In one of America's most popular high school texts books today, the Disco Generation got 200 words. Steven Spielberg got more than 400 words and the topic of Nicaraugua and the Iran Contra scandal got more than a 1000 words. The American space program, one of our country's most inspiring and wonderful stories for children, got a whopping 78 words.
From the Arizona Star:
Guest Opinion: David J. McIntyre Jr.
Medal of Honor Day celebrates Americans' heroic battlefield acts
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 03.21.2007Their astonishingly heroic deeds are part of America's battlefield history, and now Congress has marked a day on the calendar to remember and celebrate our nation's Medal of Honor recipients.Congress last month resolved March 25 to be National Medal of Honor Day. That date is significant. It's the day the first Medals of Honor were awarded – six of them at once in 1863 in the middle of the Civil War.Maybe you've seen the movie "The Great Locomotive Chase" about those first recipients, members of Andrew's Raiders, and their daring foray deep into enemy territory.
The most recent Medal of Honor was presented last month to helicopter pilot Bruce Crandall, who saved countless lives by flying numerous sorties to supply surrounded troops in the first major action in Vietnam. Maybe you saw the movie, "We Were Soldiers."
There are other movies, too, and I note them because they are evidence that Medal of Honor recipients are a visible and vital part of America's social fabric. These men — and one woman — epitomize the values of patriotism, selflessness, devotion to duty, and humility.
I'm privileged to know a number of Medal of Honor recipients, and I can tell you they're ordinary Joes who displayed extraordinary courage in the face of very difficult circumstances — risking their lives to save others and the mission. I will again be in their company today in Washington, D.C., at a ceremony to celebrate Congress' resolution.
From around the country, more than 30 of the 112 surviving Medal of Honor recipients gathered to share the experience and remember and honor their brethren who did not survive the battle.It's inspiring and humbling to be in the presence of some of those who single-handedly charged machine gun nests, threw themselves on live grenades, fended off superior forces and thousands of other heroic acts. They risked everything, and most paid that ultimate price so others might live.Their value on the battlefield is evident, and their example to all of us is crucial.
As the young often search for heroes and role models in rock stars, sports stars and movie stars, they confuse stardom with heroism. They might miss the true nature and meaning of heroism. A primary focus of the Medal of Honor Society and its supporting Foundation is to show them the face of real courage and the values that build it.
Those values are not bounded by age or race or religion. In the present conflicts, the courage of our young defenders is displayed daily. And our nation recently has honored two of them posthumously with its highest award for valor in the face of the enemy.
For all of them, those to follow, and all of those who wear the cloth of this nation, join me in marking this first Medal of Honor Day.David J. McIntyre Jr. is president and CEO of Phoenix-based TriWest Healthcare Alliance, a company that provides access to health care for military families. For more information about the Medal of Honor, go to www.cmohs.org.
To find out more about National Medal of Honday Day click here
From the Crossville Chronicle:
Adam Worthington, a senior at Cumberland County High School, was the recipient of the DAR Good Citizen Award for 2006-2007 at the March meeting of the Crab-Orchard Chapter DAR. Ruby Pruett, chairman of the Good Citizen Committee, presented the award certificate, the DAR Good Citizen pin, a wallet recognition card, and a check for $50 to Adam, son of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Worthington. To have been chosen for the DAR Good Citizen Award for Cumberland County High School, Adam must have demonstrated, at school and in his personal life, the qualities of dependability (which includes truthfulness, loyalty, and punctuality), service (cooperation, courtesy, and consideration of others), leadership (personality, self-control, and ability to assume responsibility) and patriotism (unselfish interest in family, school, community and nation) to an outstanding degree. Academically, Adam has received the Star Reader Award, the ACE Award, and was Student of the Month twice. Adam also enjoys baseball, chess, and playing the guitar and is a crew leader at Sonic Drive-In. Adam stated in his application for the DAR Good Citizen Scholarship Contest that he "honors his parents and serves his fellow man by putting God first in his life."....
Read more at: Crossville Chronicle, Crossville, TN - Worthington recognized for his good citizenship.
Nominations sought for NY history teacher of the year
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is seeking nominations for the annual New York History Teacher of the Year Award.
The award began in 2004 and is designed to promote and celebrate the teaching of American History in classrooms. One teacher is honored from each state and U.S. territory. This year will honor kindergarten through sixth grade teachers.
Selection is based on several criteria: experience in teaching American history for at least three years, a deep career commitment to teaching American history, evidence of creativity and imagination in the classroom and close attention to documents, artifacts, historic sites and other primary materials of history.
Each state winner will receive a $1,000 honorarium and will be in the running for the National History Teacher of the Year award.
Deadline for nominations is May 1, 2007. For more information, visit www.gilderlehrman.org.
From PR Newswire -
WASHINGTON, March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The Medal of Honor has no equal. Behind the Medal are common men who responded with uncommon valor when called to serve their nation in war. They are veterans who are emblematic of America's ideals of courage, sacrifice and patriotism. TriWest Healthcare Alliance brings portraits of these great men to our nation's capitol, as part of the first 'National Medal of Honor Day' celebration on March 25. The "Visions of Valor" portrait collection by photographer Nick del Cazo will be on display this week only. WHAT: "Visions of Valor" Exhibit 34 portraits of some of the nation's greatest war heroes -- recipients of the military's highest award, the Medal of Honor WHEN: March 19-23, 2007 WHERE: Russell Senate Office Building, Rotunda Constitution Avenue and C Street Learn more about Visions of Valor by visiting www.triwest.com and clicking on the "Visions of Valor" icon.
From Southern Illinois -
Patriotism abounded at the West Frankfort Board of Education meeting Monday night at Central Junior High School, as Michael “Mick” Sawalich was awarded a diploma about 61 years late. A resolution citing his decision to leave the safety of Frankfort Community High School to join the Navy during World War II, and the options now given to local boards to provide honorary diplomas to such veterans, was read by board secretary Marian Smith and unanimously approved.
“In history books, as well as best-selling non-fiction, we learn of the sacrifices made by countless citizens during that dark time in history,” commented Superintendent George Hopkins, Jr. “Mr. Sawalich was, indeed, part of that group we call the Greatest Generation, and the Board was happy to provide him with the long-overdue document.”
Read more at: Daily American News.
Good column on "The Blame-America-First Crowd" by Michael Barone on www.nationalreview.com
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