Wednesday Hero

Spc. Ross McGinnis 19 years old from Knox, Pennsylvania 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment June 14, 1987 - December 4, 2006       For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an M2 .50-caliber Machine Gunner, 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Adhamiyah, Northeast Baghdad, Iraq, on 4 December 2006.      That afternoon his platoon was conducting combat control operations in an effort to reduce and control sectarian violence in the area. While Private McGinnis was manning the M2 .50-caliber Machine Gun, a fragmentation grenade thrown by an insurgent fell through the gunner's hatch into the vehicle. Reacting quickly, he yelled "grenade," allowing all four members of his crew to prepare for the grenade's blast. Then, rather than leaping from the gunner's hatch to safety, Private McGinnis made the courageous decision to protect his crew. In a selfless act of bravery, in which he was mortally wounded, Private McGinnis covered the live grenade, pinning it between his body and the vehicle and absorbing most of the explosion.       Private McGinnis' gallant action directly saved four men from certain serious injury or death. Private First Class McGinnis' extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.       You can read more about Spc. McGinnis here These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero. Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

 

Lest We Forget: Falkland Islands

I have written many times here about the Falkland Islands - those islands which belong to England, MY England..  To access those columns, just put "Falkland Island"  in the search thingie ...

Today? On this day in 1982 a ceasefire was declared..

British Heroes honoured for their courage

From the Daily Express:

Queen marks courage of Afghanistan heroes

THE courage of Britain’s forces was honoured by the Queen yesterday at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

By: John Ingham

Published: Fri, June 14, 2013

Lance Corporal Lawrence Kayser said he was overwhelmed to receive the Military Cross

Lance Corporal Lawrence Kayser, 27, who single-handedly fought off enemy fighters in Afghanistan, said he was overwhelmed to receive the Military Cross and wanted to dedicate it to his whole battalion.

L/Cpl Kayser, of Mill Hill, north London, was one of four serving soldiers from The 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment who were recognised for their bravery. A fifth award was made posthumously.

Corporal Alexander Guy, 37, was killed going to the aid of Afghan soldiers ambushed in Helmand province in June last year.

His wife Emma received the Military Cross on his behalf, accompanied by his parents Aileen and Andrew and an uncle, Alec Wilson.

“We are so proud of Alex today and we’ve had wonderful support from the regiment,” they said.

Cpl Guy, from St Neots, Cambridgeshire, had been in the Army for 19 years, serving on eight tours of duty....

Go read more on the bravery of Fallen Hero Corporal Guy and his brothers in arms, here. 

Flag Day: Fly Your Flag, America

Interesting details on a site dedicated to Iwo Jimo. Did you know that this flag raised in the iconic picture was the second flag to be raised there? I did not, but I learned that - and a whole bunch of other fascinating stuff - here. Go read, and learn. For a history of Flag Day go here.




(H/T Diane)


Because it IS Flag Day, what other video could I share, but this one, which is one of my favourite Johnny Cash.



FLY your flag, America!

Wednesday Hero

This Post Was Suggested By Michael

 
GySgt. John Basilone 21 years old from Raritan, New Jersey Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division November 4, 1916 - February 19, 1945     For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Lunga Area, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. Basilone, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault.      In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. Basilone's sections, with its gun crews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. Moving an extra gun into position, he placed it in action, then, under continual fire, repaired another and personally manned it, gallantly holding his line until replacements arrived. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. Basilone, at great risk of his life and in the face of continued enemy attack, battled his way through hostile lines with urgently needed shells for his gunners, thereby contributing in large measure to the virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment.    His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. GySgt. Basilone was killed helping to guide a tank to safety that was trapped in a mine field under heavy mortar and artillery barrages during the invasion of Iwo Jima.     You can read more about GySgt. Basilone and his amazing bravery here These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.  

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

 

TSA and knives on board

In case you missed this reversal, from the BBC comes this on passengers being allowed - once again -  to take knives on board US flights:

5 June 2013

TSA cancels proposal to allow knives on planes

 

Knives have not been allowed in the cabin since 9/11 - and these types would have remained banned

The US transport safety authority has cancelled a plan to allow some small pocket knives aboard US flights for the first time since the 9/11 attacks.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) chief John Pistole said the move came in response to resistance from flight attendants and the public.


He had said the change would allow screeners to focus on other threats.


The 9/11 hijackers used small knives to attack crew members and gain control of the planes.
"After extensive engagement with the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, law enforcement officials, passenger advocates, and other important stakeholders, TSA will continue to enforce the current prohibited items list," Mr Pistole said.


He initially proposed allowing passengers to bring blades shorter than 2.36in (6cm) and narrower than 0.5in into plane cabins.


Also under the proposed changes, billiard cues, ski poles, and lacrosse and hockey sticks would have been allowed in the flight cabins in carry-on luggage....

There is more here.

UPDATE on NYS World Trade Center Volunteer Fund

The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board, which administers the World Trade Center (WTC) Volunteer Fund, announced last week that it was moving to shift the management of the fund to a Third Party Administrator, the Triad Group, effective June 24.


According to the Workers Compensation Board, the Triad Group will assume responsibility for managing claims only after the Board determines the claimant is eligible for the Fund.  Per the Workers Compensation Board’s release, The Triad Group has designated a WTC administrator, Gretchen Finch, to address any issues that arise during the transition. She will serve as the claimants’ and providers’ first point of contact for all claim administration issues.  She can be reached via email at gfi...@triadgate.com and/or by phone at 1-800-337-7419 extension 112.


The Volunteer Fund was created in 2002 with 50 million dollars in funding from the Federal Government to provide workers' compensation benefits (medical and lost time) for volunteers who assisted with World Trade Center (WTC) rescue, recovery and clean up. While unpaid volunteers are normally ineligible for workers' compensation benefits, the NY Workers' Compensation Law was amended to provide for volunteers who participated in WTC efforts.  It has provided 407 volunteers with benefits.


Of the original funding of 50 million dollars, over 18 million dollars remain.


For more information, go to the NYS Worker's Compensation Board website.



Ben Chevat
Executive Director
9/11 Health Watch