Posted on 08/06/2006 6:07:13 PM PDT by The Mayor
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T.G.I.F. at the Finest |
Every Thursday at the Finest  |
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His desert utilities shredded by shrapnel and streaked with his own blood and that of his fellow Marines, Cpl. Robert J. Mitchell Jr. limped out of the cement block house in downtown Fallujah, Iraq, and into the annals of Marine Corps history.
The day was Nov. 13, 2004, and according to the Marine Corps’ official account of the fierce, close quarters battle, Mitchell ignored his own wounds and repeatedly braved enemy fire to administer first aid to and evacuate other Marines wounded in the fight.
Nearly two years after that fateful day, in a solemn ceremony here, Mitchell received the Navy Cross from Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler, Commanding General of I Marine Expeditionary Force. The Navy Cross is the nation’s second-highest award for battlefield heroism.
Good eveing Mayor.....such a wonderful list of some of our Military's finest!
Amen, Thank you Dubya.
God Bless these guys. The untold Valor and committment to helping fellow man is awesome.
Yes it is, it grows bigger all the time. We just went thru it and removed some that have made it home safely.
Still lurking here at the finest. Am posting to tell you all that my son is on his way to Iraq right now. We went to see him a couple of weeks ago in Hawaii. Had our tearful farewells then. I'm so proud of him! The mom in me is scared to death. I'll rely on my FRiends for prayers to help him and his "brothers" do their best! God bless them all!
Do we have you on that list, you and your Son.
He and you will be in our Prayers daily
Yes, we're on the list. Thank you so much!
Military Monday Bump!
Thanks for all you do to support our Troops!!
I thought so, just making sure..
My Heartfelt Prayers and Thanks to you and your Son.
God Bless you both.
Thank you MoJo for all you do and all your hard work at the Canteen.
It's teamwork just like the Finest.
Speaking of which, MRS.NOOSEMAN CHECK IN!!!
Praying for you and your son.
Here come the tears again! The finest is the best! Thanks for making this night a little easier for me!
"I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS,
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL."
The American's Creed
I BELIEVE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS A GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE; WHOSE JUST POWERS ARE DERIVED FROM THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED; A DEMOCRACY IN A REPUBLIC, A SOVEREIGN NATION OF MANY SOVEREIGN STATES; A PERFECT UNION, ONE AND INSEPARABLE; ESTABLISHED UPON THOSE PRINCIPLES OF FREEDOM, EQUALITY, JUSTICE, AND HUMANITY FOR WHICH AMERICAN PATRIOTS SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES AND FORTUNES.
I THEREFORE BELIEVE IT IS MY DUTY TO MY COUNTRY TO LOVE IT, TO SUPPORT ITS CONSTITUTION; TO OBEY ITS LAWS; TO RESPECT ITS FLAG; AND TO DEFEND IT AGAINST ALL ENEMIES.
The Creed was written in 1918 by William Tyler Page of Friendship Heights, Maryland in the course of a nationwide contest on the subject. Page was a descendent of President Tyler, and Representative John Page, who served in the Congress from 1789-97.
William Tyler Page began his government career as a Congressional page in December of 1881. In 1919, he was elected Clerk of the House of Representatives, and held that position until December of 1931. a new post, Emeritus Minority Clerk, was then created for him which he occupied until his death on October 20, 1942.
AMERICAN WAR MOTHERS FLAG
The American War Mothers is a national organization chartered by Congress with its headquarters in Washington, DC. Its members are mothers whose sons and daughters have served or who are serving in the Armed Forces. Its objective is to aid the serviceman or veteran and his family, including those who are hospitalized.
According to records in the Office of the Architect of the U.S. Capitol, the American War Mothers flag was purchased by them and first flown over the U.S. Capitol, always below the American flag, on Armistice Day, November 11, 1926.
The authority for flying that flag over the U.S. Capitol on this occasion and in subsequent years has been granted annually by written permission of the Vice President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Provision for the ceremony was further recognized when the flagpole on the east front, after the extension of 1960, was installed with two halyards.
Traditionally the flag has been raised at 11 minutes after 11 a.m. by a detail from the Capitol Police . The flag flies until sundown, although originally it flew only for three hours. A bugler selected from one of the armed services plays taps. Brief memorial services are held in connection with the ceremony. These services have been accommodated on the east and west front steps or in Statuary Hall and permission to hold them is generally granted in the same letter that permits the flag to be flown.
The act of July 1, 1882, regulating the use of the Capitol Grounds vests the Vice President and the Speaker with the authority to grant this privilege.
The American War Mothers flag is kept in a safe at the U.S. Capitol. The present flag, first used in 1970, replaced the original woolen flag of 1926. It is of a synthetic fabric, 47 x 72 inches in size, consisting of a white field with a red border 11 inches wide. At the top is an 11-inch blue star for the 4,695,039 who served in World War I. These figures are 2 1/2 inches in blue. Across the center in 4-inch letters are the words "United States Service Flag." Below is an 11-inch gold star for the 60,672 who gave their lives. These figures are 21/2 inches high in gold.
Awesome picture.
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