Corporal Jason Dunham

Drudge has posted a photo of a teary-eyed President Bush.

It's been up there for hours and hours, so I'm sure it's been viewed by tens of thousands of people.

How will people react to seeing the President so emotional?

Will Bush be criticized for becoming visibily moved during the Medal of Honor ceremony for Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham?

Of course.

He's criticized for everything he does.

If he had been stoic, he'd be attacked for being heartless.

Because he shed tears, he'll be accused of being on the edge of emotional collapse, a bad display by the leader of the Free World.

Read President Bush's remarks honoring the Medal of Honor recipient Jason Dunham.

(Excerpt)

Long before he earned our nation's highest Medal Jason Dunham made himself -- made a name for himself among his friends and neighbors. He was born in a small town in upstate New York. He was a normal kind of fellow, he loved sports. He went to Scio Central School, and he starred on the Tiger basketball, soccer, and baseball teams. And by the way, he still holds the record for the highest batting average in a single season at .414. He was popular with his teammates, and that could be a problem for his mom. You see, she never quite knew how many people would be showing up for dinner, whether it be her family, or the entire basketball team.

He grew up with the riches far more important than money: He had a dad who loved to take his boys on a ride with him when he made his rounds on the dairy farm where he worked. His mom was a school teacher. She figured out the best way to improve her son's spelling was to combine his love for sports with her ability to educate. And so she taught him the words from his reading list when they played the basketball game of "horse." He had two brothers and a sister who adored him.

He had a natural gift for leadership, and a compassion that led him to take others under his wing. The Marine Corps took the best of this young man, and made it better. As a Marine, he was taught that honor, courage and commitment are not just words. They're core values for a way of life that elevates service above self. As a Marine, Jason was taught that leaders put the needs of their men before their own. He was taught that while America's founding truths are self-evident, they also need to be defended by good men and women willing to stand up to determined enemies.

As a leader of a rifle squad in Iraq, Corporal Dunham lived by the values he had been taught. He was a guy everybody looked up to. He was a Marine's Marine who led by example. He was the kind of person who would stop patrols to play street soccer with the Iraqi schoolchildren. He was the guy who signed on for an extra two months in Iraq so he could stay with his squad. As he explained it, he wanted to "make sure that everyone makes it home alive." Corporal Dunham took that promise seriously and would give his own life to make it good.



In April 2004, during an attack near Iraq's Syrian border, Corporal Dunham was assaulted by an insurgent who jumped out of a vehicle that was about to be searched. As Corporal Dunham wrestled the man to the ground, the insurgent rolled out a grenade he had been hiding. Corporal Dunham did not hesitate. He jumped on the grenade, using his helmet and body to absorb the blast. Although he survived the initial explosion, he did not survive his wounds. But by his selflessness, Corporal Dunham saved the lives of two of his men, and showed the world what it means to be a Marine.

Deb Dunham calls the Marine Corps her son's second family and she means that literally. Deb describes her son's relationship to his men this way: "Jay was part guardian angel, part big brother, and all Marine." She remembers her son calling from the barracks, and then passing the phone to one of his Marines, saying, "I've got a guy here who just needs to talk to a mom." Now it's the Marines who comfort her. On special days, like Christmas or Mother's Day or her birthday, Deb has learned the day will not pass without one of Jason's fellow Marines calling to check on her.

With this Medal we pay tribute to the courage and leadership of a man who represents the best of young Americans. With this Medal we ask the God who commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves to wrap his arms around the family of Corporal Jason Dunham, a Marine who is not here today because he lived that commandment to the fullest.

What a remarkable young man!

On Veterans Day last November, President Bush announced that Corporal Dunham would receive the Medal of Honor.

When the President told the story of the Corporal's incredible act of selflessness, he commented:

A friend who was there that terrible day put it this way: "Corporal Dunham had a gift from God. Everyone who came in contact with him wanted to be like him. He was the toughest Marine, but the nicest guy. He would do anything for you. Corporal Dunham was the kind of person everybody wants as their best friend."

Are your eyes dry?

Jason Dunham was a hero.

Think of his story, such sacrifice and bravery. Imagine looking into the eyes of Jason's parents, his two brothers, and his sister as they accept the Medal of Honor on behalf of their son and brother. It's overwhelming.

Do you think it's wrong for President Bush to be moved to tears? Do you think it shows a weak side that's not appropriate for the President of the United States?

I don't think so at all.

I remember President Bush tearing up on TV shortly after 9/11 when he spoke of the children left without a parent as a result of the terrorist attacks.

I didn't think that was a mistake.

When the President shows emotion, it's real. It's not a slick performance. Whether or not you agree with him on issues, you have to admit that President Bush is sincere.

His tears revealed the depth of his admiration for Corporal Dunham and his sympathy for the family's tremendous loss.

How does one hear Corporal Dunham's story and not be moved emotionally?

One can't help but be reminded of how much we owe the brave men and women serving in our military.

Are your eyes dry?