The Real Meaning Of Memorial Day

While you are enjoying time with family and friends this weekend, take a few minutes to remember the men and women who have fallen in service to our country.

Men like Specialist Ross McGinnis, United States Army.

The White House announced Friday that a Pennsylvania soldier who jumped on top of a grenade in Iraq and saved the lives of his comrades will posthumously receive the Medal of Honor.

… McGinnis was perched in the gunner's hosta of a Humvee when a grenade sailed past him and into the truck where four other soldiers sat. He shouted a warning to the others, then jumped on the grenade. The grenade, which was lodged near the vehicle's radio, blew up and killed him.

Lt. Col. Anne Edgecomb, an Army spokeswoman, said McGinnis easily could have jumped out of the truck and saved himself.

"The instinct is, jump out of the vehicle, but his four buddies were in the vehicle with him ... and he chose to place himself on top of the grenade and absorb the impact, and it saved their lives," Edgecomb said.

Spc. McGinnis was 19 years old.

You can read about the four previous Medal of Honor recipients in the Global War on Terror here.

For the stories of other American heroes, visit Blackfive and their "Fallen But Never Forgotten" series.

(h/t Hot Air Headlines)

posted by DrewM. at 09:50 PM

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