Quote of the day
posted at 10:55 pm on June 2, 2008 by Allahpundit
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“I guess about the only thing you’re really going to remember about my son is that he did the right thing at the right time.”
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I can never find the words except to say, “Thank you”.
SouthernGent on June 2, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Honor
bnelson44 on June 2, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Dang. That brought a creeper to the corner of my eye.
krabbas on June 2, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Words fail.
Purple Fury on June 2, 2008 at 11:03 PM
I have chicken skin (Hawaii slang for goose bumps). I am proud of this family and this young man’s service. This is who the word “hero” should be exclusively used for. The word is over-used these days.
HawaiiLwyr on June 2, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Maybe someday, a little girl will grow up, be educated, get married, have children and live a full life in Iraq or Iran or place where women are second class citizens. A hundred years from now, people like this brave soul will look down on her and feel like it was worth it. Maybe the hundreds of partisan media who said he died for nothing will roll over in their graves and feel the shame they so clearly deserve.
AYNBLAND on June 2, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Honor to that Man and his family. True Honor for that soldier. We salute you. Also, an excellent quote from Mr. McGuinnis.
Troy Rasmussen on June 2, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Yep.
Bob's Kid on June 2, 2008 at 11:10 PM
It might be one thing to have a son or daughter die
on the battlefield,in the heat of a visious fire fight,
but to lose a son or daughter who throws oneself onto
a live hand grenade,is above and beyond the call of duty!
This is not the only one,and it won’t be the last,but
speaks of the fine Men and Women who reside in the best
fighting force in the world,the American Armed Forces!
And this truly brings in the very definition,of Sacifice!
And the definition of a Hero!
Godspeed Soldier!
canopfor on June 2, 2008 at 11:12 PM
May God welcome you back home to his loving and comforting arms, and ease the pain of your family…….. God Speed Pfc. Ross A. McGinnis…..
Seven Percent Solution on June 2, 2008 at 11:12 PM
I whole-heartedly concur!
Troy Rasmussen on June 2, 2008 at 11:13 PM
Vntnrse solemnly stands and salutes a very brave and honorable hero.
Vntnrse on June 2, 2008 at 11:24 PM
From the article:
“I woke up,” Beck said. “I missed him so bad, but I had a smile on my face. It was so real.”
Medal of Honor.
Ours is an honor culture. Honor is the recognition of legitimacy and reality, crediting something with the force of the actual.
ForNow on June 2, 2008 at 11:28 PM
Perfectly said. I can say nothing better.
MadisonConservative on June 2, 2008 at 11:30 PM
May God rest his soul a true American hero. I Am proud of my country and what these warriors do for us.
pjf626 on June 2, 2008 at 11:30 PM
Greater love has no man than this, that he lay his life down for his friends.
jgapinoy on June 2, 2008 at 11:32 PM
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
A true hero.
labrat on June 2, 2008 at 11:34 PM
May that prove true. In a just world, it will.
sulla on June 2, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Well, never hurts to repeat it.
labrat on June 2, 2008 at 11:36 PM
Remembering isn’t enough. Will never be enough. We all have an obligation to warrior McGinnis that can only be paid back by honoring the country he helped secure for us. God bless this young warrior and his family.
Limerick on June 2, 2008 at 11:40 PM
McGinnis, Murphy, Dunham, Smith, Monsoor, ask your friends to name one of these men. Blank stares. Now ask ‘em to name an ‘American Idol’ winner. Stand back, you might get stampeded.
I’ve done this a few times on the mic with a full plane load of people, offering a free drink to anybody who can name just one Medal of Honor recipient and nobody ever gets one. Then ask about Idol and several hands go up (no they don’t get free drinks for that) then they look around like they got the point. How backward have our priorities become? These men should be household names.
Tony737 on June 2, 2008 at 11:46 PM
The army will make sure some remember him. Chances are there will be a large building someplace named after him and those who use that building will see a memorial for him there with a story of what happened.
bnelson44 on June 2, 2008 at 11:49 PM
I thank God for people like Ross A. McGinnis.
His love for his friends was truly the greatest love a man can have – he laid down his own life, so that the four of them could live.
May the Holy Spirit comfort his family.
Red Pill on June 2, 2008 at 11:55 PM
Ours is an honor culture. – ForNow
Or at least it SHOULD be. The military is an honor/warrior, but our civilian population is more concerned with what Paris Hilton wore to the Oscar’s.
Tony737 on June 2, 2008 at 11:57 PM
One of these days I will fly SWA just to buy you a drink.
Heck I will even buy a first class ticket, tell you to take a seat and attempt to do the job that you do.
F15Mech on June 2, 2008 at 11:58 PM
Mech, thanks Bro, it’s the coolest job in the world, I get paid to give out free drinks to G.I.’s and pretty girls :-)
Tony737 on June 3, 2008 at 12:03 AM
When I was about 9 years old one of the few memories I have of that age was my Sunday school teacher who I knew only as Mr. McGinnis. He was a fine man with a humble spirit and genuine concern for the children he taught. He was paid nothing as a volunteer to come and deliver a good message to the kids in my age group each Sunday, but he was always there and always had a good message.
It’s funny I remember him because I don’t think I ever talked one-on-one with him even a single time for all the years I knew him. But he made quite an impression on me as an example of what a good man was. I have no idea if the Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis pictures above are any relation to my old friend the Sunday school teacher, but I seem to recognize some resemblance. I guess the McGinnis name is closely associated with honor.
God bless you Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis and thank you for raising a son with honor, who put other before himself even at the cost of his own life.
Maxx on June 3, 2008 at 12:07 AM
Pfc. Ross McGinnis is a hero and we can never thank him enough for his bravery and selflessness.
SoulGlo on June 3, 2008 at 12:09 AM
You also get paid to be insulted by the guy in seat 11b, because he thinks you must re-arrange an entire flight just to make sure he makes his “important meeting”
F15Mech on June 3, 2008 at 12:11 AM
It’s hard to get your mind around this. So easy to do, and so instinctual, and yet…words truly fail.
All this other stuff is just crap when you think of this guy doing this thing. God be with him always.
Jaibones on June 3, 2008 at 12:15 AM
I thank and admire Ross McGinnis all the more because I don’t know if I would have the courage to sacrifice myself as he did. I’d like to think I would, but I don’t know, and because of the sacrifices of people like Ross McGinnis, I don’t have to discover what I’d do. He made that decision over there so we don’t have to make it here.
RBMN on June 3, 2008 at 12:23 AM
HA! Yeah, sometimes we get that guy, but I spend most of my time flirting with pretty girls, playing with babies and chatting with G.I.’s.
God bless ‘em all, from the heroes like Ross to the unknown guys who come back without a scratch. I always give ‘em free beers and tell ‘em “It’s because of guys like you that my wife doesn’t hafta wear a burka.”
Tony737 on June 3, 2008 at 12:27 AM
What a sad shame.
God Bless and Rest in Peace good young man.
SilverStar830 on June 3, 2008 at 12:28 AM
And his father said that he did the math and 4 was greater than 1.
1 is all it takes.
God Bless this brave warrior.
Give peace to his family and friends.
Texas Gal on June 3, 2008 at 12:29 AM
He made that decision over there so we don’t have to make it here. – RBMN
Now THERE’S somebody who gets it! But try to explain this concept to your lefty friends, in one ear and out the other, eyes all glazed over, spouting MoveOn talking points about oil, etc etc.
Tony737 on June 3, 2008 at 12:31 AM
A real Mensch. They exist and are ours. We must honor them, the living and the dead. We’re free because they stand guard for us. Never forget.
Entelechy on June 3, 2008 at 12:39 AM
I have nothing else to add…
F15Mech on June 3, 2008 at 12:39 AM
Sadly, as you pointed out Tony, he has already been forgotten by most. Why? Our society has become a pop culture sewer. This nation, as a whole, has abandoned God and his Word. Consequently, most people in this country cannot even begin to fathom true sacrifice, like that displayed by this young man, much less that of the Saviour of the World. It is a completely foreign concept to them. They live in a fog of narcissism and relativism. How else could a “false christ”, or “messiah”, as he’s known on this site, come out of nowhere and captivate so many people with meaningless platitudes? Nations that turn from God, turn to idolatry. “American Idol”, very fitting.
labrat on June 3, 2008 at 12:43 AM
“Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince, And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!”
ronsfi on June 3, 2008 at 12:45 AM
This brave young man.
The true hero.
God bless you, Soldier.
RIP
Saltysam on June 3, 2008 at 12:51 AM
Our society has become a pop culture sewer. – LabRat
If only we could use that power for good instead of evil, if only Hollywood were on OUR side. If only they’d make more movies like ‘300′, or if they filmed ‘Lone Survivor’ (I’ve heard rumors) or ‘House to House’ or ‘We Were One’ or ‘Hard Corps’ or ‘Jawbreaker’ or … the list goes on and on. But instead they film ‘Lions to Lambs’ and ‘Redacted’ and ‘Stop Gap’ and … the list goes on and on.
Tony737 on June 3, 2008 at 1:00 AM
The Hollywood glamourpusses party till they puke and then redeem and honor their puke as America’s best and most honest product. We refuse to honor their puke. They lose a bundle but, enraged, produce still more puke. The news media are baffled, why don’t Americans consume more puke?
ForNow on June 3, 2008 at 1:11 AM
Psalm 23 for Pfc. Ross A. McGinnis
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul;
he leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff
they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the
presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup Runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of
the Lord forever.
God Bless
byteshredder on June 3, 2008 at 1:17 AM
Just to clarify, when I say movies like ‘300′, I don’t mean the cartoon aspect, I mean historical movies that show men (and women) sacrificing for their families’ freedom and way of life. Movies about HEROES! How about a movie about the victories at the Battles of Marathon and Platea? (Racist!) The defeat of the Spanish Armada? (Racist!) How about the Marines at Chosin? (Racist!) Linebacker 2? (Racist!) The 23 Easting during Desert Storm? (Racist!) Bastogne? Boudica? The Bruce? (Not racist) The possibilities are endless.
But, sadly, McGinnis, Murphy, Smith, Monsoor, Dunham and the very few like them could soon be forgotten. We must all do our own small part to not let that happen. If you have a website, link them and their stories. If you’re a teacher, tell your students about them. If you’re a boss, include them in your company literature. I name them off, on the mic to my Pax in a metal tube with wings at 40,000 feet, a captive audience who can’t avoid hearing them, I end my P.A. with “It’s because of people like these that the rest of us are free to fly” and they all cheer.
Tony737 on June 3, 2008 at 1:23 AM
I hate to be ungracious and make the partisan point. I am after all an atheist RINO of the first magnitude. But I feel compelled to say that Obamaistas don’t have the ideological framework to understand why McGinnis is a hero. To them, McGinnis is a just a dupe at best. It’s why we must try to prevent Obama from becoming president.
Though it is futile at this point, I would again point out that Hillary would understand why McGinnis is a hero. We need to enourage that part of the Democratic Party that is non-treasonous. I know it’s a pretty low criterion, but it may be the best we can do.
thuja on June 3, 2008 at 1:23 AM
I agree, but I won’t hold my breath. Look at what the ‘Passion’ did at the box office. They learn nothing. You would almost think that it’s not about making money, only promoting a left-wing agenda.
BTW, have you seen the new Indy movie? I have to say, I was somewhat disappointed. ‘Raiders’ and ‘The Last Crusade’ are hard acts to follow I suppose.
labrat on June 3, 2008 at 1:34 AM
Right.
Good ideas. My wife home-schools our three. The American heroes she often tells them about will now be mentioned by name.
labrat on June 3, 2008 at 1:42 AM
Well stated.
labrat on June 3, 2008 at 1:43 AM
I’d like to tell of a tradition we have in the Marine Corps (I’m a former Marine).
It’s called, “Proposing a Toast for those who have Passed Before….”
I’d like to propose a Toast to one of our own (in this case “American” and “Soldier”), who has “Passed Before…”
“PFC Ross McGinnis, Semper Fidelis, Rest in Peace and God Speed!”
Humbly and with all humility:
Dale in Atlanta
Dale in Atlanta on June 3, 2008 at 1:55 AM
May the family of Pfc. Ross A. McGinnis know that many ordinary Americans gratefully honor his service and sacrifice on behalf of his fellow soldiers and all of us safe at home.
_____________
Agreed.
Gilda on June 3, 2008 at 1:56 AM
I just wrote something about all of the MOH winners for Afghanistan and Iraq for the OSU paper.
Here’s my girlfriend’s brother, who gave up his life in 2004.
PaisleyCow on June 3, 2008 at 2:33 AM
Gratitude I can’t express, a gift I can’t repay, a sacrifice I’m forever grateful for, from a hero I never knew.
Dollayo on June 3, 2008 at 2:58 AM
I’m speechless and I feel two feet tall.
Claypigeon on June 3, 2008 at 3:43 AM
Go to God, trooper…
Stand down, clear and safe your weapon, and enjoy your R&R. Mission complete and a job well done.
Keep your hatchet scoured and your powder dry, and we will meet you at the next rally point!
grumpy_old_soldier on June 3, 2008 at 6:20 AM
That’s not the only thing I’ll remember about SPC Ross McGinnis and the Men he saved. I’ll remember that they saved my family and me from a life of dhimmitude and slavery, and that there just isn’t enough I can do to thank him, his family, his shipmates, and our leadership for opposing that evil ideology that insists it is OK to separate my head from my neck for whom I believe in as the Almighty being.
Thank you SPC McGinnis. Thank you, to the McGinnis family.
Press on.
Subsunk
Subsunk on June 3, 2008 at 6:24 AM
I can’t add much to the words above. I salute SPC McGinnis and offer condolences to his family.
dogsoldier on June 3, 2008 at 6:36 AM
So young, so Brave. Tears.
May God the Father Almighty rest his Soul and comfort his family.
Zorro on June 3, 2008 at 6:38 AM
our heroes are AWESOME.
we owe them our freedom.
reliapundit on June 3, 2008 at 6:42 AM
…
jerrytbg on June 3, 2008 at 6:44 AM
Found this a while back. Seems appropriate.
DEFINITION OF A VETERAN
A Veteran – whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The “United States of America”, for an amount of “up to and including my life.”
That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.
– Author Unknown
Tom
marinetbryant on June 3, 2008 at 6:56 AM
We have a name for people like this; we call them heroes.
pilamaye on June 3, 2008 at 7:36 AM
“When you guys get home and face an antiwar protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at
his girlfriend, because she knows she’s dating a pussy.”
-Commanding General 1st Marine Division
Alden Pyle on June 3, 2008 at 7:52 AM
Peace to this young soldier, his parents, relatives and all that called him friend.
moxie_neanderthal on June 3, 2008 at 8:36 AM
You probably don’t calculate what to do in a situation like that, you rely purely on your instincts…his instincts was to serve, and honor our country
In a war, the outcome of success of a mission is never really known by the soldier, but they know that failure is unacceptable.
In his soul he never weighed success, but he understood there could be no failure.
He was unfailing in his defense of his country, another’s country, and unfailing in his defense of his brothers.
What everyone wants in life he achieved, an unfailing attitude.
He upheld every statement of honor we can bestow on a man…unfailing in honor and service to others.
right2bright on June 3, 2008 at 8:42 AM
Prayers going up to hold the family in the light and bring them peace.
What an amazing man they raised.
bridgetown on June 3, 2008 at 9:14 AM
Alden Pyle on June 3, 2008 at 7:52 AM
I’d never heard that. I like it!!
bridgetown on June 3, 2008 at 9:15 AM
It takes some serious seeds to throw your body onto a grenade; I wonder what was going through this soldier’s mind as he waited for it to explode?
I look at guys like him the same way I look at Secret Service people, when all your natural instincts tell you to take cover you instead put yourself in the way of the bullet. This young man had buckets of courage, what a leader he would have made in his later years.
Bishop on June 3, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Squid Shark on June 3, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Wow. With young people like this heroic American, it proves there is hope (not the Obama kind) for America.
God Bless You, Pfc. McGinnis. Well done. A greatful nation owes you a debt of gratitude.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on June 3, 2008 at 9:40 AM
Well done. I enjoyed your work. Best wishes to your lady friend and her family. I hope their terrible loss is somewhat soothed by the pride they should rightly feel.
LimeyGeek on June 3, 2008 at 9:58 AM
BTW, have you seen the new Indy movie? – Lab
Good morning. No, we haven’t been to the theater since ‘300′ and I can’t remember when before that. I’d like to see it, but without a babysitter, I guess we’ll have to wait for the DVD.
I’ll remember that they saved my family and me from a life of dhimmitude and slavery – Sub
Oh God, if only we could get the rest of Free World to understan this!
Tony737 on June 3, 2008 at 10:16 AM
http://www.history.army.mil/moh.html
davidk on June 3, 2008 at 10:26 AM
No greater love…
profitsbeard on June 3, 2008 at 10:42 AM
I balled over this,we need more people who will put their life on the line for others.I hope I can leave this world in such a selfless honorable fashion. I would give up my life if it would bring him back. eath
ethanthom.allan on June 3, 2008 at 10:46 AM
On an NCIS episode a charcter was a MOH awardee. He had the medal around his neck, and when he showed it to two Marines, they snapped to and saluted.
Is that SOP military protocol toward the medal or was it simply showing respect and honor to the man?
davidk on June 3, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Courtesy, not regulation. I saluted a retired sgtmaj MOH recipient even though I outrank him
Squid Shark on June 3, 2008 at 11:15 AM
I like that. Not preachy, but it makes the point and honors their memory and the service of their comrades.
peski on June 3, 2008 at 11:27 AM
RIP. Hero Pfc. Ross A. McGinnis RIP
Texyank on June 3, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Words fail and tears fall for this young hero. May God comfort his family.
Pat in NC on June 3, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Brutal stuff. He made the sacrifice for his buddies and his country.
AYNBLAND. You are a fool. You know nothing whatsoever about Iraq or you would not have written that total nonsense.
lexhamfox on June 3, 2008 at 12:35 PM
And you do?
Please enlighten us…
right2bright on June 3, 2008 at 1:10 PM
I worry at times that our nation is producing a crop of young people not up to the task…but then I read stories like this and all is well. God Bless this young man’s family and friends. Truly an inspirational story about a real American hero!
sabbott on June 3, 2008 at 2:27 PM
It’s impossible to adequatly honor such a hero. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis.
oakpack on June 3, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Women did have it easier under Hussein. Iraq was more secular and far less fundimentalist.
Squid Shark on June 3, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Honor these heroes by never ever taking freedom and the life of luxury we have for granted.
myamphibian on June 3, 2008 at 4:30 PM
This stuff just breaks me up. I have a smile and a tear. It’s so wonderful and so awful all wrapped into one. He epitomizes a wonderfully honorable life and the type of actions that leads to a movie like 300 made over 2,000 years later.
Sultry Beauty on June 3, 2008 at 4:36 PM
To me and all of you:
“Earn this”
( ‘Captain Miller’ to ‘Private Ryan’ )
Janos Hunyadi on June 3, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Janos Hunyadi
The coolest name on HotAir!
Tony737 on June 3, 2008 at 5:38 PM
God speed.
Mojave Mark on June 3, 2008 at 7:27 PM
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