http://www.legion.org/onlineupdate/2476/heroes-honored-legion-hosted-inaugural-ball
Heroes honored at Legion-hosted inaugural ball
Submitted by hsoria on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 1:21pm.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
One by one, they passed through magnetometers, often setting off shrill tones and red blinking lights: tuxedo-clad American heroes adorned with medals, some with metal inside their bodies, holding together bones shattered decades ago in combat.
Vietnam War veteran Bernard Fisher (pictured on front page), was one of
47 Medal of Honor recipients who attended the Salute to Heroes Veterans Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C., enduring the security check with patience and grace. After all, as gantlets go, magnetometers and portable wands were a breeze compared to the withering enemy fire he dodged more than four decades ago.
Fisher, a former U.S. Air Force major in the 1st Air Commandos, flew out of Pleiku, Vietnam, on March 10, 1966. That day, the Special Forces camp at A Shau was under attack by 2,000 North Vietnamese Army regulars. Hostile troops had positioned themselves between the airstrip and the camp. Other hostile troops had surrounded the camp and were continuously raking it with automatic weapons fire from the surrounding hills. The tops of the 1,500-foot hills were obscured by an 800-foot ceiling, limiting aircraft maneuverability and forcing pilots to operate within range of hostile gun positions.
During the battle, Fisher observed a fellow airman crash land on the battle-torn airstrip. Believing the downed pilot was seriously injured and in imminent danger of capture, Fisher decided to land on the airstrip and attempt a rescue. Directing his own air cover, he landed and taxied almost the full length of the runway, which was littered with battle debris and parts of an exploded aircraft. Raked by heavy ground fire (19 bullets struck the plane), Fisher got the downed pilot on board and managed to take off again.
Fisher is one of 98 living Medal of Honor recipients. One World War II recipient, James E. Swett, planned to attend this year, but died two days before the ball, on Jan. 18. His memory was honored by the 47 heroes in attendance, recalling the courage of a man who succumbed to time, not enemy gunfire.
Swett received his medal as division leader of Marine Fighting Squadron 221, in action April 7, 1943, against Japanese air forces in the Solomon Islands. Swett hurled his flight of four F4F Wildcat fighters into action against a large formation of enemy dive-bombers, destroying three of them. Later in the same assault, he attacked six enemy bombers and shot down four. Swett was credited with 15.5 "kills" in the war, earning eight Distinguished Flying Crosses and four Air Medals along the way.
Differences in age, education and race vanished among the elite group of warriors who mixed and mingled, greeting fellow recipients with a nod, grin and often a hug. Stories filled the banquet hall - not of courageous deeds under dire circumstances, but about the whereabouts of comrades, the loss of a spouse or the latest news of a great-granddaughter, or how proud they were of a grandson who recently earned a Bronze Star in Afghanistan. It was a rare gathering of elders, and their words resonated across the ballroom.
Every four years, The American Legion recognizes Medal of Honor recipients, and the incoming commander in chief, by sponsoring the Salute to Heroes Ball. Although President Obama could not attend the event, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, dropped by to express the nation's gratitude for the sacrifices and heroism of these 47 veterans, and for all veterans and servicemembers. The tradition started in 1953, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie attended the first Salute to Heroes, while U.S. troops fought in Korea.
"It's a testament to the American spirit that ordinary men and women are able to perform extraordinary acts when it is necessary, even at the risk of their own lives," American Legion National Commander David K. Rehbein said to the Medal of Honor recipients. "A nation can never be too grateful when it comes to the selfless and oftentimes courageous acts performed under the most dangerous and difficult circumstances. I thank you. Everyone in this room thanks you. And your country thanks you for your service and sacrifice."
Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, had similar words of gratitude. He told his fellow veterans that he, too, had a medal.
"My Presidential Medal of Freedom was a medal I received for simply going someplace and returning," Aldrin said. "I join all Americans in thanking each and every one of you here tonight for your service to our country and to your fellow citizens."
A group of servicemembers injured during operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom were also among the guests.
The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military award. Established during the Civil War, nearly 3,500 have been awarded. For a list of MOH recipients and to read their citations, visit the Medal of Honor Web site.
over a guy that they know nothing about. So far, they've pulled a piece off of politico that I can't currently back-up by any quick google searches but they are taking it as the gospel truth. (Actually, reading some of the intro, I thought that I was reading Obamas biography; except they replaced Obamas name with Michael Steels) then it gets into hard core social conservative issues that liberals hate.
I'm just saying ... I'm reading an outcry from various blogs and comment posts to stories from black liberal's that are jumping up and stating that Steele doesn't represent them and that the GOP only elected him because the Democrats elected Obama - a black man. Some of the white liberals are crying out the same thing. (about the reason Steele was elected - not about Steele representing them) I'm only reporting what I'm reading. 
