I haven’t been able to get this up on here until tonight, and it was important to me that I get this up, even if it’s “old news” to some of you.  It’s never, ever old news when one of our warrior Corps receives the Medal of Honor.

It is an occasion meant for silent reverence and grateful contemplation.  It is a time for a smile, because even in a world of selfishness and corruption and amorality, there are still men who qualify for the title of “hero.”  Not the watered-down, sports-player version, not the showboating, mouthy version.  The kind who walk the walk, even when that walk means the end of earthly existence.  The kind who see past the moment to the future, who are willing to add their blood to the road paved in sacrifice and loss just so others may travel it in safety.

The first Marine of the “Long War” (as they’re calling it now) to be awarded the Medal of Honor is CPL Jason Dunham, who would have been 25 on November 10th, the Marine Corps’ 231st anniversary and the day of Bush’s announcement.

Jason Dunham will never see the age of 30.  He will never hold his grandchildren.  He will never again know the smell of summer rain, never again laugh at a joke, never again hold a loved one.

But because Jason decided, in a split second, to use his body as a shield against an explosive, two other Marines will.

Because Jason made the choice to offer himself up in that fraction of time, two other men are alive and continue to serve our nation.

Because Jason died, we remain free for a little longer.

There is nothing more to be said.

Semper fi, Jason.  And thank you.

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Tune in to The Furious Truth with Kit Jarrell, back on live on November 29th with special guests!  Don’t miss it!

Kit Jarrell blogs at Euphoric Reality.