I saw him in a Nursing Home. Well, actually, a home for people with extreme cases of Alzheimer's disease. He walked into the commons area of the home, his 80-plus year old shoulders back; tall and distinguished looking with a military bearing that radiated a life of wearing the uniform. I asked one of the nurses about him. "Oh," she replied, "that man was a General Officer." "At one time he commanded a U.S. Army Division in combat." She stopped and then with a voice touched by a bit of sadness, she said, "Now, he doesn't even remember having been in the military."

I watched this man ... this un-sung hero of America; this everyday man, who poured his life into the safety and strength of our nation. And I thought, "Yes, it is sad that he's forgotten his service to America." "But how much more sad if the rest of us forget."

I'm overwhelmed by America's lack of heroes. No, let me re-state that thought. I'm overwhelmed by America's lack of recognition of her heroes. Some of you reading this right now are wearing a uniform ..! You're a hero ..!! Some of you have never worn a uniform, but your love of America runs deep ... to your very core! You're a hero ...!!! Be recognized ..!! Its people like you who have made and will keep this nation great.

The media moguls in America burn up the airwaves and waste ink spinning their wheels in the mire of indecency and filth. Our heroes are splashed across the front pages and websites; Brittany Spears and Tom Cruise and a thousand others, whose lives reflect a decadence that consumes our youth and leaves our nation's values anemic and weak. And, somehow, they think their lives count for something. Meanwhile, America's finest young men and women protect the very Constitution that gives these moral-less examples of indecency a platform from which to spew their messages devoid of any human value.

Would to God there could be a grassroots uprising that said to the world, "No, its not the half-naked, drug laced movie stars and sports figures who are our heroes." "Its the men and women who have wrapped themselves in our flag, stood in the sand, drawn a line and are ready to die, if necessary, to keep America safe." Americans, its time we found our backbones again and stood up straight.

Patriot ... civilian and military alike ... you are our heroes. And God bless everyone of you ...!

Chaplain Dan Gates, Sons of the American Revolution

His name was Ross McGinnis. And he was a Soldier ...!!! A United States Army Specialist, serving with a combat unit in Iraq,  he was 19 years old ...!! Just a kid ...! Hardly old enough to shave! And he gave his life for ... me ..!?!? And the irony of it all is that I owe this man a debt I could never repay ... and I never even met him.

He's a hero ..! One of America's heros, whose name you've most likely never heard until today. A young man from the small, western Pennsylvania town of Knox, McGinnis was one of those unsung heroes of America. A handsome young man, who simply wanted to live his life being one of America's finest. So with hard training and personal sacrifice, he earned the right to wear her uniform. And in that uniform, he was called upon to give his all. And he did so ... self-less-ly ..!!!

Its a remarkable story. Last December, while on patrol,  Ross was manning a 50 Calibre machinegun on the turret of his Humvee Combat Vehicle. A grenade was thrown and, although he tried deflect it, the grenade fell inside the vehicle with four of his buddies. Training called for him to cry a warning to them and then escape. Instead, Specialist Ross McGinnis threw himself between the grenade and the men inside the Humvee, absorbing the full impact of the blast, "laying down his life for his friends," saving them by the selfless sacrifice of own life. May God in His eternity bless this man of tremendous courage and honor.

Why did I say he died for me ...?? Because Ross McGinnis was fighting the terror that wants to take my life and the lives of my family ... and your life ... and your family ... and your country! His family received from President Bush a posthumous Medal Of Honor .. and rightly so. But the world's weight in medals could never repay the debt we owe this young man and his family ..!!!

Specialist Ross McGinnis ..! American Hero ...!!