Wonderful words left to us by the great American..John F. Kennedy
Those of you who have often visited this site know of my passion for the Canadians, and also those connected to Canada in one way or another, who joined up with the US military and during their careers was awarded the Medal of Honor.
The pride I take in bringing you these stories also requires I constantly search for, and share news regarding any of these heroes in this space. Over the past year or more I have expanded to bring you also many a story about our Victoria Cross recipients. Updates for them have also been brought forth.
Not long ago I brought you some information about a Medal of Honor and other medals that were apparently stolen in Ontario and how the provincial police are investigating that matter. Press releases originally claimed the MOH was from WWll and earned for actions in France.
The story of course was of interest to me as very few MOH's from that war came to Canada. I was obviously most interested about the original recipient, his battle and connection to Canada.
This week, after a long wait, I learned that the medal of interest was in fact NOT a US Medal of Honor. What it actually was, was not shared though I have been told the owner of the medals has... or is being helped to get replacements issued by the government. The best news, yet to come, is who stole the items and what is being done to help that person remember those who fought for him or her in a way more acceptable to society.
On another front, news has been shared with me, and much more is hopefully coming my way and will appear in this space about a true Medal of Honor recipient from Civil War days. A man also from Ontario. Stayed tuned as that unfolds.
On still another front, regular readers know that I am constantly pushing for more recognition of our brave heroes of days gone by. Them and also those who today choose to wear the dog tags... instead of the capes or yesteryear that told us of their hero status. Ever one of these men and women are heroes...always have... and always will be heroes.
Having said that, I cannot help but note the rampant use of news headlines telling us about 14 of the Medal of Honor men and their support of one of the presidential candidates. The press is gaga over the fact that these men have stepped forward to vote, and shown their flavor of politician.
But let's reflect for a moment that beyond the 14 supporters, we hear nothing of the other 63 recipients still alive today. Same goes for the 88 Generals and Admirals that have stepped up to the same podium, Sounds like a lot till you do some research and discover that there are over 4,800 serving and retired Generals and Admirals that are probably of voting age in the USA.
I am chagrined to not be able to find any in the MOH world that...like myself, have a concern when I read a headline about a MOH recipient giving his support. Not that he so votes, but that his name is not in the headline. Just the mention of the medal. The medal sells! Why doesn't the name? Is the use of the medal clearly the focus, and is that what a medal stands for today? Some need to give serious thought about this, and come forward with their views.
I just did !
And finally today, each of you can honour our MOH and VC men by googling the following names and reading the stories of these heroes. After you read them, please pass them on to others. Each was either born or died, was gazetted or awarded by General Order, or fought the action that resulted in their medal on the date in September beside each name. These dates just cover the later part of the month.
Medal of Honors... Philip Moore 21, Ken Kays 22, Douglas Munro 27, Austin Denham 29, and John Chapman 30.
Victoria Crosses... Charles Train 21, Fred Hobson and Arthur Richardson 23, James Tait and John Croak 24, Alexander Brereton, Jean Brillant, Fred Coppins, Sam Honey, George Kerr, Herman Good, Graham Lyall, Cy Peck and Raphel Zengel, 27, Milton Gregg, and Fred Hall 28, John McGregor and Michael O'Leary 29, and finally Sam Honey again on the 30th.
This homework should keep you going till next Sunday.
Bart
Comments always welcome...
Those of you who have often visited this site know of my passion for the Canadians, and also those connected to Canada in one way or another, who joined up with the US military and during their careers was awarded the Medal of Honor.
The pride I take in bringing you these stories also requires I constantly search for, and share news regarding any of these heroes in this space. Over the past year or more I have expanded to bring you also many a story about our Victoria Cross recipients. Updates for them have also been brought forth.
Not long ago I brought you some information about a Medal of Honor and other medals that were apparently stolen in Ontario and how the provincial police are investigating that matter. Press releases originally claimed the MOH was from WWll and earned for actions in France.
The story of course was of interest to me as very few MOH's from that war came to Canada. I was obviously most interested about the original recipient, his battle and connection to Canada.
This week, after a long wait, I learned that the medal of interest was in fact NOT a US Medal of Honor. What it actually was, was not shared though I have been told the owner of the medals has... or is being helped to get replacements issued by the government. The best news, yet to come, is who stole the items and what is being done to help that person remember those who fought for him or her in a way more acceptable to society.
On another front, news has been shared with me, and much more is hopefully coming my way and will appear in this space about a true Medal of Honor recipient from Civil War days. A man also from Ontario. Stayed tuned as that unfolds.
On still another front, regular readers know that I am constantly pushing for more recognition of our brave heroes of days gone by. Them and also those who today choose to wear the dog tags... instead of the capes or yesteryear that told us of their hero status. Ever one of these men and women are heroes...always have... and always will be heroes.
Having said that, I cannot help but note the rampant use of news headlines telling us about 14 of the Medal of Honor men and their support of one of the presidential candidates. The press is gaga over the fact that these men have stepped forward to vote, and shown their flavor of politician.
But let's reflect for a moment that beyond the 14 supporters, we hear nothing of the other 63 recipients still alive today. Same goes for the 88 Generals and Admirals that have stepped up to the same podium, Sounds like a lot till you do some research and discover that there are over 4,800 serving and retired Generals and Admirals that are probably of voting age in the USA.
I am chagrined to not be able to find any in the MOH world that...like myself, have a concern when I read a headline about a MOH recipient giving his support. Not that he so votes, but that his name is not in the headline. Just the mention of the medal. The medal sells! Why doesn't the name? Is the use of the medal clearly the focus, and is that what a medal stands for today? Some need to give serious thought about this, and come forward with their views.
I just did !
And finally today, each of you can honour our MOH and VC men by googling the following names and reading the stories of these heroes. After you read them, please pass them on to others. Each was either born or died, was gazetted or awarded by General Order, or fought the action that resulted in their medal on the date in September beside each name. These dates just cover the later part of the month.
Medal of Honors... Philip Moore 21, Ken Kays 22, Douglas Munro 27, Austin Denham 29, and John Chapman 30.
Victoria Crosses... Charles Train 21, Fred Hobson and Arthur Richardson 23, James Tait and John Croak 24, Alexander Brereton, Jean Brillant, Fred Coppins, Sam Honey, George Kerr, Herman Good, Graham Lyall, Cy Peck and Raphel Zengel, 27, Milton Gregg, and Fred Hall 28, John McGregor and Michael O'Leary 29, and finally Sam Honey again on the 30th.
This homework should keep you going till next Sunday.
Bart
Comments always welcome...
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