United States and It's Fabulous 50

by Ron White

His name was Jason Dunham and he was a corporal in the United States Marines. The story picks up with Jason as he was talking with the men in his unit. They wondered whether a person could jump on a grenade and survive by putting it under his helmet. Deep down they all knew that it most likely wouldn't work, yet on the streets of Baghdad all topics of conversation can soon become quickly exhausted and hypothetical solutions to real-life problems can pass the time.

Unfortunately for Jason Dunham, the circumstance that he had hypothesized about arrived just a few weeks later. However, fortunately for his unit, Corporal Jason Dunham was there. In this life and death scenario, there is no time to think. There is only time for fight or flight. Jason chose fight and performed above and beyond the call of duty. He threw his helmet and body over a grenade and gave his life for his friends. Jason was nominated for The Congressional Medal of Honor. He was 20 years old.

Your stance on political matters or world issues is irrelevant in this scenario. Jason did not do this for you. He did not do it for the people of Baghdad. He didn't do it for the U.S. government or a politician. He did it for the men beside him, period.

To give your life for your friends is perhaps the greatest thing one person can do for another. It is also one of the rarest acts of civilization.

In 1981, shots rang out and bullets screamed through the air to pierce the flesh of the 40th President of the United States. No sooner had the gun powder been ignited than secret service agent Tim McCarthy stood up as straight as a board and extended his arms to make himself a large barrier between would-be assassin John Hinckley and President Reagan. While others ran for cover, Agent McCarthy stood looking directly at his potential death with firm resolve. Tim was shot square in the chest and, believe it or not, that was exactly his goal. As he positioned himself spread eagle to take a bullet for a man, an office and a nation, others cowered in trembling fear. Because of amazing grace, agent McCarthy survived.

What causes men and women to lay down their lives for another? It takes a lot. First and foremost, it takes a realization that life isn't about you. It is about making a difference, about making an impact and about giving.

Jason Dunham and Tim McCarthy were able to respond the way they did because:

• They decided how they were going to respond long before the event occurred.
• They were not selfish people – the farthest you could be from selfish, as a matter of fact.
• They realized that life was not about them; it was about making a difference – it was about others.

I hope with all my heart you are never placed in a situation where you have to choose between your life and those around you. Yet, every day you are in situations where you have to make choices. You must decide right now how you will respond.

The lesson to extract from the lives of Corporal Dunham and Agent McCarthy is that of an overall attitude on life. That attitude, simply put, is that it is better to give than receive. It is honorable to view the lives and well-being of others above yourself. If we can take any pearl of wisdom from the extraordinary lives and attitudes of these two men, it is that making an impact on the world is not always about recognition, power, money or personal gain. Sometimes the greatest success is one who gives himself up so others can succeed. That is the mark of the ultimate high achiever.

Decide today how you will respond in your moments of crisis - whether it is financial, personal or life and death. As you plan your actions, remember the selfless lessons of Corporal Dunham and Agent McCarthy.

-- Ron White

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." ~The Declaration of Independence

"Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes." ~Mahatma Gandhi

I think by Dennis Schnathorst.

I think that our forefathers were genius!  To have the forethought to see the future of America and to create and author a document capable of lasting over 233 years.  We are currently unable to agree on issues to last from 1 legislative/congressional session to the next.

I think that athletes and coaches deserve the money that they make!  The athletes draw the fans and the fans idolize them.  That makes the owners investment in the athlete's salary a wise decision.

I think that ALL people, every one of them, should be responsible for their own actions!  If you can't do the time......don't do the crime!  Why is it that almost 100% of the criminals caught for serious crimes in this country plead not guilty?  I understand and respect the 5th amendment, but geesh, are the police that bad that they NEVER get the right guy?  I don't think so!!!

I think that not all politicians are bad!  Not much different than any other profession.

I think that not all politicians are good!  Not much different than any other profession.

I think that abortion is wrong!!!  Unless it's incest or rape, then I think that it should be the woman's choice.  See the "responsible for their own actions" entry!  And the responsible part goes for the woman AND the man!  It takes 2!

I think that the death penalty is too good for the criminal!  I could get very opinionated here, but I'll leave it at that!!

I think that legal immigration is good!

I think that 9-11 was a horrible day for the USA that was comparable to 12-7-41, the attacks on Pearl Harbor!

I think that Pete Rose should be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame (he has taken responsibility for his actions)!

I think that the coincidences between the deaths of Presidents Lincoln and Kennedy are incredible!

I think that I am lucky for having grown up in the 70's & having only 4 channels and "Pong" was my 1st video game!

I think that I should have worked harder at my baseball skills!

I think that the United States Military and their families are heroes!

I think that it's time to go to bed!