A July 4th Reason to Kill the Fatted Calf
Posted: Friday, July 01, 2011
by Christofer French
Rain Dancer Associates, LLC
Sometimes it is easy to forget the Sanctity of this Day. And even though we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, we do tend to just have our fun.
There are many things that are done while we celebrate July 4, doing whatever we do – shed tears for our loved ones who have recently passed, go blind drunk at a lake full of bobbing bodies, chat with like-minded hand wringers who are getting good feelings munching on hot dogs and condemning America for its empirical tendencies, being pro-America, being anti-America, being America Neutral, or America Light, or just enjoying life because you work too hard and too long at a job that underpays you; -- whatever the reason, we gather.
And, at a higher level, like a patriarch memorializing a Day and commanding that the “fatted Calf be killed” there are some important transcendent issues, that go along with the delight of the smell of cooked meat filling our nostrils. Because as a species we have learned, when you want to have a good time, and get people’s attention, you open up the bubbly, spread the sugar and the salt, fire up the “barby” and suddenly everyone smiles for a little while. So, here’s to the 4th, for the fun. But also here’s to the constant quest for Independence and our continual need for Heroes. Because of this, because of this meaning, and because of the Heroes and American Patriots who have guarded us all these years, we have our modern American Day of Independence and Patriotism.
A Picnic in Amarillo, about a Nightmare in Bastogne
It was on a July 4. A WWII veteran once told me, in Amarillo at a Church, under a cottonwood so big its shade covered half the block, who had fought near Bastogne in December of 1944, his thoughts about July 4. “You know this aint Memorial Day, or Veteran’s Day, its Independence Day. It was this day when some crazy guys declared against the mightiest power on earth that they were going to be free – Well, that was a declaration of war. You know, mostly soldiers fight, once they are in the battlefield for each other. Sure the purpose of the war is in our heads, but when we are out there, we are trying to survive combat, kill the enemy and help keep our brothers alive. Arguing over war’s futility, hating soldiers, celebrating victory and agonizing over the human waste of combat, all that stuff is for people who aren’t in the battlefield, and incidentally, that happens usually in the Victorious Nation.”
“It’s those people’s freedom that we fight for, and they are free to hate us, disrespect us, or just plain forget about us. But the actuality of war has nothing to do with argument, it’s a piece of shrapnel that sizzles its way into your flesh. Nobody hates war like we did. It is easy to hate war. I mean who have you ever heard that says: “I love war.” Political arguments put me to sleep at night. The sight of piles of frozen American bodies in Bastogne keeps me awake.”
This man told me his stories at a Church Picnic in Amarillo, Texas. He limped a little, but still had a twinkle in his eye, as we sipped on Coors from its yellow can and ate jalapeno peppers whole, and toasted the 4th of July.
The Congressional Medal of Honor – Robert J. Miller
Today, July 4, 2011, I will do what most all Americans do; celebrate in the out of doors. I wish I had the privilege of having a hamburger with Robert J. Miller. I thought I would share his tale over this medium on this day, so that more could appreciate the life he lived, and the way he served. He holds the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously. His family lives in Florida. I wish I could have known him. I am sure he was a strong, open faced, steady guy, and indeed, so much more.
He entered service at: Oviedo, Florida; and was born: 14 October 1983. Citation: Robert J. Miller distinguished himself by extraordinary acts of heroism while serving as the Weapons Sergeant in Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3312, Special Operations Task Force-33.
During combat operations against an armed enemy in Konar Province, Afghanistan on January 25, 2008. While conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol, through the Gowardesh Valley, Staff Sergeant Miller and his small element of U.S. and Afghan National Army soldiers engaged a force of 15 to 20 insurgents occupying prepared fighting positions, hidden behind rocks and natural cover.
Staff Sergeant Miller initiated the assault by engaging the enemy positions with his vehicle's turret-mounted Mark-19 40 millimeter automatic grenade launcher while simultaneously providing detailed descriptions of the enemy positions to his command. This enabled effective and accurate close air support.
Following the engagement, Staff Sergeant Miller led a small squad forward to conduct a battle damage assessment. As the group neared the small, steep, narrow valley that the enemy had inhabited, a large, well-coordinated insurgent force initiated a near ambush, assaulting from elevated positions with ample cover. This ambush left Miller exposed and with little available cover.
The patrol was totally vulnerable to enemy rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapon fire. As point man, Staff Sergeant Miller was at the front of the patrol. He found himself completely cut off from supporting elements, and dangerously close, less than 20 meters, from enemy forces. Nonetheless, with total disregard for his own safety, he called for his men to quickly move back to covered positions. As he charged the enemy -- over exposed ground and under an overwhelming enemy he was determined to provide fire in order to provide protection his team.
100 to 1 Odds
While maneuvering to engage the enemy, Staff Sergeant Miller was shot in his upper torso. Ignoring the wound, he continued to push the fight, moving to draw fire from over one hundred enemy fighters upon himself. Facing these 100 to one odds, he then again charged forward through an open area in order to allow his teammates to safely reach cover.
After killing at least 10 insurgents, wounding dozens more, and repeatedly exposing himself to withering enemy fire while moving from position to position, Staff Sergeant Miller was mortally wounded by enemy fire.
His extraordinary valor ultimately saved the lives of seven members of his own team and 15 Afghanistan National Army soldiers. Staff Sergeant Miller's heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty, and at the cost of his own life, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
On Another July 4 weekend (1863), the Battle of Gettysburg was Fought – Joshua C. Chamberlain and the Joshua Chamberlain Society
On “Little Round Top”, at the Battle of Gettysburg, on that July 4 period, Joshua Chamberlain withstood the onslaught of repeated attacks on the position of he and his Maine volunteers. Without apparent fear for his life, held what was probably the key position in the entire 4 day Battle. After having run out of ammunition, he led a final bayonet charge that stopped the relentless assaults. That point was a key fulcrum around which the enemy would turn, and capture the rear, if they could take his position. After his valor, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Because of the fame he achieved on this day, he was given the honor of commanding the troops at the surrender of Lee at Appomatox Courthouse, less than 2 years later.
Please note this quote concerning the Society that has been set up in his name for the wounded and families of killed-in-action members: “In his honor The Joshua Chamberlain Society has established the goal of aiding severely wounded military service members and the families of killed-in-action members of our military who sacrificed all in our service. In what we believe is a unique mission, we adopt these severely wounded veterans as JCS Heroes, and they will stay part of our family for the remainder of their lives, just as their injuries will be with them for the remainder of their lives. As the battles in Afghanistan and elsewhere continue to rage, we have been introduced to more wounded warriors than our current funds allow us to adopt. As such, our continued challenge is to raise money in the hopes of serving more and more JCS Heroes.” This appears to be an honorable way to direct charitable contributions.
July 4, this time in America, that stands for freedom, has been separated out as a time of great celebration, as Franklin desired. Our heroes have helped it remain so. May we remember during this 4th day of July, in our celebrations and distractions, with a small prayer or financial contribution, the memories of men like Robert J. Miller and Joshua C. Chamberlain, and others who sacrificed themselves in the cause of freedom and liberty. The Joshua Chamberlain Society is an excellent example of institutions set up for those who have passed, and those who are wounded and have loved ones left behind to bear the daily struggle. They do stand like Sentinels, these Heroic Souls of Honor, casting their eyes over time and circumstance on this first week in July.
Future Heroic Souls of Honor
Breathing in Deeply, on a Hot Summer Night,
On the 4th of July in North America over 200 years ago;
The Womb of Happening Heaved and Emitted a Deep Groan
And Cosmic Mother Screamed out in a Life-Sparking Moment
And Bore a New Lot of Kin who cried for “Independence”
And Set round about this Birth Were the Future Heroic Souls of Honor
Who Kept the Lot Safe through 4ths to Come!
---- Joshua DuFreyne
(http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/afghanistan.html)
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Christofer, This is a well-researched and incredibly on-target article that all Americans might take the opportunity to read. You touch on much and write it so well. You discuss our celebrations and individual ways that we spend the day, even if some of us simply enjoy time away from the job. We do have opportunity to enjoy gatherings, food, company and good discussions. I do love that you bring focus on two heroes, Robert J. Miller and Joshua C. Chamberlain, and write about their relentless drive to face down the enemy and protect their fellow men. There are, indeed, greats in loyal service to our country and while we are caught up in our day-to-day activities, we tend to forget our own greats. Thank you for highlighting two deserving men and their heroic deeds, and helping us properly focus on our own, unique 4th of July holiday.Thanks very much for your comment. I really do believe that "self abnegation" is a particular quality that most do not have. America seems to spawn many of these kinds of individuals in our country of small towns and wide spaces. I appreciate that I at least got this comment from you. I guess heroism isn't chic. Well, that's a natural happening from a country that has not experienced war on its own soil. We end up growing lots of types of plants in the languid countryside of self involvement and narcissism. I Love your care for what I care about. ChrisSo many of us get caught up in our daily lives and mundane occurrences. Being faced with the bigger picture isn't important to some. Thinking about countless sacrifices of men and women in service to our country is somewhat removed from our daily lives. When individuals are tested they seemingly step up, and often, beyond any norm. Messrs. Miller and Chamberlain were heroes, above all expectations, and were individuals that gave their ultimate. I'm so pleased that your article credits them so eloquently. You care and wrote with passion, and I love that.
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