Back when men were men and the country supported them.

RIP

The Child Dying

Unfriendly friendly universe,
I pack your stars into my purse,
And bid you so farewell.
That I can leave you, quite go out,
Go out, go out beyond all doubt,
My father says, is the miracle.

You are so great, and I so small:
I am nothing, you are all:
Being nothing, I can take this way.
Oh I need neither rise nor fall,
For when I do not move at all
I shall be out of all your day.

It's said some memory will remain
In the other place, grass in the rain,
Light on the land, sun on the sea,
A flitting grace, a phantom face,
But the world is out. There is not place
Where it and its ghost can ever be.

Father, father, I dread this air
Blown from the far side of despair
The cold cold corner. What house, what hold,
What hand is there? I look and see
Nothing-filled eternity,
And the great round world grows weak and old.

Hold my hand, oh hold it fast-
I am changing! - until at last
My hand in yours no more will change,
Though yours change on. You here, I there,
So hand in hand, twin-leafed despair -
I did not know death was so strange.

They just don’t make ’em like Jack Lucas any more:

Fortunately for us, yes, they do.

RIP to both these men.

He will be missed. RIP.

Big for his age and eager to serve, Lucas forged his mother’s signature on an enlistment waiver and joined the Marines at 14. Military censors discovered his age through a letter to his 15-year-old girlfriend.

“They had him driving a truck in Hawaii because his age was discovered and they threatened to send him home,” said D.K. Drum, who wrote Lucas’ story in the 2006 book “Indestructible.”

“He said if they sent him home, he would just join the Army.”

Rest in Peace Jack
Semper Fi Brother.

Jack and I served in the same regiment, 26th Marines, 21 years apart.

re: #2 Peacekeeper

By Edwin Muir?

Ouch.....I've never heard of someone doing that and surviving.

That last quotation is priceless.

What a privilege to be an American when we have the likes of this man among us.

re: #7 Conservative in Liberal Hands

yes. Not a moonbat I hope.

I gotta disagree with your title, Charles. Men like Jack Lucas are still in the Marine Corps today. Thank God such intense, unprecedented combat isn't like that in WWII isn't seen in today's war, but if the opportunity arose for such heroism, today's Marines would still run toward the guns.

To a true hero, RIP.

Godspeed, hero.

“He said if they sent him home, he would just join the Army.”

Great line. God bless your soul, Jack, and all heroes like you.

What a man. What an American!

G-d Bless. Rest in Peace.

re: #10 Peacekeeper

I'd read it back in the day... Does anybody know anything about him?

re: #1 NJDhockeyfan

Back when men were men and the country supported them.

RIP

Ditto!

It is sad when todays teen heros are know for wearing short skirts sans underpants or being pregnant before they can drive and examples like a Jack Lucas are ignored.

Thank you Jack Lucas. I had relatives who were Marines at Iwo Jima and I have heard a small portion of what it was like.

re: #11 SemperHunden

Maybe the heading should have read: The Media ignores/victimizes men like this today!

The Kos Kidz will probably stop by and spit on his grave.

"Where do we find men such as this..."

Rest in Peace in the house of the Lord Jack Lucas. You were and still are a great American hero.

re: #20 JammieWearingFool

The Kos Kidz will probably stop by and spit on his grave.

they resent true courage and strength of character because they have none.

We've had two brave men receive posthumous Medals of Honor in Iraq for throwing themselves on grenades to protect their brothers in arms:

Corporal Jason Dunham, USMC

and, as noted above,

Pfc. Ross McGinnis, United States Army

Greater love than this hath no man...

re: #15 Conservative in Liberal Hands

I'd read it back in the day... Does anybody know anything about him?

He died at a hospital in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on June 5, 2008 of leukemia with wife Ruby by his side. He had earned a business degree from High Point University and had also later served in the U. S. Army in the 1960s as paratrooper to conquer his fear of heights. He survived a jump where both parachutes did not open.[1]

If that is true, it is really amazing.

re: #20 JammieWearingFool

The Kos Kidz will probably stop by and spit on his grave.

The Obama people will put a port-o-potty on top of his grave.

God bless Jack and all our heroes. Many of us still care.

60th anniversary of D-Day tomorrow. Say a prayer for the fallen and give thanks to those who are still here.

My dad was 16 when he joined the Navy in 1942. They never found out because he had a doctor friend who forged a birth certificate for him. He was my hero and didn't talk much about his service during WW2. He passed away 10 years ago and afterward I found all kinds of articles and medals that he had tucked away in a box in the back of his closet. So many of his generation were like that, very self-effacing and modest. My dad saw some pretty hairy action in the South Pacific and I never knew about it. God bless him and Mr. Lucas, they just don't make them like that anymore.

re: #21 ironbill

Same place you did then...USMC.
^{(or at least that is what the Marines say)}

Imagine you can find them in the other branches too, though.

re: #10 Peacekeeper

Found it... His Scott and Scotland advanced the claim that Scotland can only create a national literature by writing in English, an opinion which placed him in direct opposition to the Lallans movement of Hugh MacDiarmid. He had little sympathy for Scottish nationalism.

God bless his soul.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JACKLYN H. LUCAS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, Fifth Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands 20 February 1945. While creeping through a treacherous, twisting ravine which ran in close proximity to a fluid and uncertain front line on D-plus-1 Day, Private First Class Lucas and three other men were suddenly ambushed by a hostile patrol which savagely attacked with rifle fire and grenades. Quick to act when the lives of the small group were endangered by two grenades which landed directly in front of them, Private First Class Lucas unhesitatingly hurled himself over his comrades upon one grenade and pulled the other one under him, absorbing the whole blasting force of the explosions in his own body in order to shield his companions from the concussion and murderous flying fragments. By his inspiring action and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice, he not only protected his comrades from certain injury or possible death, but also enabled them to rout the Japanese patrol and continue the advance. His exceptionally courageous initiative and loyalty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Lucas and the United States Naval Service.[5]
/S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN

I'm very glad he was allowed 65 more years to tell us his story.

re: #26 NJDhockeyfan

The Obama people will put a port-o-potty on top of his grave.

Is The Wizard of Uhhhs practicing his salute yet?

re: #20 JammieWearingFool

The Kos Kidz will probably stop by and spit on his grave.

/Obama would set up Porta-Pottys on it

RIP Jack Lucas.

You reminded me of the drummer boy of Chickamauga named John Lincoln Clem.

re: #21 ironbill

All over the Civilized World.....

He was not the first and he won't be the last.

My daughter is nearly 14. My God, I can't imagine being in that situation as a parent.

I'm very proud of the current crop of young men and women in this country. In spite of what the Obamessaihist or MSM portray. These young heroes are there, these young patriots are there, and when their country calls on them, they will always be there. They always have, they always will,....be there in their countries time of need.

I'm sure that Chesty is very proud to welcome this fellow Marine home.

re: #27 JammieWearingFool

D-Day, that military blunder where eliete warmongering drunk presidents sent hundreds of thousands of innocent children to die for the benefit of international Jewry?

/big time /

"He said if they sent him home, he would just join the Army."
Lucas eventually stowed away aboard a Navy ship headed for combat in the Pacific Ocean. He turned himself in to avoid being listed as a deserter and volunteered to fight, and the officers on board allowed him to reach his goal of fighting the Japanese.

Now that's determination.

If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

Semper Fi

NNJC
USMC 1986-1991

As for his enemy there came in
A soft round beast as brown as clay;
All rent and patched his wretched skin;
A battered bag he might have been,
Some old used thing to throw away.

Yet he awaited face to face
The furious beast and the swift attack.
Soon over and done. That was no place
Or time for chivalry or for grace.
The fury had him on his back.

And two small paws like hands flew out
To right and left as the trees stood by.
One would have said beyond a doubt
That was the very end of the bout,
But that the creature would not die.

For ere the death-stroke he was gone,
Writhed, whirled, into his den,
Safe somehow there. The fight was done,
And he had lost who had all but won.
But oh his deadly fury then.

A while the place lay blank, forlorn,
Drowsing as in relief from pain.
The cricket chirped, the grating thorn
Stirred, and a little sound was born.
The champions took their posts again.

And all began. The stealthy paw
Slashed out and in. Could nothing save
These rags and tatters from the claw?
Nothing. And yet I never saw
A beast so helpless and so brave.

And now, while the trees stand watching, still
The unequal battle rages there.
The killing beast that cannot kill
Swells and swells in his fury till
You'd almost think it was despair.

-Excerpt from The Combat
Edwin Muir

re: #26 NJDhockeyfan

The Obama people will put a port-o-potty on top of his grave.

Touche.

/but I had the link

“He said if they sent him home, he would just join the Army.”

Pure spunk.

re: #21 ironbill

They are on the front lines even as we speak.

Indeed, we still have such men.

What we lack is an AP that would rush to tell his story in his own words.

In the AP interview, written as a first-person account under his name

Ask the man on the street how many Metal of Honor recipients there have been in Iraq. Don't be surprised if they say none that they know of, or if they have to wildly guess a number. Because unless they go looking for it, they haven't been told.

There are four.

And yet I never saw
A beast so helpless and so brave.

Touching.

re: #41 not neo just conservative

Amen.

re: #43 Killian Bundy

Touche.

/but I had the link

GMTA

And when he gets to heaven
to Saint Peter he will tell.
One more marine reporting, sir.
I've served my time in hell.

re: #24 Occasional Reader

Also Monsoor and Smith.

re: #28 redheadredstate

My Dad also fought in the South Pacific, and, like yours, never, ever, mentioned his time fighting there. I once tried to coax some information from him and he was very reluctant to get into any details, only intimating that want he saw and experienced was too horrible to revisit.

ot but still having to do with strength and spunk.

Israeli Prof On Al-Jazeera.

re: #28 redheadredstate

My dad was 16 when he joined the Navy in 1942. They never found out because he had a doctor friend who forged a birth certificate for him. He was my hero and didn't talk much about his service during WW2. He passed away 10 years ago and afterward I found all kinds of articles and medals that he had tucked away in a box in the back of his closet. So many of his generation were like that, very self-effacing and modest. My dad saw some pretty hairy action in the South Pacific and I never knew about it. God bless him and Mr. Lucas, they just don't make them like that anymore.

A friend's father, who's buried at Arlington and died about 8 years ago, was much the same. We knew so little about his military history until after he died.

re: #46 Silhouette

Brave Men All!

Semper Fidelis, sir. Hope to see you on the other side.

re: #39 WrathofG-d

D-Day, that military blunder where eliete warmongering drunk presidents sent hundreds of thousands of innocent children to die for the benefit of international Jewry?

/big time /

Quagmire.

D-Day - What If the Greatest Generation were stuck with our generation's media?

And Obama won't wear a flag pin.

I wonder if Michelle Obama had heard about Jack Lucas (or any other recipient of the CMH) she would feel proud of her country?

I think I just found a new piece of summer reading material.

What always strikes me is that the more things change, the more they stay the same. This man showed uncommon valor in an age full of courage and bravery. Some may wonder if Americans still possess this steel, this spirit; I don't. We do.

That is why no matter who is President, our nation will long prosper, as long as Americans are still allowed to be Americans.

RIP, Mr. Lucas. We often hear of some who would lie to get out of military service, this man lied to get into military service. AT. AGE. 14.

A true Man of Valor.

re: #51 Silhouette

Also Monsoor and Smith.

I hadn't realized that Monsoor threw himself on a grenade, too... and of course you're right:

Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor, US Navy (Seals)

And, while he didn't throw himself on a grenade, he also gave his life for his brothers:

Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith, US Army

These names should be on the lips of every schoolchild in the United States. Why aren't they?

re: #52 solomonpanting

Same deal with my grandpa. Army Air Corps in the SoPac. Finally, a few years before he died, my mother and aunt got him to open up a bit...otherwise it would have been lost to history.

We should all try to preserve this as much as we can.

Thank you for your heroism, and for your service to this country, Mr. Lucas. Rest in peace, and Semper Fi.

[Link: www.history.army.mil...]

Scroll down nearly to the bottom of the page. Amazing citation! Amazing young Marine!

LUCAS, JACKLYN HAROLD

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division. Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 20 February 1945. Entered service at: Norfolk, Va. Born: 14 February 1928, Plymouth, N.C. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 20 February 1945. While creeping through a treacherous, twisting ravine which ran in close proximity to a fluid and uncertain frontline on D-plus-1 day, Pfc. Lucas and 3 other men were suddenly ambushed by a hostile patrol which savagely attacked with rifle fire and grenades. Quick to act when the lives of the small group were endangered by 2 grenades which landed directly in front of them, Pfc. Lucas unhesitatingly hurled himself over his comrades upon 1 grenade and pulled the other under him, absorbing the whole blasting forces of the explosions in his own body in order to shield his companions from the concussion and murderous flying fragments. By his inspiring action and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice, he not only protected his comrades from certain injury or possible death but also enabled them to rout the Japanese patrol and continue the advance. His exceptionally courageous initiative and loyalty reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. Lucas and the U.S. Naval Service.

re: #21 ironbill

"Where do we find men such as this..."

When they are needed, such men, even if the man is 14, appear.

^{Give rest with the Just, O Saviour, unto Thy servant, and establish him in Thy courts, as it is written: Regarding not, in that Thou are good, his sins, whether voluntary or involuntary, nor anything, committed either with knowledge or in ignorance, O Thou Who lovest mankind.}

Of course I meant no disrespect to any Marines serving today, and I know we have plenty of real heros among them.

But Jack Lucas was from a different time, and a different world.

re: #67 Charles

I see 'em in Airports almost every week. I just wonder where in the hell do all of them come from based on what I see on the TV every night.

Every MOH winner for all conflicts can be found here.

But my gratitude is not limited to them. It goes to all of them.

Because each of them put on a uniform and said, "I'll put my life between you and tyranny. I'll do it."

[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

Another Iwo Marine.

[Link: www.cmohs.org...]

A Jewish machine gunner.

LARGER
THAN
LIFE,
R

re: #41 not neo just conservative

If the Army and the Navy Air Force
Ever look on Heaven's scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

Semper Fi

NNJC
USMC 1986-1991

Navy folks already know this.

/Semper Fi, indeed!

My nephew served two tours in Afghanistan and he returned home last year physically uninjured, thank God. He doesn't talk about it much but he was a sharpshooter in the Marines and he said that he had to use his gun many times so I'm sure he saw quite a bit of action. I showed him the articles about my dad from WW2 and he was very touched. I told him that someday he will need to write down his experiences and not let them get lost to history. I believe it is that important. There are still heroes and they are serving our country in uniform not playing on some baseball or football field. This country needs to get it's priorities straight on what a true hero is.

“He said if they sent him home, he would just join the Army.”

That's hilarious! That's the kind of man I strive to be.

A man I would have liked to have met.

Someone you could look square in the eye and say with pride "An HONOR to meet you, sir".

I wonder how many heros like this we pass everyday without knowing it.

In today's world, the officers who allowed him to stay on and fight would be Haditha-d, his mom would lose her parental rights, environmentalists would accuse him of helping to destroy pristine lava rocks and ash, he would be accused of racism for allowing his fellow Marines to attack the indigenous people who were just trying to protect their way of life against an illegal invasion, and many would wish he had died on the spot to lessen his carbon footprint over the next 65 years.

If you ever doubt the spirit of the American Fighting Man (as in Hu-Man, do not want to dis the many brave female service members) just read the excellent book Black Hawk Down. The movie is a reasonably good version of the book as well. Courage in the face of overwhelming odds is a national virtue and should be celebrated, not marginalized by those whose very freedom was constantly preserved by men such as these.

Rich Braud

PS I was a Sailor in The Navy and served on Fast Attacks as a Sonar Tech. No one loves a Marine more than a sailor. Also no one like to rip at a Marine more than a sailor. Just don't insult a Marine in the presence of a sailor or I grantee there will be trouble. We reserve that right to our selves alone.

re: #70 Render

If you follow the Wikipedia link to his grave marker, it's marked with a cross. Apparently German-American, but not Jewish. But a hero in any case.

I first heard the story of Jack Lucas from my grandfather. I have to say as well, that I would've liked to have met him.

re: #13 Yishai

Great line. God bless your soul, Jack, and all heroes like you.

And in fact he DID join the army years later to become a paratrooper and get over his fear of heights !
True hero
rest in Peace
SEMPER-FI

re: #75 Silhouette

I wonder how many heros like this we pass everyday without knowing it.

Not long ago my wife wanted some stuff at Wal-Mart, I usually camp in the car and get some reading done. This time I went in, an older gentleman was the greeter.

He had a WWII NAVY hat on. So I struck up a conversation with him. After gentling prodding him I found out he was at Iwo Jima. Some more conversation and it come out he had been a beach master.

The beaches at Iwo where raked with fire from Mt. Suribachi. As a beach master he would have been on the beach directing the incoming traffic.

He said it so off hand, unless you've read the histories you'd never really take note.

They are all around us. Heroes.

re: #72 redheadredstate

My nephew served two tours in Afghanistan and he returned home last year physically uninjured, thank God. He doesn't talk about it much but he was a sharpshooter in the Marines and he said that he had to use his gun many times so I'm sure he saw quite a bit of action. I showed him the articles about my dad from WW2 and he was very touched. I told him that someday he will need to write down his experiences and not let them get lost to history. I believe it is that important. There are still heroes and they are serving our country in uniform not playing on some baseball or football field. This country needs to get it's priorities straight on what a true hero is.

I salute your Nephew's service to our country and I am glad to read of his safe return.
G-D bless him and those like him.

P.S. When he's ready he'll write it down.

God's speed Mr Lucas.And a sincere thank you from all of us you apitamise the word hero in every way God bless.

re: #78 stuiec

re: #78 stuiec

If you follow the Wikipedia link to his grave marker, it's marked with a cross. Apparently German-American, but not Jewish. But a hero in any case.

Just a point - Many Jewish servicemen during WWII deliberately listed their faith as Christian in case of capture. It may not be the case with Sgt Stein since he was a Marine in the Pacific Theater

re: #67 Charles

Of course I meant no disrespect to any Marines serving today, and I know we have plenty of real heros among them.

But Jack Lucas was from a different time, and a different world.

Reading through this thread, there is evidence that he was both headstrong and bulletproof. Sounds like a good combination for a Marine.

re: #39 WrathofG-d

D-Day, that military blunder where eliete warmongering drunk presidents sent hundreds of thousands of innocent children to die for the benefit of international Jewry?

/big time /

Are you an Ass hat or do you just play one on TV ?
Clearly you are deranged.

re: #52 solomonpanting

My Dad also fought in the South Pacific, and, like yours, never, ever, mentioned his time fighting there. I once tried to coax some information from him and he was very reluctant to get into any details, only intimating that want he saw and experienced was too horrible to revisit.

MY FATHER SAID THE SAME THING.
The only person i ever heard him talk about it was my cousin who was being sent to viet nam.

My father lied about his age as well when joined the navy, he was only 16 when he was at pearl harbor on that dec 7th.

all gave some
SOME GAVE ALL.

Semper Fi, Jack.

Say hello to Chesty for me.

re: #86 BIGDUKE 6

Are you an Ass hat or do you just play one on TV ?
Clearly you are deranged.

BIGDUKE, you're kind of new around here apparently. I think you missed the sarc tags "/big time /"

re: #75 Silhouette

I wonder how many heros like this we pass everyday without knowing it.

When I see some broken down old man, perhaps with wheelchair or oxygen bottle, I always treat them with respect. I've been privileged to talk with a few that turn out to have done great and praiseworthy things. Not too long ago I found out that a man I know is a Hero of the Soviet Union for fighting the Nazis (Stalingrad). He doesn't like communism/socialism, by the way.

re: #84 BIGDUKE 6

It wasn't just the fear of capture by Germans that caused many US servicemen of WW2 to hide their religion.

Tony Steins parents immigrated from Austro-Hungary to avoid anti-Semitism and then converted in the 1920's US to avoid rampant anti-Semitism in the US.

My own last name is a reflection of that era.

END
OF
LINE,
R

re: #91 Render

There is irony in the fact that a kid whose parents were subjected to anti-Semitism in the US ended up giving his life for the US. I wonder what the anti-Semites had to say to his parents when his remains were repatriated.

My grandfather's brother Davey Abrams served in the Navy in WWII and survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. It reminds me of Robert Mitchum's line in Crossfire: "There were plenty of funny names on the casualty lists, too."

I agree with #3. That young msn was as heroic as men in "The Greatest Generation" and the times are totally different now.

re: #85 CyanSnowHawk

Reading through this thread, there is evidence that he was both headstrong and bulletproof. Sounds like a good combination for a Marine.

No, no, no -- bulletproof implies bullets would have bounced off him. He was extremely shrapnel-resilient.

A somewhat longer bio of him is at: [Link: www.dogpile.com...]

Courage is a much disparaged item these days. More the pity. My greatest respect to all those who have served in any branch of the armed services in any of out conflicts. Without the courage of men like Lucas, we would all be under somebody else's heel. God has blessed America by letting us have people like him among us.

re: #95 Shr_Nfr

Note, the link will download a PDF to where you direct your browser to store them.

im only 26 but i remember being little and having a world war 1 veteran speak to us at our school assembly, soon enough there won't even be any world war 2 vets alive to tell their stories, damn shame.

re: #97 pegcity

im only 26 but i remember being little and having a world war 1 veteran speak to us at our school assembly, soon enough there won't even be any world war 2 vets alive to tell their stories, damn shame.

I guess that's why they told us their stories. We're supposed to tell them now.

R.I.P

All I can say here is how today's 14-15 yrs old act and behave. Things have changed a lot since 50-60 yrs ago for sure.

When I was 14, I was still riding my bicycles around the neighborhood. This man was trying to save the world.

re: #57 JammieWearingFool

Actually the "America First" movement kept us out until Pearl Harbor. So there were moonbats back then too.

I got a first hand view of WW 1 and WW 2 from my mom and dad. He served in WW 1 in the submarine corps. Lied about his age to get in and tried to join the "Air Force" but there were not enough planes to go around so he went into the Navy and the submarine corps. I look at those tin cans they went down in and shake my head. He emerged more or less ok although his sub blew up when it was being moored. Some numbnuts threw his coat over the exhaust vent from the battery room while they were recharging. Filled the sub with hydrogen and oxygen. A spark and the rest is history as they say. Mom was a nurse that came in after D-day and played MASH behind the front lines. They would operate on the wounded until they could no longer stand up. At that point they would walk up the hill and wake up one of the other nurses to go take their place. Rinse, repeat. A lot of very brave people to whom we can never sufficiently repay the debt except through our own examples.

My greatest respect for all of them. I am told that my daughter went out today to donate some stuff for the Marines in Iraq. (On my dime but I consider it well spent)

The freedom I enjoyed today and every day that came before it was paid for by great men like you Jack.

RIP sir.

Thank you, God Bless You

Eternal Rest Grant unto him, O Lord,
And Let Perpetual Light shine upon him.
May he Rest in Peace, Amen.

WWII Veterans are no in their last years on this orb.
Never pass up the chance to listen to what they have to say.

no=now PIMF.

Oh my, how did he survive that? I'm so glad he did though. What a treasure.

RIP, brave man. Thank you for your service. I pray we don't screw up what you fought and nearly died for.

I've posted this before, but I think it is appropriate.

"Had he and I but met
By some old ancient inn,
We should have sat us down to wet
Right many a nipperkin!

"But ranged as infantry,
And staring face to face,
I shot at him and he at me,
And killed him in his place.

"I shot him dead because –
Because he was my foe,
Just so – my foe of course he was;
That's clear enough; although

"He thought he'd 'list perhaps,
Off-hand like – just as I –
Was out of work – had sold his traps –
No other reason why.

"Yes; quaint and curious war is!
You shoot a fellow down
You'd treat if met where any bar is,
Or help to half-a-crown."

-Thomas Hardy

re: #98 Silhouette

Only are they telling their stories. Up to now, I always wondered why my Dad never wanted to go on a cruise ship; why my late uncle would never get on a plane; why another uncle went and curled up in a corner during a thunderstorm. Dad had been in the USN in WWII and Korea. My late uncle was in the 15th USAAF out of Foggia--and had crashed in the Adriatic. My other uncle was in the 3rd Army and was in a lead element on the assault on Metz. These things I learned in their later years--and that there were things you could not tell a boy.

Jack Lucas was honored at the 1995 State of the Union Address. Can't find video of it, but there's a photo here of Lucas standing beside Hillary after Bill singled him out. From the Address:

The last person I want to introduce is Jack Lucas from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Jack, would you stand up? Fifty years ago, in the sands of Iwo Jima, Jack Lucas taught and learned the lessons of citizenship. On February the 20th, 1945, he and three of his buddies encountered the enemy and two grenades at their feet. Jack Lucas threw himself on both of them. In that moment, he saved the lives of his companions, and miraculously in the next instant, a medic saved his life. He gained a foothold for freedom, and at the age of 17, just a year older than his grandson, who is up there with him today, and his son, who is a West Point graduate and a veteran, at 17, Jack Lucas became the youngest Marine in history and the youngest soldier in this century to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.

All these years later, yesterday, here's what he said about that day: "It didn't matter where you were from or who you were, you relied on one another. You did it for your country."

RIP, Mr Lucas.

These days, if you wanted to hear about a Medal of Honor recipient from the AP, you'd have to translate the war-crimes accusations from Arabic.

I met him (accidentally) at a service disabled vets contracting conference. We were at the conference's mid day break and I was running to pick up a quick lunch in the hotel, fully dressed up, ready to network and schmooze and all this other junk that goes along with sales prospecting. Anyway, the line to get a table is huge and this short, old, dumpy looking fellow is taking his sweet time talking with the hostess. Curse you stupid tourist! Shame on you for taking such time when so many important people are in the house! The fellow was relaxed, patient, kind and worst of all, getting between me and a fast lunch.

The next day for the conference finale, they introduce the two closing speakers, both Medal of Honor winners and this fellow from yesterday's lunch is one of the two that stands up. Great god almighty I felt like an ass. He was a warm kind hearted soul whose love of his country was only eclipsed by his stubbornness and determination to help out where ever and when ever he could. He was a good guy.

The Marines are still looking for a few good men. Today as back then heros are forged in the fires of Parris Island and Pendleton. Hats off to Jack Lucas, and all the silent heros of a thousand gritty beaches and rocky ridges. Your service and sacrifice will not soon be forgotten.
Tyrants beware.

I got to hear Mr. Lucas speak when the Bob Dole Center was opened in Lawrence, Kansas. He was quite a character as he recounted his efforts to fool, then game the system so he could get into the Marines, stay in the Marines when his age was learned, then sneak about ship and hide for a long period of time so he could take part in the invasion of Iwo.

His determination to serve this country and the cause of freedom, and his heroism in battle are the bedrock of what has made this country great. Unfortunately, in our day and age, he would now be held up as a pariah by the press and too many of your politicians (at best, he would be a misguided, confused soul who was mislead by the evil war mongering fascists such as Dick Cheney).

RIP Mr. Lucas. Listening to you and other Medal of Honor recipients was the highlight of my time working with the National Archives on the opening of the Dole Center.

God Bless,
Sam S.

Such were the men as they had in those days. You still find them around, still quietly serving.

God bless you all, and R.I.P, and rise in glory, Jack Lucas.

Everyone's posting songs and poems. So......

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Almost no one ever sings that far down Francis Scott Key's "Star Spangled Banner" any more.

Thank you, Mr. Lucas. G-d bless your soul.

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Thank you, Jack.