070522-N-2653P-021 GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (May 22, 2007) - Rear Admiral Mark H. Buzby renders a hand salute during a change of command ceremony on board Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. Rear. Adm. Buzby relieved Rear Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., during a ceremony presided by Commander, United States Southern Command, Adm. James Stavridis. JTF-Guantanamo conducts safe and humane care and custody of detained enemy combatants. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist James G. Pinsky (RELEASED)
070516-N-9520G-005 YOKOSUKA, Japan (May 16, 2007) - Cryptologic Technician 1st Class Robert Bonte, Quartermaster 3rd Class Mike Thoumire and Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Timothy Green heave on a anchor chain that will be used for a towing exercise aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardelito Gervacio (RELEASED)
070521-N-0483B-002 YOKOSUKA, Japan (May 21, 2007) - A Sailor aboard Pearl Harbor-based guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) tosses a line to another Sailor on the pier at Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka. Lake Erie is visiting Yokosuka as part of a scheduled port visit. U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kari R. Bergman (RELEASED)
070520-N-9928E-003 ARABIAN SEA (May 20, 2007) - Aviation Boatswain's Mate Airman Jason Skonieczny plots aircraft movements on the "Ouija" board in hangar deck control aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). The Ouija board is used to keep track of aircraft positions and movement in the hangar bay. John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations (MSO). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Josue Leopoldo Escobosa (RELEASED)
With honor
New Medal of Honor Museum honors selfless service to country, comrades
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The museum is the principal repository for artifacts relating to the Medal of Honor, but the real thrust of the place is not just the display of things but also the perpetuation of the concept of selfless service to country and comrades. There is an emotion generated there that can be duplicated nowhere else, and one reason is the actions of people. Try these:
Jack Lucas
Jack Lucas was a bit bigger than other kids his age and spent some time at a military prep school. So, when World War II began, he successfully lied about his age and enlisted in the Marines Corps when he was 13 years old. He was so good in boot camp that he was made an instructor, at 14. Not content to serve in the States while his buddies were in combat, he got himself aboard a ship bound for the South Pacific. Landing on Iwo Jima, Lucas saved his fellow Marines by throwing himself on two hand grenades. He miraculously survived devastating injuries, and when he received the Medal from President Harry Truman, Lucas was the youngest recipient since the Civil War.
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The behavior of these gallant people was extraordinary, but the basic underpinnings of it are not. American service members are imbued with a code that transcends background, race and every other demographic distinction: don’t surrender if you can fight, never cooperate with your captors, accomplish the mission at all cost, love your comrades.
And so it’s not surprising that every recipient of the Medal of Honor will tell you that he wears it not for himself but for those who can’t: all the men and women who sacrificed so that we can live in freedom. It’s something worth remembering each time we have a chance to help our neighbors and instead turn the other way.
