Regular readers of these blogs know that I like to not only bring you stories of Canadian Medal of Honor recipients, but also stories about our Victoria Cross heroes as well. Sometimes I also go off on other mission to bring miltary stories that I believe are of sigficance to this site.
I also spend considerable time trying to keep up with any news or updates that I think you should be aware of regarding these Canadian and US heroes. Often what appears here, is little covered...if at all by the Canadian media. This is most unfortunate and sad.
It is now about 2 years ago that I first learned of a plan in the US to honour all the then living Medal of Honor men with a special memorial at the famous town of Gettysburg, Pa. The site chosen was most significant. The timing was also important because most of the then living Medal of Honor recipients, members all, of the very prestigious Congressional Medal of Honor Society, would be at Gettysburg for their annual several day convention. One of the numerous public events was the unveiling of the above mentioned monument.
I also spend considerable time trying to keep up with any news or updates that I think you should be aware of regarding these Canadian and US heroes. Often what appears here, is little covered...if at all by the Canadian media. This is most unfortunate and sad.
It is now about 2 years ago that I first learned of a plan in the US to honour all the then living Medal of Honor men with a special memorial at the famous town of Gettysburg, Pa. The site chosen was most significant. The timing was also important because most of the then living Medal of Honor recipients, members all, of the very prestigious Congressional Medal of Honor Society, would be at Gettysburg for their annual several day convention. One of the numerous public events was the unveiling of the above mentioned monument.
The town memorial to be built consisted of a series of bricks inscribed with the names of about 80 MOH recipients that were still alive. The "Main Street Gettysburg" organization, who were planning the memorial sought public donations for the work and bricks were sold to help with costs. I donated the funds for the brick inscribed with the name of Toronto born Peter Lemon. I'm told this donation was the only one from Canada.
I then decided that I would actually go to Gettysburg for the unveiling and even attend several of the public functions hosted by the Medal of Honor men. Back then I brought you about 20 daily blogs from the field about my trip to Pa. I also told of my continuing on to DC, a visit to the Canadian Embassy, Arlington, the Pentagon and the National Archives. These were published in September and Oct of 2013 and can still be found on this site.
(The above three images are of the current Navy, Marine and Coast Guard Medal of Honor, the Air Force MOH and at the bottom, the Army MOH.)
I then decided that I would actually go to Gettysburg for the unveiling and even attend several of the public functions hosted by the Medal of Honor men. Back then I brought you about 20 daily blogs from the field about my trip to Pa. I also told of my continuing on to DC, a visit to the Canadian Embassy, Arlington, the Pentagon and the National Archives. These were published in September and Oct of 2013 and can still be found on this site.
(The above three images are of the current Navy, Marine and Coast Guard Medal of Honor, the Air Force MOH and at the bottom, the Army MOH.)
The picture at the left is of the entrance to the 1860's Wills home at Gettysburg, (now a museum). It is here that President Lincoln (and a future Canadian Father of Confederation) spent the night before riding out to the cemetery, and the giving of the famous Gettysburg Address. Next, standing in front of the bench are Deb Adams, President, and Pat Bucker, Operations Manager of the "Main Street Gettysburg" folks who created the memorial. At far right is the memorial marker and below it, in the 3rd image is the dark border, and within, all the individual inscribed bricks.
These ladies unveiled the memorial for the first time to anyone not having a role in its building, when they showed it to me hours before the public ceremony took place. At the time they told me of a few workers that were very moved at the stories of the heroes. Some were so humbled at the chance to work on the preserving this history that they actually had tears in their eyes.
Nine MOH recipients attended the ceremony and I too was very humbled at the opportunity being given to meet and chat briefly with each man. Many of the remainder of about 45 recipients were on school duty that day. They were visiting many schools and tallking to the staff, teachers and students about the CMOH society and its role and messages it wanted to bring to the youth of the country.
These ladies unveiled the memorial for the first time to anyone not having a role in its building, when they showed it to me hours before the public ceremony took place. At the time they told me of a few workers that were very moved at the stories of the heroes. Some were so humbled at the chance to work on the preserving this history that they actually had tears in their eyes.
Nine MOH recipients attended the ceremony and I too was very humbled at the opportunity being given to meet and chat briefly with each man. Many of the remainder of about 45 recipients were on school duty that day. They were visiting many schools and tallking to the staff, teachers and students about the CMOH society and its role and messages it wanted to bring to the youth of the country.
If you have a look back at my 2013 articles you will find this picture and the identity of the nine Medal of Honor men who witrnessed the unveiling of the very bricks containg their names and others. At the right, in its lower left corner you can hopefully read the name of Peter Lemon, Canada's last living Medal of Honor recipient.
Much has been written about Peter Lemon in past blogs, searchable in this space. Here he is pictured probably at about 19 years of age, when he performed the heroic deeds that later saw him standing in front of President Nixon at the White House and receiving his Medal of Honor. Before his term of some 4 years was up he would have an impressive chest full of bravery medals.
About 2 weeks ago this teen turned 65. Happy birthday Pete!
If memory is correct, it was Vice President Chaney whom once said that.... "the Presidency and Vice-Presidency may be the highest office in the land... but there's an even greater distinction that our country bestowes... the Congressional Medal of Honor."
Despite calling it by the wrong name, his message is still very clear.
But I believe Peter Lemon needs to be remembered for far more than his incredible military heroism. More about this on Sunday.
Hope you can join me then!
Bart
About 2 weeks ago this teen turned 65. Happy birthday Pete!
If memory is correct, it was Vice President Chaney whom once said that.... "the Presidency and Vice-Presidency may be the highest office in the land... but there's an even greater distinction that our country bestowes... the Congressional Medal of Honor."
Despite calling it by the wrong name, his message is still very clear.
But I believe Peter Lemon needs to be remembered for far more than his incredible military heroism. More about this on Sunday.
Hope you can join me then!
Bart
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