Everyone needs to read this short letter!

A Letter from Hobby Lobby Stores CEO
By David Green, the founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

When my family and I started our company 40 years ago, we were working out of a garage on a $600 bank loan, assembling miniature picture frames. Our first retail store wasn't much bigger than most people's living rooms, but we had faith that we would succeed if we lived and worked according to God's word. From there, Hobby Lobby has become one of the nation's largest arts and crafts retailers, with more than 500 locations in 41 states. Our children grew up into fine business leaders, and today we run Hobby Lobby together, as a family.

We're Christians, and we run our business on Christian principles. I've always said that the first two goals of our business are (1) to run our business in harmony with God's laws, and (2) to focus on people more than money. And that's what we've tried to do. We close early so our employees can see their families at night. We keep our stores closed on Sundays, one of the week's biggest shopping days, so that our workers and their families can enjoy a day of rest. We believe that it is by God's grace that Hobby Lobby has endured, and he has blessed us and our employees. We've not only added jobs in a weak economy, we've raised wages for the past four years in a row. Our full-time employees start at 80% above minimum wage.

But now, our government threatens to change all of that. A new government health care mandate says that our family business MUST provide what I believe are abortion-causing drugs as part of our health insurance. Being Christians, we don't pay for drugs that might cause abortions, which means that we don't cover emergency contraception, the morning-after pill or the week-after pill. We believe doing so might end a life after the moment of conception, something that is contrary to our most important beliefs. It goes against the Biblical principles on which we have run this company since day one. If we refuse to comply, we could face $1.3 million PER DAY in government fines.

Our government threatens to fine job creators in a bad economy. Our government threatens to fine a company that's raised wages four years running. Our government threatens to fine a family for running its business according to its beliefs. It's not right. I know people will say we ought to follow the rules; that it's the same for everybody. But that's not true. The government has exempted thousands of companies from this mandate, for reasons of convenience or cost. But it won't exempt them for reasons of religious belief.

So, Hobby Lobby  and my family  are forced to make a choice. With great reluctance, we filed a lawsuit today, represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, asking a federal court to stop this mandate before it hurts our business. We don't like to go running into court, but we no longer have a choice. We believe people are more important than the bottom line and that honoring God is more important than turning a profit.

My family has lived the American dream. We want to continue growing our company and providing great jobs for thousands of employees, but the government is going to make that much more difficult. The government is forcing us to choose between following our faith and following the law. I say that's a choice no American and no American business should have to make.
The government cannot force you to follow laws that go against your fundamental religious belief. They have exempted thousands of companies but will not except Christian organizations including the Catholic church.

Since you will not see this covered in any of the liberal media, pass this on to all your contacts.
Sincerely,
David Green, CEO and Founder of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

So... I could comment for hours, perhaps all day long, non stop about this letter, but I won't. 

(I added the boldness and underlines in places)

Post your comments and let's see what you have to say about this!

Veterans day

PLEASE SEND THIS ON. THE FINAL  INSPECTION The Soldier stood and faced God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass..

'Step forward now,Soldier ,

How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek?

To My Church have you been true?'

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,

'No, Lord, I guess I ain't.

Because those of us who carry guns,

Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,

And at times my talk was tough.

And sometimes I've been violent,

Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,

That wasn't mine to keep...

Though I worked a lot of overtime,

When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear..

And sometimes, God, forgive me,

I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,

Among the people here.

They never wanted me around,

Except to calm their fears

If you've a place for me here, Lord,

It needn't be so grand.

I never expected or had too much,

But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,

Where the saints had often trod.

As the Soldier waited quietly,

For the judgment of his God.

'Step forward now, you Soldier,

You've borne your burdens well.

Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,

You've done your time in Hell.'

Author Unknown~

It's the Soldier, not the reporter 
Who has given us the freedom of the press.

It's the Soldier, not the poet, 
Who has given us the freedom of speech.

It's the Soldier, not the politicians 
That ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness..

It's the Soldier who salutes the flag, 
Who serves beneath the flag, 
And whose coffin is draped by the flag.

If you care to offer the smallest token of recognition and appreciation for the Military, 
Please pass this on and pray for our men and women 
Who have served and are currently serving our country 
And pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom....

HIGH SCHOOL -- 1957 vs. 2010

Scenario 1:
Jack goes quail hunting before school and then pulls into the school parking lot with his shotgun in his truck's gun rack.

1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.
2010 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.  

Scenario 2:
Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.

1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.
2010 - Police called and SWAT team arrives -- they arrest both Johnny and Mark. They are both charged with assault and both expelled even though Johnny started it

Scenario 3:
Jeffrey will not be still in class, he disrupts other students.

1957 - Jeffrey sent to the Principal's office and given a good paddling by the Principal. He then returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2010 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. He becomes a zombie. He is then tested for ADD. The family gets extra money (SSI) from the government because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario 4:
Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.

1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college and becomes a successful businessman.
2010 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. The state psychologist is told by Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has an affair with the psychologist. 

Scenario 5:
Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school..

1957 - Mark shares his aspirin with the Principal out on the smoking dock
2010 - The police are called and Mark is expelled from school for drug violations. His car is then searched for drugs and weapons.  

Scenario 6:
Pedro fails high school English.

1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.
2010 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against the state school system and Pedro's English teacher English is then banned from core curriculum. Pedro is given his diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English  

Scenario 7:
Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from the Fourth of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle and blows up a red ant bed.

1957 - Ants die.
2010 - ATF, Homeland Security and the FBI are all called. Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism. The FBI investigates his parents -- and all siblings are removed from their home and all computers are confiscated. Johnny's dad is placed on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again. 

Scenario 8:
Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.

1957 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2010 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.   

MA addresses a liberals letter

""You cannot strenghten the weak by weaking the strong" Honest Ab"

A rising tide lifts all boats!

I want no one weak--the goal, dear one, is to strenghten our country![MA]  People do this, not Government

I don't know what business you are in, but I think I heard you sell farm/ranch equipment.  Well, if your neighbors are not successful, then they won't be able to buy new tractors.  If you are in the cattle business, you need consumers to purchase your product. [MA] I Know a little about my business, but thank you for your input, you make my whole point for this blog Your writings seem to suggest that you think success and policy should be based on what is best for YOU...ME, ME, ME...[MA] No one can read that into what I say, or write about in my blog. I will always take care of myself and not rely on what you or government can do for me that is what you are worried about.   Let there be no mistake, I'll defend my family and my country to end of my days[MA]  I understand your thoughts but to defend your country you need to go back and read what made your country great and, what is was that the founding fathers feared--but somehow through spending time with my grandparents, I have a deep, and abiding love for my fellow man.[MA]  I love all people and wish only the best for them. That is why a government nanny state is soooo appalling to me. It destroys people, always has, always will  We am not in this world alone.  I need my country as much as it needs me to be productive, healthy and CONTRIBUTING (which means paying my fair share of taxes and no more.) [MA] But you think that financially successful people owe more that you or me?  I think the corporations that were too big to fail were bailed out[MA]  That is to bad. No one and nothing in this world is to big to fail…just a fact. The other part is that those business or governments fail for a reason. GM should have gone under and others would have learned from those mistakes and risen to take their place. The government (in it’s over stepping) demonstrated that they (large evil money makers) don’t need to show responsibility…bad, very bad idea to promote --and I actually thought that had we not done that, then the country would be in a depression.[MA]  almost 10% unemployment, real unemployment at just under 20%, currency that is lacking in value, government at the brink of bankruptcy, weak world presents and you think this is a better path? The people who lived through a real deep depression understood personal responsibility. We have very little of that now. People have been conditioned to rely on the government and not their own actions It was tough and I don't like the deficit and I don't like paying more taxes than my share. [MA] no one does. But what is your share? How much does the government need to operate? What is the basic responsibility of government? Is it to regulated school bake sales? To sue a state for trying to protect its boarders? Is it to provide retirement and health care for its citizens? Is it to make certain meats are illegal to eat? (yes, you can go to jail for eating horse meat, even if it’s a common dish in Europe. Because it is so healthily, it was a staple for our military for years, it’s just not politically correct now days. I wonder, what is next?) Is it to tell us what car to drive or light bulb to use? Is it to condone, promote and fund killing of unborn children?  Is it to take 50% of your personal wealth when you die? Or is it to regulate news (freedom of speech act) What is the role of Government? Funny, with all the information we have available to us, many people do not know what the views of the founders of this nation said about the role of government. They were not so concerned about what a big government could do for you, but what it would do to you! However, now that the corporations [MA] Nice to hear all is well with them now are strong again as evidenced by the stock market and the salaries they are paying their CEOs,[MA]  Only a liberal would consider a salary as a means to measure a company’s solvency. Perhaps it shows something very different?   then now is the time for them to step up and pay their fair share of taxes.[MA]  Ha ha, what is their fair share? Who says what a fair share is? If we all and I mean every American paid 10% in taxes, would this not be fair?  Remember, by eliminating the top 1% tax cut approved during Bush's time, will still leave these 1% with lower taxes then when Reagan was in the White House. [MA] Why would that bother you and what does that have to do with fairness?   You can't have your cake and eat it too,[MA]  What cake??? I will make my own cake and eat it anytime I please thank you. I don’t need the Government giving me cake, telling when, or how much of, or what kind I can eat if you are serious about the deficit--and you should be--then the revenue and the expense side have to be addresssed.  Just like your home budget. [MA] I pretty much make a set amount and I don’t see that changing very soon so, I keep my spending in line with my income. This is very much different than the government that will not be responsible about its spending and will raise its income by raising taxes on those who are taking responsibility with their personal spending. And, do so in very hard economic times.  I can't wait to see how the John Boehner plans to cut spending.  I'll hope he means it, because it does need to happen. [MA] Me too, but with any cuts (just like not going out to dinner as often) people will complain…because they have forgot how to cook for themselves Take that tea and steep it.[Bruce]  Hmmm, good tea today

....

Remember real Americans?

Remember when most everyone loved our country? Loved, supported and defended it with their lives and wealth.

Contrast the words from these two Great Americans with who we have in our public offices right now. I don’t have to spell it out here. If you need help, just go back into the archives of this blog. I’m sure you will find interesting words and actions posted there from a few public servants.

Question for you this weekend; 

How far has our society fallen from the views and vision of those two men?

What is the cause of such a decline?

Can it be reversed by politicians?  

It is our fault, our parents fault or our kids fault?

Who do we blame and when to we as American citizens, Mothers and Fathers…stand up and make a change in our lives! 

When do we set limits on acceptable behavior?

When will  we raise the bar? 

When will we demand the same of our friends, family and others?

Will you continue to walk in the gray area?

Will you contiune to "can't we all just get along"

Will you start taking responsibility for yourself or will you give up your freedom and become a servant of the government because taking a stand opens you up for judgment and ridicule?

Hmmm,

LIVE FREE OR DIE

....

 .....

Family discussion on the state of the union;

I was bless with a childhood where the adults would engage in very lively political discussions. Our family is very large and very close, even if we do go to the throat when speaking about the role of government in our lives.


It is very interesting to me how family members with back grounds very much alike, could have such totally different views on political issues.

Case in point is a letter to which I was copied. The letter was to a conservative mother from her daughter asking her to stop sending/forwarding this junk, (a e-mail view point on the government and Muslims).

I will include part of the discussion here so all extremist will fully understand that we can disagree with each other and still show love and respect when engaged in a debate;

For goodness sake mother! Stop sending this junk. These are true, sure....but you have listed 13 horrific incidents here that all involve Muslims, all true. However, think of the horrific events that Catholic priests have done? Think of the red-neck anti-government people like Timothy McVeigh and his counter-parts? Think of David Karesh and the killing he did?



To continue to perpectuate Muslims as the bad guys, when HUMANS through the GRACE OF GOD all have free will. It is the free will within all of us that is either good or evil.


You must know that there are many honorable, loving Muslims.


This sort of hateful perpetuation of stero-typing sound bites is so anti-American, anti Christian and so narrow minded, I continue to be shocked that you buy into it.


Love you, however.


http://www.madamerican.blogspot.com/ says, killem all, let God sort them out. By the way, how is the hope and change working out

Love ya all, stay healthily and safe!

Ps, really miss the Thanksgiving get together…and the lively discussions 

Hi Bruce,


Hope and change is working quite well, thank you dear cousin. Our country has stemmed the tide of financial ruin while insuring that you dear one won't get dropped from your insurance because you got ill. It took all Americans to get us into the greedy financial mess we were in and it will take ALL Americans to get us out. This devisive 'kill them all' mentality I think it is the biggest danger to democracy since we became a nation of free people! I pray it stops before God can't tell the al Queda extemists from the ones born right here.

Ha ha, O, .....

I do love you all

Still, never understood how people can have such tunnel vision. This view, that we are out of financial trouble, is not based on anything but a feeling or a need to have that feeling. Facts simply prove otherwise and the recent spending has us on a road to collapse. It is unsustainable and no reasonable person can argue otherwise.

All Americans did not get us into this spending mess. We were attacked by a group whose goal is to eliminate us from the face of the earth, this is their life pursuit. We are at war with them because many of us want to continue living free. Our governments main calling is to protect us, the citizens from outside threats and to secure our borders. The main cause of our current financial position is a direct cause of over spending on the entitlement programs. The housing collapse was caused solely by our good intentioned government. “Everyone has the right to own a home”. Then the liberal controlled congress said it was just fine (mandatory or they could be fined for discrimination) for the banks to lend to people who could not pay the loan back. The tax payers would guaranty it. It was not greed that caused this. It was simply an attitude that we are owed something. Even if we can’t afford it, it’s our right to have it mentality. And to make the citizens love their elected official (daddy) the government said, here, take all the candy you want and I will get you more. No one stopped to see who really provided the candy, or how long they would be able to provide the candy.

Ha ha, the “Killem all” statement is simply a over stated mockery of the (can’t we all just get along) perception from the letters I read.

To study the bible, a student would know that there are two very distinct family lines. The Koran and it’s teachings confirm what the Bible teaches about those family lines. Rest assured that God will sort them all out.

One more little side line note; I have a copy of “The Declaration of Independence. The Constitution of the United States.” It fits in my shirt pocket. A health care plan that is over 2,600 pages long is an abortion. If a comprehensive reform cannot be written in 10 pages then we need to elect representatives that are not lawyers and that are smart enough to write something short and simple.

Our American people will correct the Obama (ever taken the time to look at his appointees?) mess by throwing those bums out and electing citizens with conservative, intelligent, perspectives.

Because you have a opposite political view point from me and most Americans, please, feel free to start your day at my blog site. Very soon you will be able to see and hear me daily as I sip coffee in the morning and express my views to the world.

http://www.madamerican.blogspot.com/

Wish me luck and success, I know you will

Love ya and say hi to all!


I hope I can get more of my family involved in this blog discussion because they all are very bright people who stand by their convictions.


Such open discussion of the issues it a huge benefit to all Americans.

We all need to understand that “we can agree to disagree” and then watch a football game or play a game of cards. It's what family is about!

Send me a note or leave a comment below;
Have a great day!

......

If men were Angles, and other words of wisdom

"If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself." --James Madison, Federalist No. 51, 1788

"Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one; for when we suffer or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, which we might expect in a country without government, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer." --Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776

"I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious." --Thomas Jefferson


When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe .
Thomas Jefferson

"Remember democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide." --John Adams, letter to John Taylor, 1814

Religion in a Family is at once its brightest Ornament & its best Security." --Samuel Adams, letter to Thomas Wells, 1780

"And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever." --Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 18, 1781

“Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” (James 3:16, NLT)

"The foundation of national morality must be laid in private families. ... How is it possible that Children can have any just Sense of the sacred Obligations of Morality or Religion if, from their earliest Infancy, they learn their Mothers live in habitual Infidelity to their fathers, and their fathers in as constant Infidelity to their Mothers?" --John Adams, Diary, 1778

Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality. It is the words that speak boldly of your intentions. And the actions which speak louder than the words. It is making the time when there is none. Coming through time after time after time, year after year after year. Commitment is the stuff character is made of; the power to change the face of things. It is the daily triumph of integrity over skepticism.

~ Abraham Lincoln


If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time with a tremendous whack.QUOTE: Success, Emerson
~ Winston Churchill

Always do right. This will surprise some people and astonish the rest.

~ Mark Twain




"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Bless our troops on this day

'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.


"Our own Country's Honor, all call upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion, and if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world. Let us therefore rely upon the goodness of the Cause, and the aid of the supreme Being, in whose hands Victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and noble Actions - The Eyes of all our Countrymen are now upon us, and we shall have their blessings, and praises, if happily we are the instruments of saving them from the Tyranny mediated against them. Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and shew the whole world, that a Freeman contending for Liberty on his own ground is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth." --George Washington, General Orders, 1776
....

Smile, and the whole world smiles with you

One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied, "I cannot accept money from you; I'm doing community service this week." The florist was pleased and left the shop.

When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a "thank you" card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.

Later, a police officer came in for a haircut and, when he tried to pay his bill, the barber again replied, "I cannot accept money from you; I'm doing community service this week." The officer was happy and left the shop.

The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a "thank you" card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.

A Congressman came in for a haircut and, when he went to pay his bill, the barber again replied, "I can not accept money from you; I'm doing community service this week." The Congressman was very happy and left the shop.

The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen Congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut. And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.

________________________________________


Stories about children and their views of the world are always touching.

A father watched his young son playing in the yard, and he smiled as he reflected on how sweet and pure his little boy was. Tears formed in his eyes as he thought about him seeing the wonders of nature through such innocent eyes. Suddenly he just stopped and stared at the ground. He went over to him to see what work of God had captured his attention.

He noticed he was looking at two spiders.

"Daddy, what are those two spiders doing?" he asked.

"They're mating," his father replied.

"What do you call this spider?" he asked, pointing.

"It's a Daddy Longlegs," his father answered.

"So, the other one is a Mommy Longlegs?" the little boy asked.

As his heart soared with the joy of such a cute and innocent question he replied, "No son. Both of them are Daddy Longlegs."

"The little boy, looking a little puzzled, thought for a moment, then lifted his foot and stomped them flat.

"Well," he said, "that may be OK in California, but we're not going to stand for that sort of behavior in the high desert country of Central Oregon!"

...

Proud to be an American

Those of you who might not know, the man on the left is the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and he is proud to know the man on the right.

Maybe you'd like to hear about a real American, somebody who honored the uniform he wears

Meet Brian Chontosh

Churchville-Chili Central School

Class of 1991.
Proud graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technolog
Husband and about-to-be father. First lieutenant (now Captain) in the United States Marine Corps. And a genuine hero, the secretary of the Navy said so yesterday.

At 29 Palms in California Brian Chontosh was presented with the Navy Cross, the second highest award for combat bravery the United States can bestow.

That's a big deal. But you won't see it on the network news tonight
And all you'll read in Brian's home town newspaper is two paragraphs of nothing.

The odd fact about the American media in this war is that it's not covering the American military. The most plugged-in nation in the world is receiving virtually no true information about what its warriors are doing.

Oh, sure, there's a body count. We know how many Americans have fallen. And we see those same casket pictures day in and day out.

And we're almost on a first-name basis with the jerks who abused the Iraqi prisoners. And we know all about improvised explosive devices and how we lost Fallujah and what Arab public-opinion polls say about us and how the world hates us.

We get a non-stop feed of gloom and doom but we don't hear about the heroes.

The incredibly brave GIs who honorably do their duty. The ones our grandparents would have carried on their shoulders down Fifth Avenue .

The ones we completely ignore, like Brian Chontosh.

It was a year ago on the march into Baghdad . Brian Chontosh was a platoon leader rolling up Highway 1 in a humvee.

When all hell broke loose.

Ambush city.

The young Marines were being cut to ribbons. Mortars, machine guns, rocket propelled grenades.

And the kid out of Churchville was in charge. It was do or die and it was up to him.

So he moved to the side of his column, looking for a way to lead his men to safety. As he tried to poke a hole through the Iraqi line his humvee came under direct enemy machine gun fire. It was fish in a barrel and the Marines were the fish. And Brian Chontosh gave the order to attack...

He told his driver to floor the humvee directly at the machine gun emplacement that was firing at them. And he had the guy on top with the 50 cal unload on them.

Within moments there were Iraqis slumped across their machine guns and Chontosh was still advancing, ordering his driver now to take the humvee directly into the Iraqi trench that was attacking his Marines...

Over into the battlement the humvee went and out the door Brian Chontosh bailed, carrying an M16 and a Beretta and 228 years of Marine Corps pride.

And he ran along the trench, with its mortars and riflemen, machine guns and grenadiers. And he killed them all.He fought with the M16 until it was out of ammo. Then he fought with the Beretta until it was out of ammo. Then he picked up a dead man's AK4 and fought with that until it was out of ammo. Then he picked up another dead man's AK47 and fought with that until it was out of ammo.

At one point he even fired a discarded Iraqi RPG into an enemy cluster, sending attackers flying with its grenade explosion.
When he was done Brian Chontosh had cleared 200 yards of entrenched Iraqis from his platoon's flank. He had killed more than 20 and wounded at least as many more.

But that's probably not how he would tell it. He would probably merely say that his Marines were in trouble, and he got them out of trouble. Ooh-rah, and drive on.

"By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, 1st Lt. Chontosh reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."

That's what the citation says.

And that's what nobody will hear.

That's what doesn't seem to be making the evening news.

Accounts of American valor are dismissed by the press as propaganda, yet accounts of American difficulties are heralded as objectivity... It makes you wonder if the role of the media is to inform or to depress - to report or to deride. To tell the truth, or to feed us lies.

But I guess it doesn't matter. We're going to turn out all right as long as men like Brian Chontosh wear our uniform.

If you are as proud of this Marine as I am, then send tthis blog to EVERYONE YOU KNOW