So there I was.
Wondering about my next post, searching the internet, when I happened upon a San Jose Mercury News article about an heretofore unknown Congressman, at least to me. I read to the end and thought: no one knows this. No one has heard his words. This Sam Johnson guy is a hero. And I thought: I already have a negative award, the Moonbat of the Week; why not a positive award: Today’s Hero?
So:
The award goes to:
Congressman Sam Johnson, (R), Texas (3rd District), is an incredibly-decorated Air Force veteran of 29 years who flew 50 F-86 missions in the Korean War, flew 26 combat missions in the F-4, was shot down over North Vietnam in 1966, spent 7 years as a POW in the “Hanoi Hilton,” 42 months in solitary confinement, and was awarded two Silver Stars, two Legions Of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, one Bronze Star with Valor, two Purple Hearts and many other decorations.
Already a hero.
But in response to our presence in Iraq and in direct counterpoint to John “Moonbat” Murtha, on November 18th Congressman Johnson said:
“Mr. Speaker – I rise today on behalf of the American men and women in uniform – and their families.
“I spent 29 years in the Air Force – served in Korea and Vietnam… and spent seven years as a POW in Vietnam – more than half of that time in solitary confinement.
“I know what it’s like to be far from home – serving your country – risking your life – and hearing that America doesn’t care about you… Your Congress doesn’t care about you. Your Congress just cut all funding for your war. They’re packing up and going home – and leaving you here.
“When I was a POW, I was scared to death when our Congress talked about pulling the plug that I would be left there forever.
“I know what it does to morale – I know what it does to the mission – and so help me God, I will never, ever let our nation make those mistakes again. Never.
“Our men and women in uniform need our full support. They need to know that when they’re in Iraq driving from Camp Blue Diamond to Camp Victory that the Congress is behind them – to give them the best armored trucks they can drive, the best weapons they can fire, and the best ammunition they can use.
“They need to have full faith that a few nay-sayers in Washington won’t cut and run – and leave them high and dry. They need to know these things because that’s mandatory for mission success and troop morale.
“America – and the Congress – must stand behind our men and women in uniform because they stand up for us every minute of every day!
“Any talk – even so much as a murmur – of leaving now– just emboldens the enemy and weakens the resolve of our of troops in the field. That’s dangerous! If you don’t believe me – check out Al Jazeera. This story is on the front page. We can’t do that to our fellow Americans over there.
Just a plain, home-grown American Hero.
Today’s Hero.
Awesome post. Sam Johnson is definitely a hero. We need more men like him.
Once again, thank you for your continued reading of my site and your consistent comments!
Sam Johnson is demonized in the media (just read the SJMN article) but, in my opinion, he herely reflects the world of common sense.
Big White Hat should be proud of Johnson being from his state!
Thank-you soooooo much. I finally figured out the picture thing and I’m very excited. I had to call my computer guru for one thing but otherwise I was able to figure it out. So I have a pic of Mel Gibson on my post today :-).
Great! I left you a tip on photos in the comment section of your newest post also. I’ll go over now and check out the photo!
Can’t beleive I missed this before I posted one like it. I would have linked you too.
Sam is my congressman. I get to vote for him. As soon as you see him, you know he is a hero.
BWH: you are one lucky guy to have a man like Congressman Johnson. When I began to check him further, his words and common sense just struck me, boom.
Here’s a man who has literally dedicated his life to service. And isn’t it odd that you can have two seemingly identical pilots experience roughly the same thing, both enter politics, and both turn out, in many ways, so diametrically opposed — though they both claim the same party affiliation.
Wow.
Mr. Sam is a great guy, very *common sense* and quitelevel headed… He’s my congresscritter too… And we love the guy…
I like your blog BZ… Found you thru BWH… Drop in and visit some time…
Most incredible post. I almost cried reading it. What a great idea to have ‘today’s hero’ as well as the ‘moonbat’ awards.
This is a blatant example of the MSM bias. They praise McCain with his comments which are hurting our troops, and pass of Johnson who is just as, if not more, credible than McCain. Johnson doesn’t have to appease anyone on the right or left, so his opinion should be the one they accept, not McCain who has prostituted his vietnam experience for political gain.
sorry, this raises the hair on my neck when I think about it.
As far as I’m concerned, a man like this is what America is all about. He served and served his country, gave his all, could have become bitter from his experience as a prisoner but no — he came back, ran for Congress, won a seat, and continues to serve for the great state of Texas.
Men like this can’t be bought, can’t be created, can’t be ignored. But they sure as hell should be emulated and classified as heroic and as role models.
TexasFred: thank you VERY much for visiting my blog, and I hope you come back frequently! I live in Fornicalia and, in some strange fashion, knowing that people from a straightforward state like Texas read me is heartening. With luck, you’ve likewise found the digital home of Big White Hat as well!
Welcome aboard, sir!
It’s not only a great post, it’s a great blog. I’ve never been here before but found you on Texas Fred’s blog. I’m extremely impressed. A Moonbat award and a Hero award! Wish I had thought of that! 🙂
Oh, and Murtha definitely deserves the Moonbat award, hands down!
Gayle: So darned cool!! Another viewer!! Welcome aboard to you, Gayle, and may you come back again and again! Thanks for visiting — I’ll have to check out your domain as well!
Thanks for the compliments, indeed!!