10 Silver Stars

[Jim V2]

If you've never served in combat, this is worth a read. If you have, then you already understand.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081212/ap_on_re_us/ten_silver_stars

[coolhandgopher]

Thanks for posting that Jim. As I age, I continue to understand how fortunate we are to have men and women who sacrifice to protect our freedoms, who perform their duties so bravely, even as the political motives behind them can be questioned.

I recently finished Band of Brothers (the mini-series not the book), another great example of brotherhood forged under life and death circumstances. It's incredible to consider what these young men, from that era and today's, face every time they step out to do their jobs.

[UpnorthGo4]

Why no Medal of Honors?

[Moonlight]

I recently ordered Band of Brothers as a gift - what did you think of it?

A few weeks ago I watched Frontline's piece on Afghanistan, following soldiers on patrol and was blown away by the stress level they're under and deal with on a moment to moment basis. Thankfully, our attitude and understanding and honoring of those who serve has changed since Vietnam.

[coolhandgopher]

Absolutely loved it. Gripping action, great acting, couldn't wait to watch each subsequent episode. Easy Company's story in WWII is pretty amazing from debuting the night before D-Day to enduring Bastogne (I'm sure I butchered the spelling there) to being the first Allied soldiers to enter Hitler and the surrounding top Nazi brass' homes. Incredible to consider how ordinary and normal these guys were too (I mean in their lives before and after entering the war-nothing ordinary about how they served our country).

[Moonlight]

Thanks - your positive review will influence who will receive it (ie. I'll still have access to it!)

[Jim V2]

Why no Medal of Honors?

Pretty hard to get a Gold Medal unless you give your life so that a bunch of others survive.

But as the guy said, it's not about medals. It's about love.

[GophersInIowa]

Absolutely loved it. Gripping action, great acting, couldn't wait to watch each subsequent episode. Easy Company's story in WWII is pretty amazing from debuting the night before D-Day to enduring Bastogne (I'm sure I butchered the spelling there) to being the first Allied soldiers to enter Hitler and the surrounding top Nazi brass' homes. Incredible to consider how ordinary and normal these guys were too (I mean in their lives before and after entering the war-nothing ordinary about how they served our country).

Couldn't agree more. I watched Band of Brothers when it was first airing on HBO, then bought the DVD set almost immediately after it was released. It's one of my all-time favorites.

[diehard]

I usually avoid these kind of stories. But something drew me to read this one. Reminds of the day Billy (my senior radio operator) had his leg shot off. Reminds of the day we lost a 12 man team. Reminds me of Mogadishu. Reminds me of widows with children. Freedom really isn't free. Sorry, got to go.