Congrats Our Life!!!!!!

Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Coxswain Nick Erickson (US Navy) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on May 11, 1898, on board USS Marblehead. His citation reads:

On board the U.S.S. Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Erickson set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

Staff Sergeant Henry E. Erwin (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on April 12, 1945, at Koriyama, Japan. His citation reads:

He was the radio operator of a B-29 airplane leading a group formation to attack Koriyama, Japan. He was charged with the additional duty of dropping phosphoresce smoke bombs to aid in assembling the group when the launching point was reached. Upon entering the assembly area, aircraft fire and enemy fighter opposition was encountered. Among the phosphoresce bombs launched by S/Sgt. Erwin, 1 proved faulty, exploding in the launching chute, and shot back into the interior of the aircraft, striking him in the face. The burning phosphoresce obliterated his nose and completely blinded him. Smoke filled the plane, obscuring the vision of the pilot. S/Sgt. Erwin realized that the aircraft and crew would be lost if the burning bomb remained in the plane. Without regard for his own safety, he picked it up and feeling his way, instinctively, crawled around the gun turret and headed for the copilot's window. He found the navigator's table obstructing his passage. Grasping the burning bomb between his forearm and body, he unleashed the spring lock and raised the table. Struggling through the narrow passage he stumbled forward into the smoke-filled pilot's compartment. Groping with his burning hands, he located the window and threw the bomb out. Completely aflame, he fell back upon the floor. The smoke cleared, the pilot, at 300 feet, pulled the plane out of its dive. S/Sgt. Erwin's gallantry and heroism above and beyond the call of duty saved the lives of his comrades.

Corporal John Essebagger, Jr. (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on April 25, 1951, near Popsudong, Korea. His citation reads:

Cpl. Essebagger, a member of Company A, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. Committed to effect a delaying action to cover the 3d Battalion's withdrawal through Company A, Cpl. Essebagger, a member of 1 of 2 squads maintaining defensive positions in key terrain and defending the company's right flank, had participated in repulsing numerous attacks. In a frenzied banzai charge the numerically superior enemy seriously threatened the security of the planned route of withdrawal and isolation of the small force. Badly shaken, the grossly outnumbered detachment started to fall back and Cpl. Essebagger, realizing the impending danger, voluntarily remained to provide security for the withdrawal. Gallantly maintaining a l-man stand, Cpl. Essebagger raked the menacing hordes with crippling fire and, with the foe closing on the position, left the comparative safety of his shelter and advanced in the face of overwhelming odds, firing his weapon and hurling grenades to disconcert the enemy and afford time for displacement of friendly elements to more tenable positions. Scorning the withering fire and bursting shells, Cpl. Essebagger continued to move forward, inflicting destruction upon the fanatical foe until he was mortally wounded. Cpl. Essebagger's intrepid action and supreme sacrifice exacted a heavy toll in enemy dead and wounded, stemmed the onslaught, and enabled the retiring squads to reach safety. His valorous conduct and devotion to duty reflected lasting glory upon himself and was in keeping with the noblest traditions of the infantry and the U.S. Army.


We would like to take a minute to say CONGRATS to our good friends KC and LA over at Our Life. LA gave birth yesterday morning to a sweet little (at least, little if she isn’t coming out of you) girl, Ansleigh Grace Carter. She entered this world weighing in at 8lbs, 4oz and 20”. I will post a picture of her on here as soon as we get a deal worked out. Until then, you can go to KC’s Facebook page to see her.

Congrats, also, to Clemson and NFL Great Brian Dawkins. He was one of the hardest hitting, baddest looking SOBs to ever play the game. I once saw Dawkins hit a guy so hard I almost got knocked out. He was one of my favorite players and while I am sad to see him hang it up, I am happy I got to watch him play for so long. So here’s to you #20… Thanks for the memories.

I have a video of Daniel taking a couple of steps, but I'm not going to post it yet.  I haven't decided if these were real steps or just him falling down.  Either way, it looks like it might not be long before I post a video on here of Daniel walking.


Picture Tuesday

The view from the hall outside of my office.  If you look between the buildings, you can see James Island.

Daniel (with help from Susie) talked the Nanny into giving him a sucker.

It was fun to watch Brian Dawkins play the game.