Army Ranger Josh Hargis' 'salute seen around the world' ... this is what a hero looks like

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48NyVnV8CC0u0LzITc8LqOBdfYngQr5W9rKkjAW4NDp5pZ27DglXGDRLmlAMpG1aTCcZq3pOT2Ie3tpySQ3UE-bnbWPL_W_4osWXh14YLZlcgBHKWcL-9rZ-T6VM9YCdJELM_I1yX6ztB/s1600/Army+Ranger+Josh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48NyVnV8CC0u0LzITc8LqOBdfYngQr5W9rKkjAW4NDp5pZ27DglXGDRLmlAMpG1aTCcZq3pOT2Ie3tpySQ3UE-bnbWPL_W_4osWXh14YLZlcgBHKWcL-9rZ-T6VM9YCdJELM_I1yX6ztB/s400/Army+Ranger+Josh.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This is a photo taken by Josh Hargis' wife, originally published in the <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20131015/NEWS/310150099/Cincinnati-soldier-delivers-salute-seen-around-world-?nclick_check=1">Cincinnati Enquirer</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Army Ranger Josh Hargis was severely wounded by multiple IUDs during a mission in Afghanistan. During the ceremony to award him the Purple Heart prior to his medevac to Germany, though medical staff said he was unconscious, Ranger Hargis rendered honors to his Commander as the citation was read. A GENUINE AMERICAN HERO.<br /><blockquote>... as the Purple Heart presentation began, Josh Hargis struggled to move his right hand and lift it into a saluting position. Military protocol calls for a soldier to salute when he receives the Purple Heart.</blockquote>Freedom is not free....<br /><br />USA Today: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/15/salute-seen-around-world/2988755/">Soldier delivers 'salute seen around the world'</a><br /><br /><i>H/T to Bill Janis </i>

Afghanistan American heroes Army Ranger freedom isn't free Operation Enduring Freedom support our troops U.S. Army Army Ranger Josh Hargis' 'salute seen around the world' ... this is what a hero looks like

  This is a photo taken by Josh Hargis' wife, originally published in the Cincinnati Enquirer Army Ranger Josh Hargis was severely wound...

Read more »

Heroes still: WW II vets push aside shutdown barriers to enter WW II memorial

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVjHnaTlDi0p2e3p3ho8t0vLPU24hm9vo0bvfotVwQWmiQznSrgKvfZ_fSxnPZsHevxeXdqenU3rrvYOi2LMSjuojlBWkzi7-MmPRw5ocXBBkWrNbkYD5cMcTyvDegX2AOG0f2DANfL1J/s1600/World+War+II+memorial+DC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVjHnaTlDi0p2e3p3ho8t0vLPU24hm9vo0bvfotVwQWmiQznSrgKvfZ_fSxnPZsHevxeXdqenU3rrvYOi2LMSjuojlBWkzi7-MmPRw5ocXBBkWrNbkYD5cMcTyvDegX2AOG0f2DANfL1J/s320/World+War+II+memorial+DC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />They fought for their country at a time when the world was in tumult, and are now in the twilight years of their lives. On Tuesday, when the U.S. Government shut down, 72 World War II veterans from Mississippi <a href="http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/witness-mississippi-congressman-opened-the-barricade-to-closed-wwii-memorial">were scheduled to visit the World War II memorial</a> in Washington, D.C.<br /><br />Because government was shut down, the memorials were closed at a time when the gentlemen were there to visit, possibly the only chance in their lifetimes.<br /><br />And so they visited anyway. In news that flew around the internet on Monday, the veterans pushed through barriers that were then set aside to allow 80 elderly veterans in wheelchairs to see the memorial erected in their honor by the people of America.<br /><br />They ignored park police, pushed aside the barriers, and wheeled in anyway, these Honor Flight vets. <a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/wwii-veterans-storm-dc-memorial-closed-by-government-shutdown-1.244447"><i>Stars and Stripes</i></a> reported one veteran's response:<br /><blockquote>“We didn’t come this far not to get in,” one veteran proclaimed.<br /><br />The scene was both emotional and comical at once. After it was clear they had lost control of the situation, Park Police officials stood aside, telling press that they had “asked for guidance on how to respond” to the breach of security.<br /><br />As 80-something veterans slowly walked around the massive war memorial, Park Police stood quietly to the side, advising other tourists that the site was technically still closed. But they made no moves to stop the wishes of the war heroes.</blockquote>It was the right thing to do.<br /><br />Now let's end this government shutdown.

American heroes government shutdown Stars and Stripes veterans World War II memorial Heroes still: WW II vets push aside shutdown barriers to enter WW II memorial

They fought for their country at a time when the world was in tumult, and are now in the twilight years of their lives. On Tuesday, when the...

Read more »