines tried to subdue.

The explosion dazed and wounded Lance Cpl. William Hampton and Pfc. Kelly Miller. The insurgent stood up after the blast and was immediately killed by Marine small-arms fire.

“By giving his own life, Cpl. Dunham saved the lives of two of his men and showed the world what it means to be a Marine,” said Bush.

Dunham lay face down with a shard the size of a dress-shirt button lodged in his head. The hard, molded mesh that was his Kevlar helmet was now scattered yards around into clods and shredded fabric. Dunham never regained consciousness and died eight days later at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., with his mother and father at his bedside.

Dunham’s commanding officers from 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, investigated his actions and nominated him for the Medal of Honor. After two years and seven months making its way to the White House, the nomination won the necessary approval from the president.

“The public now knows what Jason did,” said Deb. “We still have a loss, but the gift that Jason gave helps us go on.

http://www.wben.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=06618

[get_bent_pay_rent]

now i dont wanna try and make any less out of what he did. but if he had time, figure 3 seconds, to take off his helmet and jump on the grenade wouldnt 3 seconds be enough to pick it up and throw it? i dont know maybe the guy he was fightin "cooked" the grenade before he dropped it and he didnt have enough time, so i'll stop speculatin. the guys a hero thats good enough for me

[biker]

May God bless this brave and selfless man. I am sure he is in his just reward.

May God comfort his family.

May we all spend more than three seconds thanking him for his sacrifice on our behalf.

[Jackie Stecchino]

Sometimes you don't think that you have the three seconds. I believe that Cpl Dunham saw the immediate danger, expecting the grenade to go off in his face before he could cover it, hoping that he had time to do so. The time that passed must have been excruciatingly slow, much time to think about consequences. Yet Dunham pursued his goal, to protect his comrades for serious injury or death, even when knowing that he would not survive the ordeal.

He was a true hero and well deserving of the award, and we in WNY should honor him and his memory. Those who he saved will never forget what was done for them. That burden can be heavy.

God bless Cpl Dunham and those like him. Semper Fi.

[Timmy]

If that was my son, I would have smeared Bushes face in blood in front of the cameras

[snyps]

He died for this country, but he also died for his friends who didn't have to, and their bothers, sisters, parents and children didn't have to go through the pain of loseing someone.

No blood to be smeared!!!

He is the definition of an AMERICIAN HERO!

[snyps]

If that was my son, I would have smeared Bushes face in blood in front of the cameras

Why don't you go fight for your country? What have you done that isn't selfish lately? Have you ever helped out the community or done something for fellow man?

I would think if that was your son, you would be honored that he died protecting your sorry butt!!!

Go join that nut ball lady down in texas so I don't have to listen to you bitch!!!

[snyps]

now i dont wanna try and make any less out of what he did. but if he had time, figure 3 seconds, to take off his helmet and jump on the grenade wouldnt 3 seconds be enough to pick it up and throw it? i dont know maybe the guy he was fightin "cooked" the grenade before he dropped it and he didnt have enough time, so i'll stop speculatin. the guys a hero thats good enough for me

Look at this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mills_bomb

As said, the fuse was 4 seconds! He just reacted immeditally with pure selflessness. It goes to show you what type of a human being he was, he put everyone elses life infront of his in a split second!!!

[biker]

If that was my son, I would have smeared Bushes face in blood in front of the cameras

You have reached a new low.

Pray for forgiveness for despoiling the honored memory of this true American hero.

Make your own political statements with your own blood and effort.

[Timmy]

he is the definition of a hero! my comment isnt about the soldier but about our president

as a father I would have liked to see this mans selflessness, character, morals, ethics, faith, devotion, faith, commitment, sacrifice, compassion, and all the other wonderful characteristics he had to share be passed on to another generation.

Unfortunately, president bush has the blood on his hands for over 3,000 US soldiers and over 30,000 disabled soldiers to which the veterans affairs has a backlog of in the hundreds of thousands....I can support the troops while disagreeing with the Iraq war....and I could empathize with a parent who took that medal and wiped bushes face in blood instead of kissing him on the cheek. I wish a parent would do it.

[Cgoodsp466]

Semper FI

I hope some day If I earn a spot in Heaven I get to shake your hand.God bless your soul son.

[JustRetired]

Semper FI

I hope some day If I earn a spot in Heaven I get to shake your hand.God bless your soul son.

Ditto

[Riven37]

From this day to the ending of the world. Cpl Dunham shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother.


Semper FI Marine

[Jackie Stecchino]

he is the definition of a hero! my comment isnt about the soldier but about our president

as a father I would have liked to see this mans selflessness, character, morals, ethics, faith, devotion, faith, commitment, sacrifice, compassion, and all the other wonderful characteristics he had to share be passed on to another generation.

Unfortunately, president bush has the blood on his hands for over 3,000 US soldiers and over 30,000 disabled soldiers to which the veterans affairs has a backlog of in the hundreds of thousands....I can support the troops while disagreeing with the Iraq war....and I could empathize with a parent who took that medal and wiped bushes face in blood instead of kissing him on the cheek. I wish a parent would do it.

You know Timmy, maybe his parents believe in the cause, like Cpl Dunham did. Its a shame that men like Jason perished and those like you survive. I guess the rock that you live under must have ample room.

[Jackie Stecchino]

he is the definition of a hero! my comment isnt about the soldier but about our president

as a father I would have liked to see this mans selflessness, character, morals, ethics, faith, devotion, faith, commitment, sacrifice, compassion, and all the other wonderful characteristics he had to share be passed on to another generation.

Unfortunately, president bush has the blood on his hands for over 3,000 US soldiers and over 30,000 disabled soldiers to which the veterans affairs has a backlog of in the hundreds of thousands....I can support the troops while disagreeing with the Iraq war....and I could empathize with a parent who took that medal and wiped bushes face in blood instead of kissing him on the cheek. I wish a parent would do it.

Timmy, as an OIF veteran, I have contemplated your comment to the point that I cannot sit quietly by and allow it to unchallenged. Timmy, I have to ask why are you so bitter, angry and violent toward the President? Have you lost someone so dear that you feel that you need to strike out? Have you suffered injury so grievous that you feel that the President is responsible? Have you spent so much time in Iraq that you need to explode? Your sacrifice must have been great to feel so opposed to what is trying to be accomplished far more than those who have lost loved ones who still support the cause, and those are far more than those who are totally opposed.

OIF was my third trip to the Middle East, the first in 1987, the second in 1990-91 and the last 2003-04. If called again I will go, as has my son and my daughter also serves. Yet none of us holds the animosity that you do. I am not going to get into our experiences, but just to say that if either of us suffered serious injury or death, we knew that it was for a cause that was just. Saddam was a tyrant, murderer and had great ambitions to rule the Persian Gulf region. If left in power would have been a threat to all in the region and to us here at home. Those who believe otherwise are fooling themselves. But what can really make my blood boil are those like you, telling us on one hand, “Thank you for your service” while on the other ripping our Nation and President apart, believing that you are helping the troops. You couldn’t be more wrong.

Are you really appreciative of my service, my sacrifice? I think not. Your comments and others like yours has increased the morale of those who seek to destroy us. They gain confidence, willing to sacrifice longer for their cause rather than to pursue a peaceful resolution, ultimately leading to the deaths of our troops. The high media coverage of those who are vehemently opposed to this war has not been lost on Al-Qaeda, Iran and other groups who seek our destruction. They are beginning to see the light at the end of their journey to spread their extremist form of Islam in Iraq.

Osama bin Laden made statements long before 9/11 that the US has not the stomach for a prolonged conflict, citing Vietnam, Lebanon and Somalia. He said make American bleed and they will run. I guess he has it right. I am not saying that there have not been mistakes made in this war, and as there has been in other wars and that we don't need to adjust our efforts. We have some strategies that need changing. You don’t always get it right the first time, but you need to re-rack the strategy and fight again. Otherwise, to turn tail and run will not accomplish victory and in the years to come, we will fight this war again and again. We need to achieve victory in this war, nothing short. If England had thrown up their hands in defeat following their massive retreat at Dunkirk, Europe would be far different today. Yet they persevered when all others fell to the Nazi war machine and suffered greatly. They knew what was at stake and were willing to hold on to the bitter end. Thankfully there were few like you in that generation.

You want to know why parents of those who have lost children in this war haven’t reacted violently toward the President? As I said, they know the cause and what is at stake, as did their sons and daughters who volunteered to serve. Apparently you do not. We cannot afford to loose and every fraction of support the enemy receives through your attitude and comments just leads to more casualties on our troops and that of the Iraqi people. I would agree that demanding an effective strategy is acceptable and even encouraged, but your comments are over the top and go beyond criticism of tactics to a level that would have been considered treasonous in WWII. You and those like you blame Bush for the deaths of Iraqi citizens, but I am here to tell you those deaths are a result of the lack of unity on our part and it’s the enemy that is killing Iraqis, not President Bush. We who serve realize that. So when I hear “Thank you for your service” I feel that often it is disingenuous lip service. Support me by standing firm behind the President and praying for victory. There is too much at stake to lose.

[biker]

Jackie:

That is the most eloquent and reasoned post I have seen in quite a while.

Thank you.

[Jackie Stecchino]

Jackie:

That is the most eloquent and reasoned post I have seen in quite a while.

Thank you.


Thanks Biker, It was from the heart. I meant every word.

[JustRetired]

Jackie,

Outstanding, Thank You.

[The Constable]

Thanks Biker, It was from the heart. I meant every word.

It was certainly evident... may God bless Corporal Dunham...Semper Fi; and to you my friend.... Semper Paratus, keep safe in your task...

[Cgoodsp466]

Timmy, as an OIF veteran, I have contemplated your comment to the point that I cannot sit quietly by and allow it to unchallenged. Timmy, I have to ask why are you so bitter, angry and violent toward the President? Have you lost someone so dear that you feel that you need to strike out? Have you suffered injury so grievous that you feel that the President is responsible? Have you spent so much time in Iraq that you need to explode? Your sacrifice must have been great to feel so opposed to what is trying to be accomplished far more than those who have lost loved ones who still support the cause, and those are far more than those who are totally opposed.

OIF was my third trip to the Middle East, the first in 1987, the second in 1990-91 and the last 2003-04. If called again I will go, as has my son and my daughter also serves. Yet none of us holds the animosity that you do. I am not going to get into our experiences, but just to say that if either of us suffered serious injury or death, we knew that it was for a cause that was just. Saddam was a tyrant, murderer and had great ambitions to rule the Persian Gulf region. If left in power would have been a threat to all in the region and to us here at home. Those who believe otherwise are fooling themselves. But what can really make my blood boil are those like you, telling us on one hand, “Thank you for your service” while on the other ripping our Nation and President apart, believing that you are helping the troops. You couldn’t be more wrong.

Are you really appreciative of my service, my sacrifice? I think not. Your comments and others like yours has increased the morale of those who seek to destroy us. They gain confidence, willing to sacrifice longer for their cause rather than to pursue a peaceful resolution, ultimately leading to the deaths of our troops. The high media coverage of those who are vehemently opposed to this war has not been lost on Al-Qaeda, Iran and other groups who seek our destruction. They are beginning to see the light at the end of their journey to spread their extremist form of Islam in Iraq.

Osama bin Laden made statements long before 9/11 that the US has not the stomach for a prolonged conflict, citing Vietnam, Lebanon and Somalia. He said make American bleed and they will run. I guess he has it right. I am not saying that there have not been mistakes made in this war, and as there has been in other wars and that we don't need to adjust our efforts. We have some strategies that need changing. You don’t always get it right the first time, but you need to re-rack the strategy and fight again. Otherwise, to turn tail and run will not accomplish victory and in the years to come, we will fight this war again and again. We need to achieve victory in this war, nothing short. If England had thrown up their hands in defeat following their massive retreat at Dunkirk, Europe would be far different today. Yet they persevered when all others fell to the Nazi war machine and suffered greatly. They knew what was at stake and were willing to hold on to the bitter end. Thankfully there were few like you in that generation.

You want to know why parents of those who have lost children in this war haven’t reacted violently toward the President? As I said, they know the cause and what is at stake, as did their sons and daughters who volunteered to serve. Apparently you do not. We cannot afford to loose and every fraction of support the enemy receives through your attitude and comments just leads to more casualties on our troops and that of the Iraqi people. I would agree that demanding an effective strategy is acceptable and even encouraged, but your comments are over the top and go beyond criticism of tactics to a level that would have been considered treasonous in WWII. You and those like you blame Bush for the deaths of Iraqi citizens, but I am here to tell you those deaths are a result of the lack of unity on our part and it’s the enemy that is killing Iraqis, not President Bush. We who serve realize that. So when I hear “Thank you for your service” I feel that often it is disingenuous lip service. Support me by standing firm behind the President and praying for victory. There is too much at stake to lose.

Your a trooper,I will serve with you any day.Thanks for the response you spoke for all us old vets.

[Riven37]

You know guys, there is always one who wants to controll the president but I wont let Timmy bother me ... if everyone (including you Timmy) will go to www.Jasonmemorial.org visit his website memorial.