Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Medal of Honor Awarded to Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta (First Living Recipient since Vietnam)
246 Medals were granted to those who fought in VietNam, 133 for those in the Korean War and 464 for World War II. During the Iraq/Afghanistan war, six have been awarded post-humously. The lack of medals from these wars has contributed to the lack of public appreciation for our brave troops over these last nine years. Army Spc. Salvatore Guinta, 22 years old (now Staff Sgt.) was among the eight U.S. paratroopers walking along a ridge in the Korengal Valley, in Afghanistan. Suddenly, they had walked into a an explosion of grenades and bullets. They had stumbled into a Taliban trap. Army Spc. Guinta was knocked flat when the armored chest plate protected him from a bullet and he rolled into a washed-out rut. As the squad tried to head for cover, Guinta's instincts kicked in and he ran straight into the ambush to aid three wounded soldiers, who had been separated from the others. This attack occurred October 25th, 2007, resulting in two paratroopers dying and the others sustaining serious wounds. If not for the bravery of Guinta, the squad said the toll would have been much greater. Medic Spc. Hugo Mendoza, was hit in the leg and bled to death. Staff Sgt. Erick Gallardo was struck by a round in the helmet and knocked down, but survived. Ahead was Spc. Franklin Eckrode, seriously wounded with a jammed machine gun. Guinta and two others ran to help Eckrode, but Guinta kept going. He had seen two Taliban fighters dragging Sgt. Joshua Brennan (who as the leader, had taken the worst of the attack- shot in the jaw, the back and several other places) over the ridgeline and he ran after them. Guinta tossed his last grenade and emptyed his magazine, killing one of the men and chasing off the other.He stayed with his mortally wounded Sgt. until help arrived. Staff Sgt. Giunta entered the Army at 18 and is now based with Battle Company, 2nd Battalion, 503 Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in Vicenza, Italy. The following are words from Guinta.
"It was one of the worst days of my life, and when I revisit it, it kind of guts me a little bit more every time."
"Everything slowed down and I did everything I thought I could do, nothing more and nothing less."
""I did what I did because that's what I was trained to do."
"I entered the Army when I was 18, and I'm 25 now. I became a man in the Army."
"That night I learned a lot - and after that night I learned even more. This respect that people are giving me? This was one moment. In my battalion, I am mediocre at best. This shows how great the rest of them are."
President Obama said, "His courage and leadership while under extreme enemy fire were integral to his platoon's ability (to) defeat an enemy ambush and recover a fellow American paratrooper from enemy hands," and will award Staff Sgt. Guinta the Medal of Honor. Author Sebastian Junger detailed the 2007 ambush in his book, War.
We sleep safe because of soldiers like Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta. I praise God for all our troops and thank them for their service.
HOOAH
http://www.bornfreetravel.com/2010/09/13/medal-of-honor-awarded-to-staff-sgt-salvatore-giunta-first-living-recipient-since-vietnam.html
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
The American with George Clooney
The film critic Clint O'Connor recently wrote a review on this action packed thriller. Of course, I am partial to George and was interested in what Clint had to say. His take is that this suspenseful ride just keeps getting better and better, and suggests you not come late. There is a tone and mix of styles. It is a throwback of the 70's thrillers with the likes of Clint Eastwood and Steve McQueen, that delve into the intrigue of espionage. There is the expected, guns, beautiful women, gorgeous settings, all wrapped in mystery. "The American" is the character of Jack, as he runs from the trouble in Sweden to a small Italian village to hide out as a photographer. We know nothing of his background other than he is a pretty good assassin. He works for one group, while the opposing group sends someone after Jack. So, instead of the hunter, he becomes the hunted. He then gets an assignment to help a female counterpart, falls under the charms of a call girl and has conversations with a local priest. The "American" is directed by the great Anton Corbijn, who takes great care in his characters as well as the landscape. He shows the contrast from the stark cold and whiteness of Sweden to the warm, rich colors and coziness of Castel del Monte. Clint O'Connor completes his review with this quote, "It's such a pleasure to be in the capable hands of pros like Corbijn and Clooney, The style and cleverness they bring to "The American" are rarely glimpsed these days." www.bornfreetravel.com
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)