We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/08/interesting_sto.html Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:33:35 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Most people don't realize that formal awards schemas (vice one-offs for specific events) are a relatively recent innovation in military affairs. As Napoleon observed, "A man will die for a bit of ribbon." Of course, that's not really true, if he dies, it's for the ideal that his fellow soldiers have embedded in the symbol of the ribbon. Just like no one dies for the flag - it's for the symbol the flag represents. 'BLACK LION' CREATES MEDALS FOR IRAQI SOLDIERS By 1st Lt. Charles Wyatt 1st Bn., 28th Inf. Regt. BAGHDAD - It wasn't too long ago that the... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/08/interesting_sto.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/08/interesting_sto.html Mon, 20 Aug 2007 07:16:48 -0600 Great site. Your comment regarding Robert Gould Shaw's burial is slightly incorrect. It is true he was buried at the head of his men in the same grave but it was not done as an attempt to insult him but as an attempt to honor him. I can provide you with the written words and reference of the CSA's commanding officer who was responsible for how he was buried if you would like. It was the Northern press that turned his burial into an attempt to insult him by the Confederates. Keep up the good work. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/08/interesting_sto.html#comment-63492 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/08/interesting_sto.html#comment-63492 Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:47:01 -0600 A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon. The ones who will fight long and hard and don't give a rat's rear for the colored ribbon are the ones you want next to you when the lead rain starts. Might not want to sit next to them at the white-glove functions, buuuut, like John says, "There are tradeoffs..."]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/08/interesting_sto.html#comment-63415 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/08/interesting_sto.html#comment-63415 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 05:10:13 -0600 Well, foo. I thought you'd fixed the Search. No such luck ... still busted. Heh --- you must have located that post with a divining rod ;-) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/08/interesting_sto.html#comment-63413 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/08/interesting_sto.html#comment-63413 Mon, 20 Aug 2007 22:55:36 -0600 I beg to disagree with you on the quotation of the 'Corsican Ogre' as our 'Limey' friends referred to him when in polite society. A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon. Napoleon Bonaparte http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/08/interesting_sto.html#comment-63408 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/08/interesting_sto.html#comment-63408 Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:51:56 -0600 Nice news. Maybe even a little out of the box so to speak. Ceremony is a function of tradition. No tradition, no use for ceremony. I wonder how much tradition will be necessary before the Iraqis will come up with their own Medal of Honor. Such traditions are powerful. As powerful as the bonds of love between people fighting together. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/08/interesting_sto.html#comment-63396 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/08/interesting_sto.html#comment-63396 Mon, 20 Aug 2007 12:04:43 -0600 SSG Duran is a genius. this one "small" thing will reap huge dividends. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/08/interesting_sto.html#comment-63391 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/08/interesting_sto.html#comment-63391 Mon, 20 Aug 2007 08:14:48 -0600