In September 2011 Marine Sergeant Dakota Meyer was awarded the Medal of Honor. For the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, he is the tenth recipient of the military’s highest honor. He’s the third living recipient.
From the militias of the Revolutionary War who stood on the battlefields of Lexington and Concord to our fathers and grandfathers who freed millions of people from tyranny during WWII, and now to the new generation—defined by Dakota Meyer and the nine other Americans who received the Medal of Honor—they are the guardians of America.
No words can properly describe the genuine sincerity, humility, and selflessness of the trustees of our freedom.
As Dakota Meyer said, “A lot of people call me a hero, and it kills me. I feel like the furthest thing from that because I let those guys down. Anything that comes out of it, it’s not for me. It’s for those guys because they are the true heroes.”
Army Staff Sergeant Salvatore Guinta said, "This [Medal of Honor] isn't mine. Like I said, this belongs to all the veterans of all these wars. All the unsung heroes, all the people who don't come back."
Pure hearts.
In an era where such fame can lead to celebrity status, endorsements, and an opportunity to make millions, these great Americans simply expressed deep humility and accepted their award on behalf of their brothers-in-arms.
Others over self.
Leroy Petry enjoys his current job helping soldiers—who have lost limbs—readapt to society. Salvatore Guinta returned to school and supports an organization that works to help wounded soldiers. Dakota Meyer works in construction and has partnered with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation to raise $1 million by May 2012.
As Bing West said in the Wall Street Journal about Dakota Meyer’s Medal of Honor ceremony, “Inside that village on the Pakistan border, the defining values of America—individual initiative, comradeship, valor and determination to prevail despite any odds—were on display.”
This young but tested generation—who is fighting two wars—can’t lead this nation alone. Those in the military only make up 1% of
They need us.
Our country is at a tipping point. We’re sitting on the brink staring at continued economic stagnation, a possible “lost decade”, unsustainable deficit spending, a weakened but still viable Al Qaeda, the rise of China, and myriad other challenges too long to list. And we can’t dismiss the unforeseen.
A strong nation relies on more than just a robust military. The recent housing and financial crises of 2008 are prime examples. If the individuals who caused those crises held the same values as Dakota Meyer, there would’ve been no crises!
The Great Recession may have never happened!
Our economy needs us. Our political process needs us. Our nation needs us.
The founding fathers risked everything to declare independence in 1776. Each subsequent generation carried
It’s our turn.
Honor the troops by emulating them. Let's follow their example and hold those same values exemplified by Dakota and his fellow Medal of Honor recipients.
I’m not advocating that we should enlist in the military. Rather, whatever path we choose in life—business, politics, education, finance, etc—let’s adopt those values and join Dakota in the new Greatest Generation.
God Bless.
-Thomas Longfellow
Author of the novella: Guardians of the Gift
Contact the author: guardiansofthegift@gmail.com
Website: http://www.guardiansofthegift.com/
