Remember John W. Finn this Memorial Day

[Elhuero]

On December 7, 1941 John W. Finn manned a .50 cal machine gun and fired it at attacking japanese warplanes for two hours. He was completely exposed and got hit by bullets and shrapnel 21 times. After getting medical attention he helped to rearm returning planes.

He passed away today at age 100, the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from Pearl Harbor.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/vp/37388239#37388239

For extraordinary heroism, distinguished service, and devotion above and beyond the call of duty. During the first attack by Japanese airplanes on the Naval Air Station, Kanoehe Bay, on 7 December 1941, Lieutenant Finn promptly secured and manned a 50-caliber machine gun mounted on an instruction stand in a completely exposed section of the parking ramp, which was under heavy enemy machine-gun strafing fire. Although painfully wounded many times, he continued to man this gun and to return the enemy's fire vigorously and with telling effect throughout the enemy strafing and bombing attacks and with complete disregard for his own personal safety. It was only by specific orders that he was persuaded to leave his post to seek medical attention. Following first-aid treatment, although obviously suffering much pain and moving with great difficulty, he returned to the squadron area and actively supervised the rearming of returning planes. His extraordinary heroism and conduct in this action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

[Colorado Luckydog]

[Beer][Beer][Beer]

[68Charger]

Thank you for the example, I will salute all who have served for our country this weekend, but will say a specific prayer for Lt. Finn and his family... that he would be an example to all who serve in his memory.

[GreenScoutII]

Now Valhalla is full. Rest in peace.

[sniper7]

[Beer]

[bjl913]

Now Valhalla is full. Rest in peace.

[Beer]

RIP Lt. Finn. You have made your country VERY proud!

[StagLefty]

What an honor it would have been to sit with him and listen to his 100 years.RIP

[Byte Stryke]

/Salute

A fine Patriot indeed

[Salute]

[Glock Shooter]

THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! You will live on in our memories. I only wish you made 50 children to carry on in your honor!!!

[BigBear]

Should put this is that "Inspirational men" thread.

[Elhuero]

done

[theGinsue]

After reading the OP, I decided to do a little of my own research on (Lt) John W. Finn.

Mr. Finn performed truly heroically at Pearl Harbor (Kaneohe Bay) on December 7, 1941. It is doubtless that many lived through that day thanks to his efforts.

Sadly, I also read about the horrible way Mr. Finn was treated by United airlines and airport security on Tuesday, June 25, 2002. (http://www.homeofheroes.com/talkingpoints/0207_finn.html) Even if Mr. Finn were just an ordinary man, the manner in which he was treated, as an elderly and physically limited individual is reprehensible. It is all the worse when you take into account that he IS a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, and he had his medal on his person during this entire chain of events. No one person had any idea what the medal meant.

We, Americans (in general), are quick to idolize those who entertain us. These are athletes and actors/actresses, singers and even those who don't do anything - but they're in the media 24/7 (Paris Hilton comes to mind here). Every one of these individuals gets rich and spoiled by the attention; raking in millions of dollars and laughing at us on their way to the bank. They feel they "deserve" it all (and more).

Wouldn't it be nice if, for once, we idolized those true public servants (I'm NOT talking about politicians here!). Teachers, Law Enforcement Officers (the good ones), Firefighters, and the members of our military. These are our real heroes!

[BigBear]

Wouldn't it be nice if, for once, we idolized those true public servants: Teachers, Law Enforcement Officers (the good ones), Firefighters, and the members of our military. These are our real heroes!

This will never happen en masse. I'm a pessimist.

Why? Because of the media machine and the onslaught dedegradtion of standards and morals. Money is king.

Military versus Football: Military and Athelete train year round to be proficient in what they do.

- Athelete trains in physical stamina and memorizes only their duty to a playbook that consists of some 40 odd consistent plays to occur during a 100 yard stretch. They win, they get hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars and recognition. They lose, they get hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars and "get 'em next time".

- Military trains in physical and psychological stamina to have the cognizent power to ascertain whether to pull the trigger and end another beings life in the blink of eye. They memorize not only their, but the whole teams role and what to do should something unexpected happen. Their playbook consists of thousands of scenarios on limitless feilds. They win, they get to come home to the protesting of the citizens that they are protecting. They lose, they die.

Firefighters:
- Train everyday and often work 24+ hour shifts to risk their lives to save your stupid life because the idiot thought that it would be fine to leave dinner cooking on the stove while she went shopping and left her kids home alone. Firefighters suffer smoke inhalation and she asks if they could go back in and get the damn TV out cause it's brandnew!

Even in the teachers' world things are skewed.
Etc....

It's a bad situation. Until people start dying to themselves and living for their neighbors/friends/etc... it'll just get worse. But what do I know, I'm just a kid.