I’ve been a reader of this blog for about a year now. I find it fascinating, educational and thoroughly enjoyable. I especially appreciate the maturity and dignity it endeavors to teach. I always hope that more men who read this blog will take the valuable lessons to heart. This is the first time I have left a comment.

The greatness of our nation relies entirely on the strength of character of her people. We admire and support the men who display the virtues that we believe in.

We must, at a minimum, never forget the sacrifice of her finest citizens, such as they who have received recognition for it from their brothers in arms, the people they trust most. Let’s face it: those of us back here in the homeland too often go weak in the knees and lose our backbone at the first sign of tough going. Right when our troops need us the most to be strong for them, to cheer them on, to believe in them, to have faith that they deserve the victory their brothers have already died fighting for.

In the name of the men who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

I am serving at a MEPS and we have just dedicated our ceremony room to PFC McGinnis. His father spoke with pride and reverance that I think only a father could have.

Far too many of our young men fail to see how such a sacrifice is honorable and selfless.

BH
Active Duty Soldier

Brett, though you may not be a shipmate of mine, I commend you for the recognition of these Men. Their’ selflessness is something we should all aspire to.

Along with all of the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen who have paid the ultimate price for the freedom of others, I think it is equally important to honor the sacrifice of those whose battles are a little closer to home. Honoring the sacrifice of firefighters, police, doctors, teachers, any of these civil servants who take care of and watch over MY family when I am overseas deserve my respect and admiration as much as my brothers in arms who never were able to return home.

If you are in any of these catagories, I tell you now, “THANK YOU!” It is only through your sacrifice that I can give mine.

V/R,
M.A.P.
QM3(SW), USN

You never know what anyone will do. Some of the “toughest” crumble, while the ones you would never think of become the bravest. The bravest man I ever knew was our unit Medic. Originally, he was picked on because he was small, scrawny and a “Pecker-Checker,” but in our first action and thereafter, he was magnificent. When others went to the ground, he moved to the danger. Time and again. “Guns Up” and Doc right behind them. Survived it all without a scratch.

I was saddened to learn that he committed suicide only 6 months after he rotated back to the States. He had stared into the Darkness for too long and I guess that he didn’t like what he saw. He is missed…

You can do it at work. My boss, one of the greatest men I have ever met, has in more than one instance “jumped on the grenade” for me with these simple words: “I’m sorry; it’s my fault.”

It’s not just about being willing to die. It’s about realizing you are the only one who can protect the people around you in a given circumstance. It’s about manning up when those around you are too weak to do it for themselves.

Also, please don’t misuse a Patton quote to try to prove your point. Patton was simply saying NEEDLESSLY dying for your country wasn’t the main goal. I don’t think saving several of your own men’s lives falls into the same category. I doubt the families of the soldiers who were saved do either.

It seems you have completely misread this post.

“So if I don’t let myself get killed for my buddies I’m not a “real�? man?”

Where does the post say this? Perhaps you are not familiar with this blog’s “Lessons in Manliness” series but we often profile great men and draw lessons from their lives that can be applied to all men, no matter their circumstances. Your argument is as ridiculous as posting a comment on our LiM on Theodore Roosevelt like “So if I don’t become a US president than I’m not a real man?” The idea of the post was to get men to think about the virtue of sacrifice.

“Also, I’m a little peeved that you took offense to the one gunner bailing when the grenade landed.”

Again, where on earth are you getting this? Where did I “talk down” to that gunner? I simply added that part of the story to highlight the fact that McGinnis’ action was extraordinary and unique. The other gunner’s decision was completely understandable. But it also shows the amazing selflessness of what McGinnis’ did.

“What about my kids? What about those who depend on me to survive for them?”

What about the kids of the 6 men these 2 men saved? These men decided that it was better for 2 men to die than 8. That’s pretty amazing.

“Lets see your enlistment papers pal.”

Ah, you caught me! I didn’t serve in the military. And I forgot that only people who have served can honor those who did and draw inspiration from them. I hope you patrol the next Veteran’s Day parade with a megaphone, shouting at all the non-vets to get their BS-ing butts home.

“These men in heaven would be giving you the middle finger right now if they read this article.”

What?? Men who willingly sacrificed themselves for their brothers would be cursing me for honoring that sacrifice?? Sorry, buddy, but if there’s any profanity in heaven right now, it’s reserved for incredibly obtuse men like yourself.