Mike Paschall . com

Yesterday I walked through an ocean of white tombstones, but I went to visit one in particular.  No, not Kennedy’s… another one.  I stumbled, quite by accident, on this story a couple weeks ago.  I’ve had some interaction with this soldier’s parents.  They’re good people.  As I draw within a couple weeks of being done with this 2 year writing project, I wanted you to be acquainted with this kid.  We complain too much about things that really don’t matter.  My thanks to Ross for such a display of what it means to love well.  -MDP-

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17, NIV

I do not know this kid, but I have communicated with his parents.  Today, I want us to prayerfully read and consider the implications of this citation for Ross A. McGinnis.

Medal of Honor Citation

President George Bush presents the Medal of Honor to the parents of Ross McGinnis

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an M2 .50-caliber Machine Gunner, 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Adhamiyah, Northeast Baghdad, Iraq, on December 4, 2006. That afternoon his platoon was conducting combat control operations in an effort to reduce and control sectarian violence in the area. While Private McGinnis was manning the M2 .50-caliber Machine Gun, a fragmentation grenade thrown by an insurgent fell through the gunner’s hatch into the vehicle. Reacting quickly, he yelled “grenade,” allowing all four members of his crew to prepare for the grenade’s blast. Then, rather than leaping from the gunner’s hatch to safety, Private McGinnis made the courageous decision to protect his crew. In a selfless act of bravery, in which he was mortally wounded, Private McGinnis covered the live grenade, pinning it between his body and the vehicle and absorbing most of the explosion. Private McGinnis’ gallant action directly saved four men from certain serious injury or death. Private First Class McGinnis’ extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Spc. McGinnis was 19 years old.  There are many ways to develop today’s wisdom message.  But, what I want us to take away today is simple:  friends, family, brothers, and sisters do what is necessary to protect each other when danger, adversity and storms winds blow.  We need to appreciate the real friends that we have and dedicate ourselves to be better to them in return.

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/ramcginnis.htm

http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/mcginnis/

The McGinnis family recommends for donations:

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/