Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving are festive holidays that remind us of family and faith. Memorial Day, the 4th of July and Veteran’s Day are celebrations of our past that have led to our present and give us a sense of history, pride in our country and hope for a better tomorrow.
As Memorial Day approaches and May 27th arrives, take a break from the bustle of events that kick-off the Summer season and spend some time reflecting on how this holiday came about and the sacrifices that so many have endured to make it possible.
Recently I have written stories about two Medal of Honor recipients. Their stories are inspiring, sobering and bear on the very values that make our country great. “USS MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG-112) COMES OF AGE,” is the story of a young NAVY SEAL, Lt. jg from Patchogue, L.I. and the Guided Missile Destroyer named for him. Michael perished in a fire-fight in Afghanistan when he left cover to radio for assistance as his four-man team, greatly outnumbered, fought off the enemy force. Mortally wounded his last words to the base were, “Thank You!”
The account was published, in “THE TIN CAN SAILOR,” in the April-May-June edition and used here with permission, copyright Tin Can Sailors, Inc. Michael’s Dad, Dan Murphy, sent a thank you note informing me that the article will find a home at the NAVY SEAL MUSEUM in Fort Pierce, Florida. What an honor!
Please follow the link to read about Michael and the proud ship named for him. Also included is a haunting picture that appeared on FaceBook some time ago.
The second story is about Medal of Honor recipient Captain Thomas Hudner, retired. He pancaked his Navy Corsair on snow covered mountainous terrain in a vain attempt to rescue his wing man downed in combat during an airstrike over the Chosen Reservoir during the Korean war. As Tom and a Rescue Helicopter pilot labored to free downed pilot Ensign Jesse Brown from his crumpled Corsair, Jesse’s last words to Tom Hudner were to his wife, “Tell Daisy I love her!”
Next month the story of Thomas Hudner and the USS THOMAS HUDNER (DDG- 116) now under construction at the Bath Iron Works in Bath Maine will be published in “Andover, the magazine of Phillips Academy.” I will forward it later this Summer
God Bless America! And have a wonderful holiday weekend.
Best,
George
Link to article:
Red Rider's Ramblings: Rants, reminiscences and repartee from a 91+ year-old rookie writer 