Happy Veterans Day

[Jobu88]

SFC Paul Smith, US Army. PFC Ross McGinnis, US Army. CPL Jason Dunham, USMC. MA2 Michael Monsoor, US Navy. LT Michael Murphy, USN. SFC Jared Monti, US Army. Who are these six Americans?

They have all been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan. All six awards were posthumous, as are most Medal of Honor awards. Three men -- McGinnis, Dunham, and Monsoor--threw themselves on enemy hand grenades to protect the lives of their fellow soldiers. All three were under age 25. PFC Ross McGinnis was 19.

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

Thanks to all those who have worn the uniform of this great nation. Happy Veterans Day!