If we maintain our faith in God, love of freedom, and superior global air power, the future [of the US] looks good.

— General Curtis Lemay

Hero

I had the incredible privilege of conducting the service for one of our nation's heroes from WWII, Lt Gen Gordon Graham. By the end of WWII he was a triple ace. But he didn't stop there. He continued to serve our nation in a long career including Vietnam. His list of accomplishments and service is profound. You just have to read it for yourself. You can read about his amazing service here.

Truly the field of Arlington are fields of honor because of the service and sacrifice of those who rest there.

Freedom is NOT FREE!

On this Independence Day -- we remember Freedom is not free.

Mikey Monsoor sacrificed himself on 29 September 2006 that his brothers in arms could remain alive - free. He could have saved himself. He saved hs comrads, throwing himself on a live grenade.

He was awarded the Medal of Honor. He is the fourth in the War on Terror to receive the award.

View his memorial service here.

   
 From this day
 to the ending of the world,
    But we in it 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; be he ne'er so vile,
    This day shall gentle his condition;

And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,

    And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
    That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

William Shakespeare
King Henry V

The citation for the award of the Medal of Honor to Master at Arms 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor:

The President of the United States, in the name of the Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor, posthumously, to Master At Arms Second Class, Sea, Air and Land, Michael A. Monsoor, United States Navy. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Automatic Weapons Gunner for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 29 September 2006.

As a member of a combined SEAL and Iraqi Army sniper overwatch element, tasked with providing early warning and stand-off protection from a rooftop in an insurgent-held sector of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Petty Officer Monsoor distinguished himself by his exceptional bravery in the face of grave danger. In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element's position. Element snipers thwarted the enemy's initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. The enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. While the SEALs vigilantly watched for enemy activity, an insurgent threw a hand grenade from an unseen location, which bounced off Petty Officer Monsoor's chest and landed in front of him. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his teammates. Instantly and without regard for his own safety, he threw himself onto the grenade to absorb the force of the explosion with his body, saving the lives of his two teammates. By his undaunted courage, fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of certain death, Petty Officer Monsoor gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.