WEBVTT 00:00.529 --> 00:02.640 Good morning , ladies and gentlemen . 00:02.650 --> 00:04.872 Welcome to the Medal of Honor induction 00:04.872 --> 00:07.090 ceremony in honor of Master Sergeant 00:07.090 --> 00:09.689 Roderick W . Edmonds , Staff Sergeant 00:09.689 --> 00:11.649 Michael H . Hollis , and Command 00:11.649 --> 00:13.760 Sergeant Major Terry P . Richardson . 00:14.250 --> 00:16.139 These honorees were presented our 00:16.139 --> 00:18.250 nation's highest and most prestigious 00:18.250 --> 00:20.472 award for valor by the President of the 00:20.472 --> 00:22.528 United States , the Medal of Honor . 00:22.569 --> 00:24.590 This morning they will formally be 00:24.590 --> 00:26.479 inducted into the Pentagon's most 00:26.479 --> 00:29.639 sacred place , the Hall of Heroes . Our 00:29.639 --> 00:31.680 hosts for today's ceremony are the 00:31.680 --> 00:33.791 Secretary of the Army , the Honorable 00:33.791 --> 00:35.847 Dan Driscoll , the Chief of Staff of 00:35.847 --> 00:38.400 the Army , General Randy George , and 00:38.400 --> 00:40.456 Sergeant Major of the Army , Michael 00:40.456 --> 00:43.119 Weimer . Ladies and gentlemen , please 00:43.119 --> 00:45.230 stand for the singing of our national 00:45.230 --> 00:47.340 anthem by Sergeant First Class Adam 00:47.340 --> 00:50.119 Struby and the invocation delivered by 00:50.119 --> 00:51.508 Chaplain William Green . 01:10.480 --> 01:13.430 Oh , say , can you 01:13.440 --> 01:17.080 see by the dawn's early 01:17.080 --> 01:18.300 light 01:21.870 --> 01:25.419 proudly we . at the twilight's last 01:25.419 --> 01:29.050 gleaming , whose stripes and 01:29.050 --> 01:32.699 bright stars through the 01:32.699 --> 01:36.169 perilous fight or the 01:36.169 --> 01:40.139 ramparts we watched were 01:40.139 --> 01:43.160 so gallantly streaming 01:45.879 --> 01:48.669 and the rockets red glare . Where the 01:48.669 --> 01:52.089 bombs bursting . gave 01:53.769 --> 01:57.639 proof through the night . that our 01:57.639 --> 02:00.730 flag was still there . 02:03.150 --> 02:06.220 Oh say does that star spangled 02:06.220 --> 02:10.110 banner yet . or the 02:12.759 --> 02:16.669 And of the free and 02:16.669 --> 02:18.229 the of the 02:34.800 --> 02:36.967 Ladies and gentlemen , please bow with 02:36.967 --> 02:39.078 me as I ask God's blessings over this 02:39.078 --> 02:42.369 ceremony . Eternal God , 02:42.750 --> 02:46.720 faithful and true . To you all honor 02:46.720 --> 02:50.080 belongs and from you all blessings 02:50.080 --> 02:53.320 flow . We gather in your presence to 02:53.320 --> 02:56.899 remember heroes who've walked among us , 02:57.229 --> 02:59.520 men of unshakable integrity , 02:59.880 --> 03:03.259 sacrificial love , and unyielding duty . 03:03.880 --> 03:06.080 We remember the bold courage of Master 03:06.080 --> 03:09.000 Sergeant Roderick Edward Edmonds , who 03:09.000 --> 03:12.600 stood like a wall against evil to 03:12.600 --> 03:16.029 protect and defend others . We 03:16.029 --> 03:18.589 honor Command Sergeant Major Terry 03:18.589 --> 03:21.520 Richardson and his steadfast leadership , 03:21.880 --> 03:25.130 relentless courage under fire , and the 03:25.130 --> 03:28.770 strength he continues to embody today . 03:29.550 --> 03:31.880 And we are forever humbled by the 03:31.880 --> 03:34.800 ultimate sacrifice of Staff Sergeant 03:34.800 --> 03:38.080 Michael Ollis , who gave his life 03:38.080 --> 03:41.720 shielding a brother in arms . Lord , 03:42.399 --> 03:44.440 we thank you for the families who 03:44.440 --> 03:47.479 shaped these men , loved them , and 03:47.479 --> 03:50.279 bore the weight of their service and 03:50.279 --> 03:54.240 sacrifice . Today may they feel the 03:54.240 --> 03:57.679 love and admiration and profound 03:57.679 --> 04:01.259 respect of a grateful nation and Father , 04:01.720 --> 04:04.720 kindle in us the same heroic faith and 04:04.720 --> 04:07.800 a deep commitment to our country and 04:07.800 --> 04:10.279 may each of us and those currently 04:10.279 --> 04:13.520 deployed do our part to defend the 04:13.520 --> 04:16.760 freedoms we enjoy as Americans for 04:16.760 --> 04:20.209 future generations . In your holy name 04:20.209 --> 04:23.690 we pray this will defend . Amen . 04:26.429 --> 04:27.485 Please be seated . 04:31.320 --> 04:33.320 Ladies and gentlemen , the chief of 04:33.320 --> 04:34.739 staff of the army . 04:46.829 --> 04:50.380 Good morning , everybody . Uh , 04:50.670 --> 04:53.750 Command Sergeant Major Richardson . Uh , 04:53.869 --> 04:57.609 Bob and Linda , Alice , Pastor Edmonds , 04:57.769 --> 05:00.709 um , and really to , we have so many 05:00.709 --> 05:03.269 family , um , that joined us . Um , I 05:03.269 --> 05:05.380 just want a big round of applause for 05:05.380 --> 05:07.602 everybody . I know they traveled across 05:07.602 --> 05:09.658 the country . Sorry about the snow . 05:14.679 --> 05:16.880 And I also wanna say , uh , the 05:16.880 --> 05:19.158 secretary , the Sergeant Major , and I , 05:19.200 --> 05:21.533 um , we got the vice chairman down here , 05:21.640 --> 05:23.920 Chief of Staff of the Air Force , um , 05:24.079 --> 05:26.799 Chief of the National Guard Bureau , um , 05:26.959 --> 05:29.739 and our Transcom , who's also very busy . 05:30.079 --> 05:32.399 Um , so I just wanna , you know , in 05:32.399 --> 05:35.399 light , let everybody know this is how 05:35.399 --> 05:37.799 important this is , um , to us and to 05:37.799 --> 05:40.077 them , and we appreciate you guys , um , 05:40.079 --> 05:42.459 you guys being here today . Um , it's 05:42.459 --> 05:44.959 an honor for us to recognize 3 05:45.700 --> 05:48.350 incredible men , and I think the , the 05:48.350 --> 05:50.517 Sergeant Major of the Army said it the 05:50.517 --> 05:52.850 other night , we did a little reception . 05:52.850 --> 05:55.500 Um , this is 3 NCOs , and from wearing 05:55.500 --> 05:57.667 this uniform a long time and traveling 05:57.667 --> 05:59.833 around and I'm looking down here at my 05:59.833 --> 06:01.722 teammates , um , we know that the 06:01.722 --> 06:04.600 special sauce of the United States Army 06:04.779 --> 06:07.220 is our NCO corps . So I would like all 06:07.220 --> 06:10.269 of our NCOs . Right now just to stand 06:10.269 --> 06:12.325 up so that we can recognize them . I 06:12.325 --> 06:14.491 know we got a whole bunch of them that 06:14.491 --> 06:14.089 are in here . 06:20.070 --> 06:22.149 See you . Thanks for being here . 06:28.570 --> 06:30.869 I'd like to start by setting the scene 06:30.869 --> 06:33.670 for everyone . December 06:33.809 --> 06:37.670 1944 , after days of battle in the 06:37.670 --> 06:40.209 forest of Belgium , Master Sergeant 06:40.209 --> 06:42.690 Roddy Edmonds and his unit were 06:42.690 --> 06:45.399 captured . As they marched towards 06:45.399 --> 06:49.309 Germany without rest , food , or water , 06:49.720 --> 06:52.559 already cold , swept through , carrying 06:52.559 --> 06:55.359 snow and freezing rain . They were then 06:55.359 --> 06:58.160 packed into cattle cars and shipped by 06:58.160 --> 07:01.600 rail . By the end of January , Master 07:01.600 --> 07:03.440 Sergeant Edmonds and his fellow 07:03.440 --> 07:05.662 non-commissioned officers were moved to 07:05.662 --> 07:07.607 a camp near Siegenheim , Germany . 07:08.350 --> 07:11.029 Frostbite set in as they stood for 07:11.029 --> 07:14.690 hours in the cold upon arrival . The 07:14.690 --> 07:17.010 Nazis paraded a young Russian out into 07:17.010 --> 07:19.559 the yard , told him to run toward the 07:19.559 --> 07:22.760 open gate , and then loosed the dogs , 07:23.130 --> 07:25.519 forcing the Americans to watch his 07:25.519 --> 07:28.600 execution . The brutal message was 07:28.600 --> 07:31.500 clear , obey us or die . 07:32.480 --> 07:34.591 A day later , the guards came to Mass 07:34.591 --> 07:36.813 Sergeant Edmonds , who was a senior NCO 07:36.813 --> 07:39.399 in the camp . They ordered him to have 07:39.399 --> 07:43.079 all Jewish Americans come outside the 07:43.079 --> 07:46.119 next morning . As soon as the guards 07:46.119 --> 07:48.230 left Master Sergeant Edmonds , turned 07:48.230 --> 07:51.670 to his men . And said we won't do that . 07:52.760 --> 07:55.549 We will all fall out tomorrow . He 07:55.549 --> 07:57.771 passed the word to the other barracks . 07:58.230 --> 08:01.329 Everyone will be in formation . The 08:01.329 --> 08:03.329 next morning as planned , more than 08:03.329 --> 08:07.079 1200 Americans stood outside . The 08:07.079 --> 08:09.920 Nazi commandant was furious and ordered 08:09.920 --> 08:13.140 all non-Jews back in the barracks . 08:13.679 --> 08:16.279 Master Sergeant Edmond calmly responded . 08:17.019 --> 08:19.299 We are all Jews here . 08:20.679 --> 08:22.735 Enraged , the commandant pressed his 08:22.735 --> 08:24.957 pistol between Master Sergeant Edmonds' 08:24.957 --> 08:27.140 eyes . Still , Master Sergeant Edmonds 08:27.320 --> 08:30.380 stood his ground . He told the officer 08:30.380 --> 08:32.820 to go ahead and shoot , but reminded 08:32.820 --> 08:34.987 him that the Americans knew his name . 08:35.369 --> 08:37.780 Someday , he would be tried as a war 08:37.780 --> 08:40.500 criminal . After several gut-wrenching 08:40.500 --> 08:42.667 seconds , the Nazi officer lowered his 08:42.667 --> 08:46.169 pistol and returned to his office . The 08:46.169 --> 08:48.169 Americans returned to their rooms , 08:48.409 --> 08:51.570 hearts surging with hope , stirred by 08:51.570 --> 08:53.650 Master Sergeant Edmund Edmond's 08:53.650 --> 08:57.369 fearless words , we are all Jews here . 08:58.309 --> 09:00.365 Master Sergeant Edmonds continued to 09:00.365 --> 09:02.580 lead Americans with courage and 09:02.580 --> 09:05.390 determination until they were liberated . 09:07.929 --> 09:10.770 Then more than 20 years later , another 09:10.770 --> 09:12.992 American went above and beyond the call 09:12.992 --> 09:15.400 of duty . In the steamy jungles of 09:15.400 --> 09:18.559 Vietnam , September 1969 , 09:19.119 --> 09:21.008 Staff Sergeant Richardson and his 09:21.008 --> 09:23.520 company moved out to Sekira Hill on a 09:23.520 --> 09:25.989 rubber plantation near the Cambodian 09:25.989 --> 09:28.599 border . They were hit by machine gun 09:28.599 --> 09:30.739 fire , and the two men in front 09:30.919 --> 09:33.609 crumpled . When their squad leader 09:33.609 --> 09:35.929 attempted to pull them to safety , he 09:35.929 --> 09:38.729 was hit too . Staff Sergeant Richardson , 09:38.780 --> 09:41.200 the platoon sergeant , ran forward . 09:41.580 --> 09:43.780 Despite bullets falling , flying all 09:43.780 --> 09:45.947 around him , he pulled his men back to 09:45.947 --> 09:49.130 the medic , returning repeatedly until 09:49.130 --> 09:51.989 all three were recovered . But he could 09:51.989 --> 09:54.530 see the company was in a dire situation , 09:54.830 --> 09:58.070 surrounded by NVA . So he grabbed a 09:58.070 --> 10:00.570 radio from a soldier and asked his men 10:00.570 --> 10:03.090 to cover him . Then he dropped to the 10:03.090 --> 10:06.840 ground and began to crawl past the 10:06.840 --> 10:10.000 machine guns and up the hill . At the 10:10.000 --> 10:13.260 top , he was surrounded by NVA voices . 10:13.599 --> 10:17.150 The hill was swarming with enemies . He 10:17.150 --> 10:19.390 slid quietly into an irrigation ditch 10:19.390 --> 10:22.210 and got nearby air assets on the radio . 10:23.820 --> 10:25.900 I can't pop smoke , he told the air 10:25.900 --> 10:28.067 assets when they asked him to indicate 10:28.067 --> 10:31.799 his location . They'll find me . So for 10:31.799 --> 10:35.599 9 hours , 9 hours , he 10:35.599 --> 10:37.799 talked with the pilots , orchestrating 10:37.799 --> 10:40.280 the bombing of the NBA camp that was 10:40.280 --> 10:44.250 all around him . They dropped 75,000 10:44.250 --> 10:47.320 pounds of ordinance , including napalm 10:47.710 --> 10:51.609 on his position . At 1900 , 10:51.989 --> 10:54.250 Staff Sergeant Richardson watched with 10:54.250 --> 10:56.489 exhausted relief as the NVA ran down 10:56.489 --> 10:58.450 the backside of the hill towards 10:58.450 --> 11:01.809 Cambodia . The men of Alpha 128 11:01.809 --> 11:04.330 infantry , Black Lions , figured they 11:04.330 --> 11:06.052 would never see Staff Sergeant 11:06.052 --> 11:08.130 Richardson again . But upon climbing 11:08.130 --> 11:11.330 the hill , found him sitting on a 11:11.330 --> 11:13.570 toppled rubber tree , bullet in his 11:13.570 --> 11:17.159 knee , ears bleeding . The embodiment 11:17.159 --> 11:20.260 of human endurance , grit , and courage , 11:20.760 --> 11:24.200 and an inspiration to them all . And I 11:24.200 --> 11:26.422 know , uh , Sergeant Major , you've got 11:26.422 --> 11:28.533 some of your teammates that were here 11:28.533 --> 11:30.756 with you on that day , and I would like 11:30.756 --> 11:32.811 them to stand up right now so we can 11:32.811 --> 11:35.089 also recognize all that they have done . 11:35.089 --> 11:36.089 Please stand up . 11:53.150 --> 11:55.460 We , we were , we were just talking to , 11:55.640 --> 11:58.030 to these , uh , soldiers right before 11:58.030 --> 12:00.197 they all volunteered , they all wanted 12:00.197 --> 12:02.197 to come to a twelve-mile road march 12:02.197 --> 12:04.363 with us out at Fort Riley . So we look 12:04.363 --> 12:06.530 forward to seeing you out there soon . 12:07.150 --> 12:09.750 And again , 40 years later , yet 12:09.750 --> 12:11.750 another warrior gave his all to his 12:11.750 --> 12:15.030 teammates and our nation . On a wind 12:15.030 --> 12:17.590 windswept plateau in the Hindu Kush of 12:17.590 --> 12:20.059 Afghanistan , Staff Sergeant Michael 12:20.059 --> 12:22.170 Ellis and some of his squadmates were 12:22.170 --> 12:24.281 enjoying a bit of downtime on Forward 12:24.281 --> 12:26.440 Operating Base Ghazni , when an 12:26.440 --> 12:29.789 explosion rocked the base . Staff 12:29.789 --> 12:31.845 Sergeant Alles directed his men to a 12:31.845 --> 12:35.440 bunker . Then picked up his rifle and 12:35.440 --> 12:38.349 ran towards the attack . As he ran , 12:38.650 --> 12:40.706 Staff Sergeant Ales linked up with a 12:40.706 --> 12:42.817 Polish officer , 2nd Lieutenant Carol 12:43.090 --> 12:45.500 Cheerpizza . Lieutenant Cerpizza 12:45.500 --> 12:47.556 remembers seeing Staff Sergeant Ales 12:47.556 --> 12:50.390 smile , fearless and full of energy . 12:50.809 --> 12:53.510 He felt invigorated . He was not alone . 12:54.580 --> 12:56.469 At the airfield , the two found a 12:56.469 --> 12:58.469 special forces element engaged in a 12:58.469 --> 13:00.302 fight with multiple insurgents . 13:00.950 --> 13:03.172 Lieutenant Chair Pizza , Staff Sergeant 13:03.172 --> 13:06.049 Alice . And SF Master Sergeant Earl 13:06.049 --> 13:07.827 Plumley darted through shipping 13:07.827 --> 13:10.539 containers to engage the enemy fighters . 13:11.080 --> 13:13.580 Lieutenant Cherpizza was hit in the leg . 13:14.580 --> 13:16.691 Suddenly a man wearing a suicide vest 13:16.691 --> 13:19.299 came around the corner within 15 ft of 13:19.299 --> 13:21.929 the men . Without pausing . 13:23.119 --> 13:25.341 Staff Sergeant Alli stepped between the 13:25.341 --> 13:27.452 attacker and the wounded lieutenant . 13:28.260 --> 13:30.659 He quickly shot the bomber , but the 13:30.659 --> 13:33.900 vest detonated . Sergeant Staff 13:33.900 --> 13:36.270 Sergeant Alis died in a blast in the 13:36.270 --> 13:39.150 blast , but made sure his body shielded 13:39.419 --> 13:41.530 2nd Lieutenant Cherpizza from further 13:41.530 --> 13:44.239 injury . His actions not only saved his 13:44.239 --> 13:46.479 teammate , but helped stymie an attack 13:46.479 --> 13:48.979 that could have killed many , many more 13:49.280 --> 13:52.039 that day . And I know , uh , I don't 13:52.039 --> 13:54.150 know if Carol is here today . I think 13:54.150 --> 13:55.872 he was with us in the ceremony 13:55.872 --> 13:58.095 yesterday , but I know , um , there's a 13:58.095 --> 14:00.039 whole bunch of Triple Deuce , uh , 14:00.039 --> 14:02.206 teammates . Um , so I'd like all those 14:02.206 --> 14:04.261 that are , that are out there , um , 14:04.261 --> 14:06.372 from Triple Deuce , if you guys could 14:06.372 --> 14:08.200 all stand up . And 14:26.559 --> 14:29.830 Climb , climb the glory , man . It is 14:29.830 --> 14:31.710 difficult to imagine the pain , 14:31.950 --> 14:35.130 exhaustion , uncertainty , and terror 14:35.270 --> 14:37.880 of these moments . Yet in the face of 14:37.880 --> 14:40.119 that , these men were unbelievably 14:40.119 --> 14:43.780 brave , unhesitating , and determined , 14:44.119 --> 14:46.063 and showed selfless love for their 14:46.063 --> 14:49.059 country and their teammates . Their 14:49.059 --> 14:51.270 actions inspired those around them to 14:51.270 --> 14:54.669 have hope and fight on , even in the 14:54.669 --> 14:57.390 darkest moments . And will continue to 14:57.390 --> 15:00.909 inspire soldiers for generations to 15:00.909 --> 15:04.109 carry on when times are hard . Today , 15:04.119 --> 15:06.119 these men joined the ranks of those 15:06.119 --> 15:08.175 warriors whose lives are etched into 15:08.175 --> 15:10.809 our nation's lore , who embody what it 15:10.809 --> 15:14.780 means to be an American soldier . And 15:14.780 --> 15:18.099 who have lived our army's motto , this 15:18.099 --> 15:20.739 will defend , which means that we stand 15:20.739 --> 15:23.000 ready to give our all for our flag , 15:23.460 --> 15:26.820 our freedom , our country , and our 15:26.820 --> 15:28.219 teammates . Thank you . 15:38.169 --> 15:40.391 Ladies and gentlemen , the Secretary of 15:40.391 --> 15:41.391 the Army . 15:49.130 --> 15:52.679 So , before I start the formal remarks , 15:52.770 --> 15:55.250 I just wanna echo what Chief said and 15:55.250 --> 15:57.306 um say thank you to everybody in the 15:57.306 --> 15:59.489 room . And I know a lot of you were at 15:59.489 --> 16:01.600 my house late last night , um , and a 16:01.600 --> 16:03.767 lot of you with what's going on in the 16:03.767 --> 16:05.989 world right now are working extra hours 16:05.989 --> 16:08.200 and it matters and , um , The , the 16:08.200 --> 16:10.320 quick story , backstory for me is my 16:10.320 --> 16:12.542 granddad was a Dakota in World War II . 16:12.542 --> 16:14.709 My dad was an infantryman in Vietnam . 16:14.709 --> 16:16.764 Um , I deployed , uh , was with 10th 16:16.764 --> 16:19.042 Mountain Division with Dave Fitzgerald , 16:19.042 --> 16:21.098 and we deployed in 07 through 2011 . 16:21.098 --> 16:23.431 And then my nephew's currently in Korea , 16:23.431 --> 16:25.653 and this lineage of service that I know 16:25.653 --> 16:27.653 a lot of you have in this community 16:27.653 --> 16:30.159 that exists around it , I think this 16:30.159 --> 16:32.381 room right now is telling these stories 16:32.381 --> 16:34.492 and highlighting it is something that 16:34.492 --> 16:36.715 people who just aren't connected to the 16:36.715 --> 16:38.659 army and its 250 year history just 16:38.659 --> 16:40.826 don't get . And why it matters so much 16:40.826 --> 16:42.937 is , I know a lot of you in this room 16:42.937 --> 16:44.826 have buddies deployed right now , 16:44.826 --> 16:47.048 family members deployed right now , who 16:47.048 --> 16:49.215 are under fire right now as we do this 16:49.215 --> 16:51.215 ceremony . And so , um , this stuff 16:51.215 --> 16:53.270 matters , your service , the , the , 16:53.330 --> 16:56.789 the , the . The lineage 16:56.789 --> 16:59.659 of character and honor and sacrifice of 16:59.659 --> 17:01.826 all of you in this room matters and it 17:01.826 --> 17:03.826 matters to the people who are under 17:03.826 --> 17:05.881 fire right now . So , um , I'm gonna 17:05.881 --> 17:08.048 transition to the formal remarks , but 17:08.048 --> 17:10.270 please keep our service members in your 17:10.270 --> 17:10.180 prayers , keep their families in your 17:10.180 --> 17:12.170 prayers . Um , know that a lot of 17:12.170 --> 17:14.337 families are going through some really 17:14.337 --> 17:16.859 hard times right now . Since Abraham 17:16.859 --> 17:19.420 Lincoln signed legislation creating the 17:19.420 --> 17:23.290 Army's Medal of Honor in 1863 , it has 17:23.290 --> 17:25.819 been awarded to those who distinguished 17:25.819 --> 17:28.199 themselves conspicuously by gallantry 17:28.339 --> 17:30.689 and intrepidity at the risk of their 17:30.689 --> 17:33.619 lives above and beyond the call of duty . 17:34.530 --> 17:37.449 For over 250 years , American soldiers 17:37.449 --> 17:39.671 from all over our country have answered 17:39.671 --> 17:41.671 that call . From Bunker Hill to the 17:41.671 --> 17:45.000 Bulge , Bagram and beyond . Soldiers 17:45.000 --> 17:47.111 have served their nation , fought for 17:47.111 --> 17:49.349 it , sacrificed for it , and 17:49.349 --> 17:51.460 safeguarded the very freedoms that we 17:51.460 --> 17:54.209 hold dear . But the Medal of Honor is 17:54.209 --> 17:56.042 reserved for those whose actions 17:56.042 --> 17:58.170 transcend even the very highest 17:58.170 --> 18:01.630 expectations of service . Since Private 18:01.630 --> 18:03.852 Jacob Parrott became the first Medal of 18:03.852 --> 18:05.489 Honor recipient in 1863 , 18:05.729 --> 18:09.569 2470 American soldiers have 18:09.569 --> 18:11.791 been recognized with this distinction . 18:12.359 --> 18:15.040 These soldiers embody the values upon 18:15.040 --> 18:17.439 which our nation was founded , courage , 18:17.910 --> 18:20.109 selflessness , and an unwavering 18:20.109 --> 18:22.219 commitment to the ideals of life , 18:22.359 --> 18:24.819 liberty , and the pursuit of happiness . 18:25.780 --> 18:27.891 As the scripture reminds us , greater 18:27.891 --> 18:30.113 love hath no , excuse me , greater love 18:30.113 --> 18:32.930 hath no man than this , that a man lay 18:32.930 --> 18:35.689 down his life for his friends . This 18:35.689 --> 18:37.745 verse speaks to the heart of what it 18:37.745 --> 18:40.099 means to serve . Not just to answer the 18:40.099 --> 18:42.619 call of duty , but to willingly place 18:42.619 --> 18:44.675 the needs of others above your own . 18:45.390 --> 18:48.339 Even at the greatest personal cost . In 18:48.339 --> 18:51.209 2004 , Major General George Gallepsy 18:51.390 --> 18:53.557 redrew the Medal of Honor to modernize 18:53.557 --> 18:55.780 it and make it more distinct . He 18:55.780 --> 18:57.949 introduced a horizontal bar inscribed 18:57.949 --> 19:00.550 with the word valor . But it could just 19:00.550 --> 19:03.469 as easily say sacrifice , because valor 19:03.469 --> 19:05.869 is not just bravery . It is the courage 19:05.869 --> 19:08.390 to sacrifice oneself for the nation and 19:08.390 --> 19:10.630 the very comrades who you love so 19:10.630 --> 19:13.189 dearly . It is the sacrifice borne by 19:13.189 --> 19:15.449 loved ones , families , and communities 19:15.630 --> 19:19.099 who hold these heroes so dear . And it 19:19.099 --> 19:21.339 is the sacrifice of a nation that owes 19:21.339 --> 19:25.040 so much to so few . Today we gather to 19:25.040 --> 19:27.290 honor three soldiers whose actions 19:27.290 --> 19:30.130 remind us that valor is not just a word 19:30.130 --> 19:32.609 etched in metal . It is a living 19:32.609 --> 19:35.270 testament to the courage and sacrifice 19:35.270 --> 19:37.381 that preserves and protects our great 19:37.381 --> 19:40.630 nation . From this day forward , our 19:40.630 --> 19:42.852 hall of Heroes will be blessed with the 19:42.852 --> 19:45.420 names of Master Sergeant Roderick W . 19:45.550 --> 19:47.589 Edmonds , Sergeant Major Terry P . 19:47.670 --> 19:50.189 Richardson , and Staff Sergeant Michael 19:50.189 --> 19:52.739 H . Hollis . Each of these heroes 19:52.739 --> 19:56.060 embodies the absolute pinnacle of army 19:56.060 --> 19:58.510 values , of leadership , duty , 19:58.900 --> 20:01.233 selfless service , and personal courage . 20:01.829 --> 20:03.829 Each of these heroes went above and 20:03.829 --> 20:05.773 beyond the call of duty and placed 20:05.773 --> 20:07.940 their lives on the line for those that 20:07.940 --> 20:10.162 they loved . The soldiers to their left 20:10.162 --> 20:12.107 and their right , and for the very 20:12.107 --> 20:14.869 nation that they were born to . Each of 20:14.869 --> 20:17.036 these heroes paid a debt for which our 20:17.036 --> 20:19.510 nation will be forever grateful . But 20:19.510 --> 20:21.790 what drives a soldier to act with such 20:21.790 --> 20:24.199 extraordinary courage ? What kind of 20:24.199 --> 20:26.430 person willingly places themselves in 20:26.430 --> 20:28.709 harm's way for another ? The answer 20:28.709 --> 20:31.219 lies in their character , their values , 20:31.310 --> 20:33.670 their upbringing , and their unwavering 20:33.670 --> 20:35.781 commitment to their fellow soldiers . 20:36.160 --> 20:38.327 As the senior NCO in a German prisoner 20:38.327 --> 20:40.438 of war camp , Master Sergeant Edmonds 20:40.438 --> 20:42.438 faced a moment of moral reckoning . 20:42.880 --> 20:44.602 When ordered by his captors to 20:44.602 --> 20:46.824 segregate the Jewish soldiers under his 20:46.824 --> 20:48.991 command , he refused , as Chief said , 20:48.991 --> 20:51.189 declaring , we are all Jews here . His 20:51.189 --> 20:53.411 actions reflect how he lived his entire 20:53.411 --> 20:56.199 life with love for Christ , love for 20:56.199 --> 20:58.550 his fellow soldiers , and love for his 20:58.550 --> 21:01.790 nation and his community . His valorous 21:01.790 --> 21:03.734 decision to sacrifice for those he 21:03.734 --> 21:05.512 loved , grounded in his faith , 21:05.512 --> 21:07.346 empowered him to defy hatred and 21:07.346 --> 21:09.800 oppression , and save hundreds of lives . 21:10.589 --> 21:12.589 Sergeant Major Richardson's actions 21:12.589 --> 21:14.869 during Vietnam exemplify the 21:14.869 --> 21:16.980 selflessness and bravery that defines 21:16.980 --> 21:18.989 the warrior ethos , valor , and 21:18.989 --> 21:21.969 sacrifice . Under intense enemy fire , 21:22.099 --> 21:25.729 he deliberately and repeatedly exposed 21:25.729 --> 21:28.050 himself to enemy fire to protect his 21:28.050 --> 21:30.849 platoon . But Richardson's character 21:30.849 --> 21:32.849 had been groomed for that moment of 21:32.849 --> 21:34.890 valor his entire life . He was the 21:34.890 --> 21:37.290 oldest of dozens of grandchildren in a 21:37.290 --> 21:39.810 closely knit farming community . He was 21:39.810 --> 21:41.609 raised with a great sense of 21:41.609 --> 21:44.250 responsibility , love for others , and 21:44.250 --> 21:46.194 mentorship and fellowship with his 21:46.194 --> 21:48.469 family . His courage under fire , 21:48.819 --> 21:50.900 forged through years of selflessness 21:51.020 --> 21:53.260 and leadership , saved countless lives 21:53.260 --> 21:55.260 and turned the tide of the battle . 21:56.060 --> 21:58.171 Today we are honored to have Sergeant 21:58.171 --> 22:00.504 Major Richardson here with us in person . 22:00.504 --> 22:02.671 His presence reminds us that the Medal 22:02.671 --> 22:04.782 of Honor is not just a recognition of 22:04.782 --> 22:07.004 past actions . It is a living testament 22:07.004 --> 22:09.140 to the character and values that 22:09.140 --> 22:11.084 continues to inspire us all , even 22:11.084 --> 22:13.660 today . Staff Sergeant Ollis gave his 22:13.660 --> 22:15.882 life protecting others in Afghanistan . 22:16.300 --> 22:18.467 When insurgents breached the perimeter 22:18.467 --> 22:20.420 of his base , Ollis ran toward the 22:20.420 --> 22:22.660 danger and placed himself between the 22:22.660 --> 22:25.219 bomber and his comrade . But he had 22:25.219 --> 22:27.441 always been a selfless leader since his 22:27.441 --> 22:29.739 youth , always putting others before 22:29.739 --> 22:32.099 himself and always seeking 22:32.099 --> 22:34.250 self-improvement . As a Manhattan 22:34.250 --> 22:36.300 native , Staff Sergeant Hollis was 22:36.300 --> 22:38.300 affected firsthand by the September 22:38.300 --> 22:40.560 11th attacks . He became involved in 22:40.560 --> 22:42.979 ROTC and took immense pride in raising 22:42.979 --> 22:45.660 the colors every single day . He 22:45.660 --> 22:47.827 tutored and mentored other kids , made 22:47.827 --> 22:49.993 sure outcasts were taken care of , and 22:49.993 --> 22:52.160 gave away his car just to take care of 22:52.160 --> 22:54.420 one of his family members . He excelled 22:54.420 --> 22:56.939 as a soldier , sought out Ranger school , 22:57.170 --> 22:59.780 and thrived as a generous leader who 22:59.780 --> 23:02.380 those loved , who those around him 23:02.380 --> 23:04.859 loved . Staff Sergeant Alice , Sergeant 23:04.859 --> 23:07.026 Major Richardson , and Master Sergeant 23:07.026 --> 23:09.339 Edmonds . These soldiers were not just 23:09.339 --> 23:11.561 heroes in the moment , they were heroes 23:11.561 --> 23:13.819 their entire lives . Their actions were 23:13.819 --> 23:15.652 the culmination of who they were 23:16.099 --> 23:18.819 leaders , protectors , and servants of 23:18.819 --> 23:21.979 a cause greater than themselves . Today , 23:22.140 --> 23:24.251 their names join the Hall of Heroes , 23:24.251 --> 23:26.196 where they will forever stand as a 23:26.196 --> 23:28.362 testament to the courage and sacrifice 23:28.362 --> 23:31.089 that define the Medal of Honor . To the 23:31.089 --> 23:33.200 families of Master Sergeant Edmonds , 23:33.200 --> 23:35.311 Sergeant Major Richardson , and Staff 23:35.311 --> 23:37.422 Sergeant Hollis , your loved ones are 23:37.422 --> 23:39.145 not just remembered , they are 23:39.145 --> 23:41.729 absolutely revered . Their legacy will 23:41.729 --> 23:44.062 inspire generations of soldiers to come , 23:44.209 --> 23:46.320 reminding us all of the extraordinary 23:46.320 --> 23:48.265 character it takes to serve and to 23:48.265 --> 23:51.239 sacrifice for others . May their names 23:51.239 --> 23:53.500 forever shine as the beacon of valor , 23:53.709 --> 23:56.040 sacrifice , and the enduring spirit of 23:56.040 --> 23:58.199 the United States Army . This we'll 23:58.199 --> 23:58.699 defend . 24:09.650 --> 24:11.706 Ladies and gentlemen , please direct 24:11.706 --> 24:13.594 your attention to the screens for 24:13.594 --> 24:15.483 remarks by the Secretary of War . 24:16.979 --> 24:19.520 Command Sergeant Major Richardson , Mr . 24:19.530 --> 24:22.699 and Mrs . Ollis , Pastor Edmonds and 24:22.699 --> 24:25.050 your family members . General George , 24:25.170 --> 24:27.270 Secretary Driscoll , ladies and 24:27.359 --> 24:30.859 gentlemen . Imagine if on that cold 24:30.859 --> 24:34.140 night in January 1945 when the German 24:34.140 --> 24:36.084 commandant ordered Master Sergeant 24:36.084 --> 24:38.089 Edmonds to assemble all the Jewish 24:38.089 --> 24:40.719 American POWs outside the next morning . 24:41.410 --> 24:43.890 That Master Sergeant Edmonds had made a 24:43.890 --> 24:47.239 different decision . Imagine if he had 24:47.239 --> 24:49.699 obeyed the German commandant's order . 24:50.459 --> 24:52.579 Imagine if fearful of what evidence 24:52.579 --> 24:54.900 would be inflicted on him by the Nazi 24:54.900 --> 24:58.630 enemy . He had identified the POWs who 24:58.630 --> 25:02.099 were Jews . Or on that hill in 25:02.099 --> 25:04.699 Vietnam . Imagine if Staff Sergeant 25:04.699 --> 25:07.020 Richardson , who is here with us today , 25:07.819 --> 25:10.420 did not pick up his radio . Imagine if 25:10.420 --> 25:12.531 he'd been too afraid to crawl up that 25:12.531 --> 25:15.579 hill . Imagine if he hadn't stayed on 25:15.579 --> 25:18.439 the radio with the pilots for 9 hours . 25:19.859 --> 25:22.030 And in the Hindu Kush of Afghanistan , 25:22.189 --> 25:24.411 imagine if Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis 25:24.411 --> 25:27.229 had cowered . If he had not picked up 25:27.229 --> 25:30.130 his rifle . That he didn't charge off 25:30.130 --> 25:33.500 toward the explosion . Imagine if 25:33.500 --> 25:35.579 Sergeant Ollis had simply paused . 25:36.469 --> 25:39.140 Because he was frightened . That he 25:39.140 --> 25:41.362 chose not to step between the enemy and 25:41.362 --> 25:43.560 the wounded lieutenant . The 25:43.560 --> 25:46.310 split-second decisions sometimes made 25:46.310 --> 25:50.030 over hours . Made by soldiers who we 25:50.030 --> 25:53.250 honor here today , what they decided 25:53.250 --> 25:55.670 ripples through time and still impact 25:55.670 --> 25:58.270 lives today , generations after they 25:58.270 --> 26:00.829 made them . Nobody is born with the 26:00.829 --> 26:03.510 warrior ethos . It's taught , it's 26:03.510 --> 26:06.390 learned , it's forged through stories 26:06.390 --> 26:09.939 like these . Stories that are as old as 26:10.140 --> 26:12.589 David and his army . The scriptures 26:12.589 --> 26:14.922 tell us that one of his mighty warriors , 26:14.922 --> 26:16.645 quote , arose and attacked the 26:16.645 --> 26:19.160 Philistines until his hand was weary . 26:19.880 --> 26:22.530 And his hand stuck to the sword . 26:23.949 --> 26:26.250 A soldier who kept pushing on through 26:26.250 --> 26:28.849 to victory . A platoon and company 26:28.849 --> 26:30.849 commander in Vietnam , writer James 26:30.849 --> 26:33.016 Webb , said that these are the stories 26:33.016 --> 26:34.849 about how we killed and bled and 26:34.849 --> 26:36.627 suffered and died in a way that 26:36.627 --> 26:38.627 Washington society , which seems to 26:38.627 --> 26:40.571 view service in the combat arms as 26:40.571 --> 26:42.516 something akin to a commute to the 26:42.516 --> 26:45.130 Pentagon . will never comprehend . 26:46.300 --> 26:48.189 Stories about the ability to keep 26:48.189 --> 26:50.479 fighting , to make those split-second 26:50.479 --> 26:53.800 decisions as these men did . Stories 26:53.800 --> 26:55.800 about courage that could be just as 26:55.800 --> 26:59.000 simple as fear holding on for a minute 26:59.000 --> 27:02.369 longer , as General Patton said . The 27:02.369 --> 27:05.719 men we honor here today . They had guts 27:06.439 --> 27:09.579 They loved their brothers in arms . And 27:09.579 --> 27:12.380 the opposite of fear is love . 27:13.869 --> 27:16.091 Of our life in the profession of arms , 27:16.091 --> 27:17.980 the writer Tim O'Brien , who also 27:17.980 --> 27:19.980 served in Vietnam , said , You make 27:19.980 --> 27:22.036 close friends . You become part of a 27:22.036 --> 27:24.979 tribe . And you share the same blood . 27:25.310 --> 27:28.040 You give it together . You take it 27:28.339 --> 27:31.109 together . We thank our Heavenly Father 27:31.329 --> 27:34.439 for these men . And the decisions they 27:34.439 --> 27:37.180 made . May we tell their stories 27:37.599 --> 27:38.599 forever . 27:43.920 --> 27:46.209 Secretary Driscoll , General George , 27:46.479 --> 27:48.719 Sergeant Major of the Army Weimer , and 27:48.719 --> 27:51.199 Pastor Chris Edmonds , please join on 27:51.199 --> 27:53.280 stage for the induction ceremony of 27:53.280 --> 27:55.719 Master Sergeant Roderick W . Edmonds . 28:12.780 --> 28:14.836 Ladies and gentlemen , please remain 28:14.836 --> 28:16.724 seated during the presentations . 28:40.920 --> 28:43.040 The President of the United States of 28:43.040 --> 28:45.739 America , authorized by Act of Congress 28:45.739 --> 28:49.119 March 3 , 1863 , has posthumously 28:49.119 --> 28:51.280 awarded in the name of Congress , the 28:51.280 --> 28:53.359 Medal of Honor to Master Sergeant 28:53.359 --> 28:55.800 Roderick W . Edmonds , United States 28:55.800 --> 28:58.479 Army , for conspicuous gallantry and 28:58.479 --> 29:00.540 intrepidity at the risk of his life 29:00.540 --> 29:02.540 above and beyond the call of duty . 29:03.079 --> 29:05.135 Master Sergeant Edmonds' conspicuous 29:05.135 --> 29:07.246 gallantry and intrepidity at the risk 29:07.246 --> 29:09.357 of his life above and beyond the call 29:09.357 --> 29:11.579 of duty are in keeping with the highest 29:11.579 --> 29:13.523 traditions of military service and 29:13.523 --> 29:15.746 reflect great credit upon himself , his 29:15.746 --> 29:18.579 unit , and the United States Army . A 29:18.579 --> 29:20.670 framed Medal of Honor citation and 29:20.670 --> 29:22.630 photo will be presented by the 29:22.630 --> 29:24.939 Secretary of the Army . Accepting on 29:24.939 --> 29:27.109 behalf of Master Sergeant Edmonds is 29:27.109 --> 29:29.550 his son , Pastor Chris Edmonds . 30:04.599 --> 30:07.380 At this time , the Medal of Honor flag 30:07.380 --> 30:09.491 will be presented by the Secretary of 30:09.491 --> 30:13.359 the Army . On 23 October 2002 , Public 30:13.359 --> 30:16.280 Law 107-248 , Section 30:16.280 --> 30:19.560 8143 established the Medal of Honor 30:19.560 --> 30:21.671 flag to recognize service members who 30:21.671 --> 30:23.504 have distinguished themselves by 30:23.504 --> 30:25.560 gallantry in action above and beyond 30:25.560 --> 30:27.671 the call of duty . The Medal of Honor 30:27.671 --> 30:29.689 flag commemorates the sacrifice and 30:29.689 --> 30:31.930 bloodshed for our freedoms and gives 30:31.930 --> 30:33.986 emphasis to the Medal of Honor being 30:33.986 --> 30:35.930 the highest award for valor by an 30:35.930 --> 30:38.097 individual serving in the armed forces 30:38.097 --> 30:40.208 of the United States . The light blue 30:40.208 --> 30:42.329 color with gold fringes bearing 13 30:42.329 --> 30:44.273 white stripes are adapted from the 30:44.273 --> 30:45.607 Medal of Honor ribbon . 30:53.270 --> 30:55.000 Thank you , Pastor Edmonds . 31:06.119 --> 31:08.719 Mr . and Mrs . Hollis , please join our 31:08.719 --> 31:10.552 hosts on stage for the induction 31:10.552 --> 31:12.760 ceremony of Staff Sergeant Michael H . 31:12.920 --> 31:13.430 Ollis . 31:56.989 --> 31:59.045 Ladies and gentlemen , please remain 31:59.045 --> 32:00.933 seated during the presentations . 32:03.609 --> 32:05.720 The President of the United States of 32:05.720 --> 32:08.209 America , authorized by Act of Congress 32:08.209 --> 32:11.599 March 3 , 1863 , has posthumously 32:11.599 --> 32:13.770 awarded in the name of Congress , the 32:13.770 --> 32:15.729 Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant 32:15.729 --> 32:18.400 Michael H . Hollis , United States Army , 32:18.689 --> 32:20.356 for conspicuous gallantry and 32:20.356 --> 32:22.356 intrepidity at the risk of his life 32:22.356 --> 32:24.356 above and beyond the call of duty . 32:24.910 --> 32:26.743 Staff Sergeant Oli's exceptional 32:26.743 --> 32:28.632 courage and complete disregard of 32:28.632 --> 32:30.688 personal safety were in keeping with 32:30.688 --> 32:32.632 the highest traditions of military 32:32.632 --> 32:34.743 service and reflect great credit upon 32:34.743 --> 32:37.520 him , his unit , and the United States 32:37.520 --> 32:41.020 Army . A framed Medal of Honor citation 32:41.020 --> 32:43.140 and photo will be presented by the 32:43.140 --> 32:45.530 Secretary of the Army . Accepting on 32:45.530 --> 32:47.939 behalf of Staff Sergeant Ollis are his 32:47.939 --> 32:50.219 parents , Bob and Linda Ollis . 33:30.040 --> 33:32.770 At this time , the Medal of Honor flag 33:32.770 --> 33:34.881 will be presented by the Secretary of 33:34.881 --> 33:35.881 the Army . 34:03.910 --> 34:06.109 Thank you , Mr . and Mrs . Ollis . 34:18.019 --> 34:20.019 Command Sergeant Major Richardson , 34:20.059 --> 34:22.198 please join our hosts on stage . 35:08.949 --> 35:11.005 Ladies and gentlemen , please remain 35:11.005 --> 35:12.893 seated during the presentations . 35:15.010 --> 35:17.209 The President of the United States of 35:17.209 --> 35:19.770 America , authorized by Act of Congress 35:19.770 --> 35:23.530 March 3 , 1863 , has awarded in the 35:23.530 --> 35:26.290 name of Congress the Medal of Honor to 35:26.290 --> 35:28.401 Staff Sergeant Terry P . Richardson , 35:28.689 --> 35:30.770 United States Army , for conspicuous 35:30.770 --> 35:33.250 gallantry and intrepidity at the risk 35:33.250 --> 35:35.361 of his life above and beyond the call 35:35.361 --> 35:37.760 of duty . Staff Sergeant Richardson's 35:37.760 --> 35:40.129 conspicuous gallantry , extraordinary 35:40.129 --> 35:42.250 heroism , and intrepidity at the risk 35:42.250 --> 35:44.361 of his life above and beyond the call 35:44.361 --> 35:46.583 of duty are in keeping with the highest 35:46.583 --> 35:49.050 traditions of military service and 35:49.050 --> 35:51.272 reflect great credit upon himself , his 35:51.272 --> 35:54.709 unit , and the United States Army . A 35:54.709 --> 35:56.750 framed Medal of Honor citation and 35:56.750 --> 35:58.472 photo will be presented by the 35:58.472 --> 36:00.909 Secretary of the Army to Sergeant Major 36:00.909 --> 36:01.909 Richardson . 36:38.429 --> 36:41.169 At this time , the Medal of Honor flag 36:41.169 --> 36:43.280 will be presented by the Secretary of 36:43.280 --> 36:44.280 the Army . 37:18.260 --> 37:20.780 Will Pastor Edmonds and Mr . and Mrs . 37:20.939 --> 37:23.300 Ollis please return to the stage ? 38:17.560 --> 38:19.879 The Medal of Honor plaque will now be 38:19.879 --> 38:22.040 unveiled , inducting Master Sergeant 38:22.040 --> 38:24.830 Edmonds , Staff Sergeant Ollis , and 38:24.830 --> 38:26.997 Command Sergeant Major Richardson into 38:26.997 --> 38:28.163 the Hall of Heroes . 38:57.439 --> 38:59.272 Thank you , Secretary Driscoll , 38:59.520 --> 39:01.870 General George , Sergeant Major Weimer , 39:02.120 --> 39:04.120 Sergeant Major Richardson , Pastor 39:04.120 --> 39:05.919 Edmonds , and the Ais family . 39:31.649 --> 39:33.969 At this time , please direct your 39:33.969 --> 39:36.129 attention to the screen as a soldier 39:36.129 --> 39:38.419 unveils the names of each recipient on 39:38.419 --> 39:40.649 the Medal of Honor garden wall at the 39:40.649 --> 39:43.050 National Museum of the United States 39:43.050 --> 39:43.530 Army . 40:44.090 --> 40:46.189 Ladies and gentlemen , Pastor Chris 40:46.189 --> 40:46.889 Edmonds . 41:06.060 --> 41:08.320 You're , you're witnessing a miracle . 41:08.739 --> 41:11.800 A Baptist pastor is speechless . I am 41:11.800 --> 41:15.689 so amazed . Um , wow . 41:16.969 --> 41:19.570 Thank you , thank you , thank you . I 41:19.570 --> 41:21.649 have to say Secretary Driscoll and 41:21.969 --> 41:23.689 General George and all of the 41:23.689 --> 41:26.489 distinguished . Uh , leaders who are 41:26.489 --> 41:29.500 here . You have loved us well . 41:31.080 --> 41:33.600 You have loved us long and deep and 41:33.600 --> 41:37.159 hard . And wide . 41:38.280 --> 41:42.040 And so well And our , 41:42.139 --> 41:45.000 our family and I and the other families 41:45.000 --> 41:48.090 are just Deeply , deeply grateful . 41:48.209 --> 41:51.060 We'll be eternally grateful . To all of 41:51.060 --> 41:54.919 you Not only for taking so good care 41:54.919 --> 41:58.409 of us , but At this , at this 41:58.409 --> 42:00.465 ceremony and other things that we've 42:00.465 --> 42:04.439 done , but to Take care of our 42:04.439 --> 42:08.290 nation and our world . I just want to 42:08.290 --> 42:10.649 say thank you , soldiers . My dad was a 42:10.649 --> 42:13.330 soldier's soldier . He loves soldiers . 42:13.370 --> 42:16.790 I do too . I hope you do as well . I'm 42:16.790 --> 42:20.649 sure you do , right ? And I am so 42:20.649 --> 42:23.129 grateful to all of you who serve each 42:23.129 --> 42:25.889 and every second of every day . So that 42:25.889 --> 42:29.500 I can lift up a coffee cup . And take a 42:29.500 --> 42:33.100 sip And I could take a deep breath of 42:33.100 --> 42:36.100 fresh air in the mountains and enjoy 42:36.100 --> 42:39.000 that in peace . And I can wrestle with 42:39.000 --> 42:42.550 my grandkids on the floor . And not 42:42.550 --> 42:45.070 worry about what's going on in another 42:45.070 --> 42:47.550 part of the world or even down the road . 42:48.870 --> 42:52.760 And it's all because of you . And it's 42:52.760 --> 42:55.800 because of The greater love that's 42:55.800 --> 42:57.633 already been shared here today . 42:59.409 --> 43:01.409 Greater love has no one than this . 43:03.280 --> 43:05.169 than to lay down his life for his 43:05.169 --> 43:08.639 friends . And all of us are ordinary 43:08.639 --> 43:12.239 people . Were placed on planet Earth by 43:12.239 --> 43:15.489 the Almighty . For two reasons 43:16.260 --> 43:19.360 One to honor him And 2 , to serve 43:19.360 --> 43:23.229 others , to help them . And my father 43:23.229 --> 43:25.340 was a praying man , and he closed all 43:25.340 --> 43:27.560 of our family prayers with , with , 43:28.010 --> 43:30.010 Dear Heavenly Father , help us help 43:30.010 --> 43:31.899 those who can't help themselves . 43:33.020 --> 43:36.649 That's That's the value of a soldier . 43:37.199 --> 43:39.850 That's the heart of one who marches . 43:41.159 --> 43:43.326 For his country , for his family , for 43:43.326 --> 43:45.103 his friends , for his freedom . 43:47.389 --> 43:48.445 For the Almighty . 43:51.219 --> 43:53.699 I just want to say thank you . There's 43:53.699 --> 43:56.469 no higher honor that Dad will have 43:56.469 --> 43:58.780 other than the crown he's already 43:58.780 --> 44:00.836 wearing from the Lord Jesus Christ . 44:02.620 --> 44:05.179 Dad loved the Lord . I was supposed to 44:05.179 --> 44:07.512 turn this on and see how long I'm going . 44:07.512 --> 44:09.790 So , Miss Paula , how am I doing ? You , 44:09.790 --> 44:11.957 you , you tell me to cut it off when I 44:11.957 --> 44:14.123 need to . I just want to say 11 or two 44:14.123 --> 44:16.850 other things . Um , my father . 44:18.260 --> 44:21.179 As Paul Stern said , one of the 44:21.179 --> 44:24.620 POW's Jewish men that I've come to know 44:24.620 --> 44:27.520 who stood on my dad's right . And on 44:27.520 --> 44:29.631 his left was Lester Tanner , who told 44:29.631 --> 44:31.840 me the story for the first time in New 44:31.840 --> 44:34.639 York City , almost 13 years to this day . 44:36.479 --> 44:38.750 Both Jewish men standing on the front 44:38.750 --> 44:40.861 lines , even though they are the ones 44:40.861 --> 44:43.083 being singled out , they stood with Dad 44:43.083 --> 44:45.417 and so did all of the heroes behind him . 44:46.429 --> 44:48.485 And a middle school kid brought real 44:48.485 --> 44:50.830 perspective to , to it when I spoke at 44:50.830 --> 44:52.941 their school . He said , your dad was 44:52.941 --> 44:55.163 the head hero . I said , yes , he was . 44:56.229 --> 44:58.562 He had a whole lot of heroes behind him . 44:59.649 --> 45:03.639 Dad had their back . But they had his . 45:04.199 --> 45:06.477 And that's the only way that it worked . 45:06.477 --> 45:08.699 But Paul Stern said , Your father was a 45:08.699 --> 45:12.300 real Christian . The real deal . 45:12.760 --> 45:15.080 To him , Jesus was first thing , last 45:15.080 --> 45:17.600 thing , everything . And because of 45:17.600 --> 45:20.280 that , people were first thing , last 45:20.280 --> 45:22.590 thing , everything . Helping them , 45:22.669 --> 45:24.780 guarding them , loving them , serving 45:24.780 --> 45:26.836 them , and that's what he did all of 45:26.836 --> 45:29.810 his life . And that's what these others 45:29.810 --> 45:32.649 that we are honoring . did and have 45:32.649 --> 45:36.219 done . That's what you do every day as 45:36.219 --> 45:39.479 a soldier . So God bless you , we love 45:39.479 --> 45:42.800 you . Don't ever doubt that the vast 45:42.800 --> 45:46.000 majority of America love you dearly . 45:46.760 --> 45:49.219 We do And we pray for you 45:50.469 --> 45:54.469 Daily And I want to close in prayer 45:55.090 --> 45:56.979 for those who are in harm's way . 45:57.870 --> 46:01.239 Because , um , The Lord knows who they 46:01.239 --> 46:03.461 are , where they are , and a lot of you 46:03.461 --> 46:05.572 guys know who they are and where they 46:05.572 --> 46:07.628 are , but we need to pray for them . 46:07.628 --> 46:10.669 Let's pray . Father in heaven . You are 46:10.669 --> 46:12.989 matchless in your power . 46:14.320 --> 46:17.919 You are generous in your grace . You 46:17.919 --> 46:21.919 are holy But yet You've been 46:21.919 --> 46:25.580 to meet us where we are . We love you 46:25.580 --> 46:29.300 for that . We thank you for that . We 46:29.300 --> 46:32.250 lift up now our soldiers , our men and 46:32.250 --> 46:35.570 women who are in harm's way . That you 46:35.570 --> 46:37.570 would protect them with your mighty 46:37.570 --> 46:41.469 shield . of safety and refuge 46:41.469 --> 46:44.899 and comfort . And peace and give them 46:44.899 --> 46:48.429 strength . To stand against the evil . 46:50.030 --> 46:53.250 The evil That is all over our world , 46:53.320 --> 46:55.209 but particularly the evil they're 46:55.209 --> 46:57.949 fighting today . We pray that you would 46:57.949 --> 47:01.540 give your measure of wisdom . To 47:01.540 --> 47:04.969 these our distinguished leaders . who 47:04.969 --> 47:07.350 guide the way and lead them into battle . 47:08.800 --> 47:10.911 And so , Lord , we lift them to you , 47:10.911 --> 47:14.510 we place them in your hands . And we 47:14.510 --> 47:17.810 say thank you . God bless them . In 47:17.810 --> 47:21.199 your matchless name we pray . The god 47:21.909 --> 47:25.409 Of angel armies , the Lord of hosts . I 47:25.409 --> 47:29.030 mean And I want to recognize , uh , 47:29.040 --> 47:32.409 Paul Stern's , um , Daughter , 47:32.570 --> 47:36.370 Joanne and his son , Jeff , they are 47:36.370 --> 47:38.929 here today . They are descendants . 47:39.010 --> 47:41.689 More than 20,000 people are alive and 47:41.689 --> 47:44.370 well today because of what dad did in 47:44.370 --> 47:46.949 that POW camp . Would you please stand , 47:47.169 --> 47:51.070 Jeff and Joanne ? There they are 47:51.070 --> 47:54.919 over there . Thank you and 47:54.919 --> 47:55.590 God bless . 48:03.370 --> 48:06.949 Thank you , Pastor Edmonds . Ladies and 48:06.949 --> 48:08.949 gentlemen , Mister Bob Ollis . 49:05.860 --> 49:09.199 Good morning . Before I start . 49:10.610 --> 49:14.550 I'd like to do one thing . I'd like to 49:14.550 --> 49:17.850 recognize . A wonderful bunch . 49:19.459 --> 49:23.330 of soldiers Besides 49:23.330 --> 49:26.939 yourselves . The triple deuce 49:29.050 --> 49:32.629 Please rise . And be 49:32.629 --> 49:33.570 recognized . 49:52.709 --> 49:54.919 That was Michael's squad . 49:57.840 --> 50:01.010 Good morning again . My name is Bob 50:01.010 --> 50:04.729 Ollison and I'm a very proud , very 50:04.729 --> 50:07.370 proud . Vietnam veteran . 50:09.290 --> 50:12.729 I saw her during the the the 50:12.729 --> 50:16.560 uh uh . Tet Offensive 50:17.979 --> 50:21.679 I finally got wounded . And the battle 50:21.679 --> 50:25.429 away . I stayed in . 50:28.570 --> 50:32.040 Finished my tour . Went home and fell 50:32.040 --> 50:34.080 in love with this beautiful lady , 50:34.399 --> 50:35.399 Linda . 50:43.469 --> 50:46.229 After completing my two years with 50:46.229 --> 50:48.540 service and stuff . I went to 50:48.540 --> 50:52.129 automotive school . I became a 50:52.129 --> 50:55.830 mechanic . Married , 50:56.370 --> 50:59.050 had 3 beautiful children . Kim and 50:59.050 --> 51:02.770 Kelly are out there . And a 51:02.770 --> 51:06.540 beautiful blue-eyed . Blonde haired 51:06.780 --> 51:09.560 little boy in 1968 . 51:11.070 --> 51:14.330 Like what ? 1988 , 51:14.340 --> 51:15.810 1988 . 51:18.820 --> 51:21.139 I don't know about the one he was a 51:21.139 --> 51:24.879 little older than . That's why the army 51:24.879 --> 51:26.157 kept questioning him . 51:30.760 --> 51:34.050 But when he grew growing up , we , we 51:34.050 --> 51:37.290 knew he was going to be a soldier . He 51:37.290 --> 51:40.899 would get My army fatigues , 51:41.320 --> 51:45.040 roll up the sleeves . Go out in the 51:45.040 --> 51:48.600 yard , take my automotive tools , use 51:48.600 --> 51:52.260 them as landmines . Take , take his , 51:53.080 --> 51:55.302 uh , uh , we had a folding chair with a 51:55.302 --> 51:57.260 strap on it , sling it over his 51:57.260 --> 52:00.820 shoulder like it was an M16 , and . 52:01.889 --> 52:04.222 Kick the screens out of the screenhouse . 52:04.222 --> 52:06.389 You don't know how much money we spent 52:06.389 --> 52:10.320 on screens . Climb on the 52:10.320 --> 52:13.800 roofs , jump from the roof . We had a 52:13.800 --> 52:16.000 hot tub from the cover to the 52:16.000 --> 52:19.800 neighbor's , uh , uh , shed . Um , he 52:19.800 --> 52:21.911 used to be out there screaming , fall 52:21.911 --> 52:24.199 in your own yard . I'm not paying the 52:24.199 --> 52:25.820 insurance , you know . 52:28.129 --> 52:31.979 So Michael went 52:31.979 --> 52:35.949 on to school . And we kind 52:35.949 --> 52:39.719 of knew he was headed that way . Uh 52:40.600 --> 52:43.000 Every neighbor in the in the 52:43.000 --> 52:45.167 neighborhood would ask him what do you 52:45.167 --> 52:47.179 wanna be when you grow up and every 52:47.679 --> 52:51.159 other kid said cop fireman this that 52:51.159 --> 52:53.959 blah . Michael always said , I wanna be 52:53.959 --> 52:57.679 a soldier . I wanna be like my dad . I 52:57.679 --> 52:59.568 want to be like my grandparents . 53:03.239 --> 53:06.669 And he did . He was the only kid on the 53:06.669 --> 53:09.219 block that ever finished what he said 53:09.219 --> 53:12.090 he was going to do . And he became one , 53:12.310 --> 53:13.389 a good one . 53:17.409 --> 53:21.169 Excuse me . I'm not used to reading 53:21.169 --> 53:22.669 the thing . 53:27.439 --> 53:29.739 We'll skip this page , OK . 53:32.850 --> 53:36.709 OK , Michael , Michael struggle , 53:36.949 --> 53:39.360 stop . Did somebody say stop ? Oh , OK , 53:39.540 --> 53:43.320 no . Uh , when Michael . 53:45.139 --> 53:48.820 He was in in school . He had a 53:48.820 --> 53:51.379 problem . He had a disability , but he 53:51.379 --> 53:55.379 worked very hard at it . And um , I 53:55.379 --> 53:58.050 used to beg him because his mother and 53:58.560 --> 54:00.560 him would be around the dining room 54:00.560 --> 54:02.719 table . Michael , do your homework , 54:02.739 --> 54:04.517 and I just say , please do your 54:04.517 --> 54:06.550 homework . I can't stand hearing it 54:06.550 --> 54:08.719 anymore , you know , and . 54:11.550 --> 54:14.949 But he , he went on and went into high 54:14.949 --> 54:18.820 school ROTC . Even though it was there 54:18.820 --> 54:22.050 for us . And The 54:22.679 --> 54:26.419 2 , the 2 , the 2 commanders there . 54:27.820 --> 54:30.153 Used to , you know , trying to pull him , 54:30.153 --> 54:33.620 and he , uh , uh , I'm army bound , um . 54:34.429 --> 54:36.762 The Marines were trying to get him . No , 54:36.889 --> 54:39.056 he didn't want any part of it , and he 54:39.056 --> 54:41.510 came to us at the age of 17 . He said , 54:41.669 --> 54:45.540 Hey , I want to join . Would you 54:45.540 --> 54:49.080 sign for me ? I knew that 54:51.389 --> 54:53.510 Things about the army . I wasn't 54:53.510 --> 54:56.469 worried about the army stateside . I 54:56.469 --> 54:59.439 was worried about him . Deploying 55:00.360 --> 55:03.409 Uh , we didn't call it then in the 60s 55:03.409 --> 55:05.850 deploying , you know , so you have to 55:05.850 --> 55:09.840 forgive me on that , OK ? And um the 55:09.840 --> 55:12.409 only thing we wanted from him is finish 55:12.409 --> 55:14.689 high school . You have to finish high 55:14.689 --> 55:16.911 school . You have to get your diploma , 55:16.911 --> 55:19.030 and he promised he did and he did . 55:20.870 --> 55:23.870 He graduated on time , took the month 55:23.870 --> 55:27.469 off . Of , of , of , 55:27.530 --> 55:31.520 uh , July . August 6th , 55:33.060 --> 55:35.669 2006 , he went to Fort . 55:37.489 --> 55:41.239 Benny . We had a 55:41.239 --> 55:42.239 party for him . 55:45.459 --> 55:49.080 Before he left And we're all standing 55:49.080 --> 55:52.600 laughing at a car that's on fire at the 55:52.600 --> 55:55.479 head of uh my my block . 55:56.429 --> 55:58.651 Some , and we're all saying , oh , this 55:58.651 --> 56:02.260 poor guy , um . His car was on 56:02.260 --> 56:06.129 fire . Oh yeah , and . Lo and behold , 56:06.409 --> 56:08.570 my nephew standing next to me goes . 56:09.439 --> 56:10.439 That's mine . 56:14.129 --> 56:16.018 So he says , Harold , how are you 56:16.018 --> 56:18.240 getting home ? He says , I don't know . 56:19.550 --> 56:21.606 So I told Michael , he come , well , 56:22.070 --> 56:24.439 came out and watched the fire , uh , 56:24.510 --> 56:26.621 you know , watched the fireman put it 56:26.621 --> 56:27.621 out , um . 56:31.129 --> 56:34.739 He turns around And he hands Michael , 56:35.280 --> 56:37.502 uh , not Michael , excuse me , Harold , 56:37.502 --> 56:40.120 that was his name , Harold , here's the 56:40.120 --> 56:44.090 keys to my car . Take the car 56:45.020 --> 56:48.250 I'm going into the army . This is it . 56:48.669 --> 56:51.590 There was a hand me down from me to my 56:51.590 --> 56:55.199 daughter , my daughter to him . So . 56:57.100 --> 57:00.260 He gracious , here we go . Give you the 57:00.260 --> 57:03.600 car . Here's the title . Goodbye . 57:04.699 --> 57:06.919 And that's the kind of guy he was . 57:07.260 --> 57:09.860 That's the kind of person that Michael 57:09.860 --> 57:13.580 was . He trained in Fort 57:13.580 --> 57:16.989 Benning Became a Bradley 57:16.989 --> 57:20.030 driver because he was short , and they 57:20.030 --> 57:23.840 liked that . And he was so proud when 57:23.840 --> 57:26.199 he was in Germany that they put his 57:26.199 --> 57:29.879 name on the On , on , on the Bradley , 57:30.129 --> 57:33.399 he , he , the pictures , you have no 57:33.399 --> 57:37.070 idea . You know , and he trained 57:37.070 --> 57:40.830 in Europe . In in Germany , 57:41.000 --> 57:44.500 went to Kuwait . unloaded the ship 57:44.959 --> 57:47.181 because he loved to drive . He was easy 57:47.181 --> 57:50.370 driving . Um , she didn't know it . I 57:50.370 --> 57:52.370 used to take her to work at night . 57:52.729 --> 57:55.860 When he was about 15 , and when she get 57:55.860 --> 57:58.082 out of the car , I would get out of the 57:58.082 --> 58:00.249 driver's seat and let him drive home , 58:00.249 --> 58:03.260 you know . Didn't . No , 58:06.550 --> 58:09.179 And he served with the First Armored 58:09.179 --> 58:13.159 Division . Then 58:13.159 --> 58:15.520 he came home because they were coming 58:15.520 --> 58:17.580 stateside . He wanted more . 58:19.489 --> 58:23.199 Found out that the 101st Airborne . was 58:23.199 --> 58:26.429 going So he volunteered . 58:30.500 --> 58:32.500 Went to that deployment . That was 58:32.500 --> 58:33.860 deployment #2 . 58:36.760 --> 58:37.689 During his 58:40.479 --> 58:44.199 3rd deployment . With the , 58:44.409 --> 58:47.350 with the 10th mountain . Which he 58:47.350 --> 58:49.929 volunteered for because he found out 58:50.310 --> 58:53.889 they were going . He was 58:53.889 --> 58:56.689 invited to join the Eddie Murphy Club . 58:57.090 --> 59:01.050 Now having all these NCOs , I see a 59:01.050 --> 59:04.030 lot of smiles , so I must have a lot of 59:04.129 --> 59:07.129 NC , uh , people with the Eddie Murphy , 59:07.449 --> 59:10.830 uh , in club . He passed the board 59:11.409 --> 59:15.110 while being overseas . He 59:15.290 --> 59:18.600 did his . 3 boards 59:18.919 --> 59:22.379 passed , and he come out and when he 59:22.379 --> 59:24.419 called me , he said to me , 59:27.639 --> 59:31.469 Two of them Said no and I wanna know 59:31.469 --> 59:35.260 why . You know , so . 59:37.750 --> 59:40.600 He studied while . He was going on 59:40.600 --> 59:43.580 patrol every day and then I don't 59:43.580 --> 59:45.636 staying up because I wasn't there to 59:45.636 --> 59:47.802 coach him and he did it anyway without 59:47.802 --> 59:49.919 my help and without my prodding . 59:53.479 --> 59:57.379 7 years in I get a phone 59:57.379 --> 01:00:01.169 call . Approximately about a 01:00:01.169 --> 01:00:03.590 month before he passes away . 01:00:05.260 --> 01:00:08.790 Um , he said , hi , hi , Pop , and he 01:00:08.790 --> 01:00:11.012 always answered the phone . Hey , Pop , 01:00:11.110 --> 01:00:14.030 it's your son , you know , like , like , 01:00:14.189 --> 01:00:16.850 like I had dozens of them , you know . 01:00:21.560 --> 01:00:23.739 Say Mikey , how is it going and 01:00:23.739 --> 01:00:25.961 everything else ? He says , I just want 01:00:25.961 --> 01:00:28.379 to tell you that I just reenlisted for 01:00:28.379 --> 01:00:32.139 6 more years . I said , 01:00:32.250 --> 01:00:36.189 Michael , are you happy ? He says , Pop , 01:00:37.310 --> 01:00:39.477 I'm going to give to the United States 01:00:39.477 --> 01:00:43.040 Army . As long as I'm 01:00:43.040 --> 01:00:46.570 healthy . I 01:00:46.570 --> 01:00:50.570 loved the army . And 01:00:50.570 --> 01:00:54.350 that was Michael . He had such a 01:00:54.350 --> 01:00:57.229 love for the United States Army . 01:00:58.830 --> 01:01:01.590 That it , it was incredible . We were 01:01:01.590 --> 01:01:03.790 in different museums throughout our 01:01:03.790 --> 01:01:07.469 lives and . West Point , um . 01:01:08.139 --> 01:01:11.389 You know , anything that was . Uh , 01:01:12.370 --> 01:01:16.050 army related , I had him down on in a 01:01:16.050 --> 01:01:18.129 soccer tournament one time with my 01:01:18.129 --> 01:01:21.729 daughter . It was on Qu Quantico . Is 01:01:21.729 --> 01:01:23.919 that the , the marine ? Yeah , well , 01:01:24.070 --> 01:01:25.449 well , you know . 01:01:28.370 --> 01:01:31.689 You know , we'll put the , the end of 01:01:31.689 --> 01:01:34.409 that . I'm very proud of my son . 01:01:37.780 --> 01:01:41.530 And this is very hard . For both of 01:01:41.530 --> 01:01:45.350 us . I'm 01:01:45.350 --> 01:01:48.010 thankful for my loving wife , Linda . 01:01:48.790 --> 01:01:52.780 About 54 years . My 01:01:52.780 --> 01:01:54.310 two beautiful daughters . 01:01:56.639 --> 01:01:59.659 Deaf families , my 5 grandchildren . 01:02:06.050 --> 01:02:09.090 I really can't say too much more , but 01:02:09.090 --> 01:02:12.139 thank you . Thank you . Thank you from 01:02:12.139 --> 01:02:15.979 the president . Thank you . Thank you 01:02:15.979 --> 01:02:18.090 all . I don't know your names because 01:02:18.090 --> 01:02:20.600 names don't last too long up here 01:02:20.600 --> 01:02:23.919 anymore , you know , used to be blondes 01:02:24.159 --> 01:02:28.080 phone numbers , but Not anymore , 01:02:28.199 --> 01:02:31.310 you know . So I wish you 01:02:32.530 --> 01:02:36.419 A great day . I thank you . God bless . 01:02:36.659 --> 01:02:39.379 God bless America . God bless the 01:02:39.379 --> 01:02:42.790 United States Army . And the armed 01:02:42.790 --> 01:02:44.860 forces , thank you . Thank you . 01:02:57.260 --> 01:02:58.649 Thank you , Mr . Ollis . 01:03:14.560 --> 01:03:16.782 Ladies and gentlemen , Command Sergeant 01:03:16.782 --> 01:03:18.250 Major Terry Richardson . 01:03:47.760 --> 01:03:50.729 Good afternoon , everybody . And thank , 01:03:50.870 --> 01:03:53.092 thank you for , for everybody for being 01:03:53.092 --> 01:03:55.820 here . I'm going to start out just a 01:03:55.820 --> 01:03:58.580 little bit different . Yesterday we 01:03:58.580 --> 01:04:01.330 didn't get this opportunity , but Right 01:04:01.330 --> 01:04:04.389 now , I would like all of my guests 01:04:04.590 --> 01:04:07.050 that came with me as my guests from 01:04:07.050 --> 01:04:09.409 Michigan , North Carolina , and 01:04:09.409 --> 01:04:11.169 Minnesota to please stand . 01:04:30.969 --> 01:04:34.060 For myself and Betty . We just want to 01:04:34.060 --> 01:04:36.282 thank you all for being here to help us 01:04:36.282 --> 01:04:38.989 celebrate . I know this is the greatest 01:04:38.989 --> 01:04:42.580 occasion of my life by far . The next 01:04:42.580 --> 01:04:46.179 thing I'd like to do on September 14th , 01:04:46.419 --> 01:04:50.379 1968 . I had , there's 01:04:50.379 --> 01:04:53.129 5 people in this room that were with us 01:04:53.469 --> 01:04:56.840 when we walked up hill 222 . I would 01:04:56.840 --> 01:04:59.189 like Um 01:05:00.830 --> 01:05:02.989 Dave Hammer to please stand . 01:05:12.439 --> 01:05:14.661 Please hold your applause for we're all 01:05:14.661 --> 01:05:17.260 Dave , remain standing , please . Norm 01:05:17.260 --> 01:05:20.889 Meyer , please stand . Lyle 01:05:20.889 --> 01:05:24.840 Leonard , please stand . Pete Sasko 01:05:26.510 --> 01:05:28.290 And Bob Parker . 01:05:37.989 --> 01:05:41.550 And I'd like you to please remain 01:05:41.550 --> 01:05:45.280 standing . The 1st 4 I introduced were 01:05:45.280 --> 01:05:48.429 all in my platoon . And Bob Parker was 01:05:48.429 --> 01:05:51.080 a squad leader in , in Mike platoon . 01:05:51.590 --> 01:05:54.110 The previous day to that , his platoon 01:05:54.110 --> 01:05:57.820 lost 9 people . And Bob's seen a 01:05:57.820 --> 01:06:00.610 whole lot of wild stuff . 01:06:02.110 --> 01:06:04.166 One other person is in the room that 01:06:04.166 --> 01:06:06.332 was in our company and I never had the 01:06:06.332 --> 01:06:08.332 opportunity to meet him until years 01:06:08.332 --> 01:06:11.030 later in a deer camp in Upper Peninsula , 01:06:11.110 --> 01:06:13.669 Michigan , if Doc Hefner would please 01:06:13.669 --> 01:06:17.149 stand . Doc was a 01:06:17.149 --> 01:06:18.270 combat medic . 01:06:25.439 --> 01:06:28.239 Doc was wounded . He was probably in 01:06:28.239 --> 01:06:30.183 Japan when I , when the time I got 01:06:30.183 --> 01:06:32.790 there in May of '68 , but Doc , you're 01:06:32.790 --> 01:06:35.719 a great friend , and I'm thankful . If 01:06:35.719 --> 01:06:37.663 it wasn't for the , the first five 01:06:37.663 --> 01:06:40.149 gentlemen that I had to be recognized , 01:06:40.479 --> 01:06:42.535 I wouldn't be here today either . So 01:06:42.535 --> 01:06:44.535 thank you , thank you , thank you . 01:06:53.260 --> 01:06:55.659 And I'd also like to thank Betty , who 01:06:55.659 --> 01:06:57.780 is my rock , who I love with all my 01:06:57.780 --> 01:07:01.169 heart . And especially my son-in-law 01:07:01.169 --> 01:07:04.840 Jamie . You're looking at a 78 year old 01:07:04.840 --> 01:07:07.600 man and here they're telling me I have 01:07:07.600 --> 01:07:10.419 to do this and do that with computers 01:07:10.719 --> 01:07:13.090 and believe me , if it wasn't for them , 01:07:13.399 --> 01:07:17.219 I would have never got done . One time 01:07:17.219 --> 01:07:19.441 we were trying to figure out some stuff 01:07:19.659 --> 01:07:21.826 and Jamie , he's pretty sharp at being 01:07:21.826 --> 01:07:24.060 a tech savvy guy . He's got us on 01:07:24.060 --> 01:07:26.659 FaceTime telling us what to do . He's 01:07:26.659 --> 01:07:29.100 in Michigan and we're in Florida , so 01:07:29.100 --> 01:07:31.378 thank you Jamie for everything you did . 01:07:40.139 --> 01:07:43.149 I know this is really important for 01:07:43.149 --> 01:07:45.371 everybody who's here , and I appreciate 01:07:45.371 --> 01:07:47.427 this is being live streamed all over 01:07:47.427 --> 01:07:50.159 the world . Then I also know that it's 01:07:50.159 --> 01:07:52.979 being live streamed up in heaven . 01:07:54.010 --> 01:07:56.129 And I know right now that my 01:07:56.129 --> 01:08:00.010 grandparents , my mom and dad . My 01:08:00.010 --> 01:08:02.090 godparents , my uncle Swanny and my 01:08:02.090 --> 01:08:05.060 dad's sister , Aunt Pat . They're 01:08:05.060 --> 01:08:08.389 looking down , smiling , along with 01:08:09.530 --> 01:08:13.239 My brother Paul . And my brother Cal . 01:08:14.709 --> 01:08:16.959 I had a cousin , Chris Valmer , who was 01:08:16.959 --> 01:08:19.589 killed in action . In Vietnam with the 01:08:19.589 --> 01:08:21.790 1001st Airborne , and I know he's 01:08:21.790 --> 01:08:25.009 smiling down . And also some of the 01:08:25.009 --> 01:08:27.176 people that I served with when we were 01:08:27.176 --> 01:08:29.870 over there . Philip Baker . 01:08:32.000 --> 01:08:35.899 Ted Calhoun . Lieutenant Noel . 01:08:39.398 --> 01:08:42.080 The old sneak . Zumi . 01:08:43.879 --> 01:08:46.979 Dillard Dusty 01:08:47.959 --> 01:08:51.509 Pappy And Mike Baldwin , me and Mike 01:08:51.509 --> 01:08:54.529 Baldwin . Went in country the same day , 01:08:54.540 --> 01:08:57.419 and he unfortunately was killed in 01:08:57.419 --> 01:08:59.490 action on the 13th of September . 01:09:03.990 --> 01:09:06.101 Another person I would really like to 01:09:06.101 --> 01:09:08.500 thank today is , and this means a lot 01:09:08.500 --> 01:09:11.479 to me . Major General Greene , well , 01:09:11.789 --> 01:09:13.900 as far as I'm concerned , it's Pastor 01:09:13.900 --> 01:09:15.956 Greene , the most important thing in 01:09:15.956 --> 01:09:19.229 the world . I have kind of been the 01:09:19.229 --> 01:09:21.229 biggest thing I noticed since being 01:09:21.229 --> 01:09:24.290 here . Was how much all three 01:09:24.290 --> 01:09:26.910 recipients and their families , how 01:09:26.910 --> 01:09:30.109 much we love the Lord and Savior , and 01:09:30.109 --> 01:09:33.410 all of us profoundly love our country . 01:09:34.470 --> 01:09:37.009 And also , we were all NCOs , that's 01:09:37.390 --> 01:09:40.310 really important to me . And 2 of us . 01:09:41.319 --> 01:09:43.486 We're the CIB , which I've always said 01:09:43.486 --> 01:09:45.541 is the greatest award you could ever 01:09:45.541 --> 01:09:49.379 get . And Miss 01:09:49.379 --> 01:09:52.529 Paula . If it wasn't for you , 01:09:53.959 --> 01:09:56.549 And your team Lieutenant Colonel 01:09:56.549 --> 01:09:58.609 McWright , and your team . 01:10:00.529 --> 01:10:02.799 You , you've helped groom a crusty old 01:10:02.799 --> 01:10:04.910 soldier , and I really appreciate all 01:10:04.910 --> 01:10:07.770 that . And there's a lady I'm going to 01:10:08.129 --> 01:10:10.330 make sure that I see before I go home 01:10:10.330 --> 01:10:13.060 tomorrow . She is one of the biggest 01:10:13.060 --> 01:10:15.740 sweethearts I ever , that I've ever met . 01:10:16.580 --> 01:10:18.802 And the sergeant Major of the Army , he 01:10:18.802 --> 01:10:20.913 knows her personally , and he told me 01:10:20.913 --> 01:10:22.969 how I can find her . You can bet I'm 01:10:22.969 --> 01:10:25.080 gonna give her another sweet hug when 01:10:25.080 --> 01:10:27.080 she goes home because she's the gal 01:10:27.080 --> 01:10:29.136 that helped get this uniform ready , 01:10:29.136 --> 01:10:30.580 which I so proudly wear . 01:10:32.589 --> 01:10:35.850 So hopefully I don't forget anybody 01:10:35.850 --> 01:10:37.850 because I , I had some things wrote 01:10:37.850 --> 01:10:40.979 down this morning . And I had a couple 01:10:40.979 --> 01:10:44.419 of soldiers that were there and wanted 01:10:44.419 --> 01:10:46.939 their picture taken with me . I laid my 01:10:46.939 --> 01:10:48.939 notes down , shook their hand , and 01:10:48.939 --> 01:10:52.540 walked away . And the last person I 01:10:52.540 --> 01:10:54.779 would really like to thank , Staff 01:10:54.779 --> 01:10:57.580 Sergeant Dan Ellis . He's with the old 01:10:57.580 --> 01:11:01.470 guard and he has been my . Since 01:11:01.470 --> 01:11:03.629 our 8 hours in the airport in Tampa 01:11:03.629 --> 01:11:05.907 getting here until we go home tomorrow . 01:11:06.600 --> 01:11:09.520 And it was 2 of the soldiers that he 01:11:09.520 --> 01:11:12.089 worked with . That I got my picture 01:11:12.089 --> 01:11:14.145 taken with this morning , which I so 01:11:14.145 --> 01:11:16.500 proudly did . That's when I lost my 01:11:16.500 --> 01:11:17.879 notes , so , but . 01:11:21.500 --> 01:11:23.667 We'll get down to the real thing right 01:11:23.667 --> 01:11:26.359 now . The reason I'm here . I'd like to 01:11:26.359 --> 01:11:26.899 uh . 01:11:30.540 --> 01:11:33.540 Thank all of my friends , soldiers , 01:11:33.660 --> 01:11:35.549 and honored guests who are here . 01:11:38.049 --> 01:11:41.990 Thank you so much for being here . This 01:11:41.990 --> 01:11:45.430 induction means so much to me today . 01:11:48.310 --> 01:11:50.689 We came together to honor courage , 01:11:51.200 --> 01:11:54.290 leadership . In unwavering service . 01:11:55.620 --> 01:11:57.731 And I'm honored to be among the great 01:11:57.731 --> 01:12:00.729 men . that did so much for our country . 01:12:02.759 --> 01:12:05.410 But I want it to be clear about the 01:12:05.410 --> 01:12:09.350 medal that I'm wearing . It 01:12:09.350 --> 01:12:11.669 will always belong to Alpha Company . 01:12:12.770 --> 01:12:15.549 Lima Platoon . In the first entry 01:12:15.549 --> 01:12:17.509 division , Big red one . 01:12:19.339 --> 01:12:21.620 It represents my unit's collective 01:12:21.620 --> 01:12:25.169 service . Selfless sacrifice . 01:12:26.390 --> 01:12:30.279 An unbreakable bond . You see , 01:12:30.359 --> 01:12:34.029 I needed them . And they also needed me . 01:12:36.009 --> 01:12:38.120 For me it's always been about putting 01:12:38.120 --> 01:12:41.160 soldiers first . Always 01:12:42.359 --> 01:12:46.040 I invested in my soldiers . I knew 01:12:46.040 --> 01:12:49.970 every one of them . I knew what 01:12:49.970 --> 01:12:53.919 they needed . And I also 01:12:54.419 --> 01:12:57.310 knew their families back home . By what 01:12:57.310 --> 01:13:01.279 they told me . That's why I wear this 01:13:01.520 --> 01:13:05.049 Medal of Honor . It will never be my 01:13:05.049 --> 01:13:08.709 own . But I share it with my team . 01:13:11.509 --> 01:13:13.689 From a young farm boy in Michigan . 01:13:16.259 --> 01:13:18.560 I excelled in school activities . 01:13:20.290 --> 01:13:23.169 Because I teamed the values of the hard 01:13:23.169 --> 01:13:27.060 work and dedication . By 01:13:27.060 --> 01:13:30.160 growing up on a farm . These 01:13:30.160 --> 01:13:32.600 principles would come to define my 01:13:32.600 --> 01:13:36.560 military career . I was drafted in 01:13:36.560 --> 01:13:40.290 1967 . I quickly 01:13:40.290 --> 01:13:44.259 rose through the ranks . Learning 01:13:44.259 --> 01:13:47.020 how to lead and support my team and how 01:13:47.020 --> 01:13:50.910 to make good decisions . During combat 01:13:51.250 --> 01:13:53.589 and under , while under enemy fire . 01:13:55.339 --> 01:13:59.259 On September 14th , 1968 . 01:14:00.500 --> 01:14:03.959 Near the Cambodian border . Lima 01:14:03.959 --> 01:14:07.870 Platoon was ambushed . By a 01:14:07.870 --> 01:14:10.589 large North Vietnamese Army battalion . 01:14:12.200 --> 01:14:15.740 We were under fire . But I got my men 01:14:15.740 --> 01:14:17.520 in the defensive positions . 01:14:20.560 --> 01:14:23.759 And I helped drag 3 wounded soldiers to 01:14:23.759 --> 01:14:27.049 safety . We were 01:14:27.049 --> 01:14:30.359 surrounded and our only hope . Was 01:14:30.359 --> 01:14:34.259 their support I ended 01:14:34.259 --> 01:14:36.660 up , I climbed up to the top of hill 01:14:36.660 --> 01:14:40.459 222 . Where I could get a good 01:14:40.459 --> 01:14:42.600 view of the situation down below . 01:14:44.810 --> 01:14:47.032 At the time , I didn't know I was going 01:14:47.032 --> 01:14:49.910 to be there for 8 hours . And I sure 01:14:49.910 --> 01:14:52.132 didn't know that about an hour into the 01:14:52.132 --> 01:14:54.299 whole thing I was going to get shot in 01:14:54.299 --> 01:14:56.600 the leg . By an enemy sniper . 01:14:58.479 --> 01:15:02.310 But my position was perfect . For 01:15:02.310 --> 01:15:03.810 directing in air support . 01:15:07.709 --> 01:15:09.931 I know I was up there for a long time . 01:15:10.890 --> 01:15:12.729 And I believe it was close to 32 01:15:12.729 --> 01:15:14.396 airstrikes that I called in . 01:15:16.890 --> 01:15:18.890 Eventually the air strikes are what 01:15:18.890 --> 01:15:22.279 forced the enemy . To retreat to the 01:15:22.279 --> 01:15:25.509 backside of the hill . Towards the 01:15:25.509 --> 01:15:26.565 Cambodian border . 01:15:31.470 --> 01:15:33.049 There is no greater pride . 01:15:36.700 --> 01:15:39.359 Than to learn that at least 85 of my 01:15:39.359 --> 01:15:43.049 fellow soldiers survived . And over the 01:15:43.049 --> 01:15:46.189 years , I have reached out to many of 01:15:46.189 --> 01:15:50.149 them . An old 01:15:50.149 --> 01:15:53.430 army guy . We don't really retire . 01:15:54.589 --> 01:15:56.729 They call us soldiers for life . 01:15:58.990 --> 01:16:02.250 And that's for a reason . Personally , 01:16:02.330 --> 01:16:05.629 I retired from active duty . And went 01:16:05.629 --> 01:16:09.410 on to serve . is an infantry soldier 01:16:09.669 --> 01:16:13.609 in the Michigan Army National Guard . I 01:16:13.609 --> 01:16:17.359 am a proud American . And I 01:16:17.359 --> 01:16:21.180 am profoundly grateful to be 01:16:21.180 --> 01:16:23.620 recognized with this Medal of Honor . 01:16:25.270 --> 01:16:28.919 I will always Be a 01:16:28.919 --> 01:16:32.390 loyal soldier . Of Lima Platoon . 01:16:33.810 --> 01:16:37.140 In the First Infantry Division . If you 01:16:37.140 --> 01:16:40.180 want to be one . Be a big red one . 01:16:42.629 --> 01:16:45.080 And their motto is , and I've , this , 01:16:45.160 --> 01:16:48.209 I've Believe this to this day . 01:16:50.270 --> 01:16:52.159 You know , there's no mission too 01:16:52.159 --> 01:16:55.549 difficult . No sacrifice too great . 01:16:56.399 --> 01:16:58.879 It's always duty first . 01:17:00.580 --> 01:17:04.319 God bless our soldiers . God bless our 01:17:04.660 --> 01:17:08.540 army . And God bless the United 01:17:08.540 --> 01:17:11.979 States of America , and I truly 01:17:11.979 --> 01:17:15.339 thank everyone in this room . For being 01:17:15.339 --> 01:17:19.279 here to help us celebrate today . Thank 01:17:19.279 --> 01:17:19.629 you . 01:17:28.919 --> 01:17:31.141 Thank you , Sergeant Major Richardson . 01:17:49.479 --> 01:17:51.759 Ladies and gentlemen , please stand and 01:17:51.759 --> 01:17:53.819 join in the singing of the Army song 01:17:53.910 --> 01:17:55.799 sung by Sergeant First Class Adam 01:17:55.799 --> 01:17:57.759 Struby and the United States Army 01:17:57.759 --> 01:18:00.109 Quintet led by Master Sergeant Kevin 01:18:00.109 --> 01:18:02.439 Gibo . The words to the Army song can 01:18:02.439 --> 01:18:03.939 be found in your program . 01:18:14.850 --> 01:18:17.580 March along sing a song . 01:18:18.830 --> 01:18:22.000 With the army of the free , 01:18:23.259 --> 01:18:24.959 count the bread . come the 01:18:28.529 --> 01:18:31.419 Victor with 01:18:35.290 --> 01:18:37.169 The army and proudly 01:18:39.080 --> 01:18:41.979 First to fight for the right and to 01:18:41.979 --> 01:18:44.370 build the nation's might , and the army 01:18:44.720 --> 01:18:48.209 goes rolling along . Proud of 01:18:48.229 --> 01:18:50.879 all we have done fighting till the 01:18:50.879 --> 01:18:54.680 battle's won . He rolling along . 01:18:56.069 --> 01:18:59.939 And it's Arm is on its 01:18:59.939 --> 01:19:02.439 way . Count off the cadences . 01:19:08.290 --> 01:19:09.290 always know 01:19:16.109 --> 01:19:18.276 This concludes the Medal of Honor Hall 01:19:18.276 --> 01:19:20.350 of Heroes induction ceremony . Thank 01:19:20.350 --> 01:19:21.461 you for attending . 01:19:27.669 --> 01:19:29.790 Ladies and gentlemen , please join in 01:19:29.790 --> 01:19:31.679 congratulating the Medal of Honor 01:19:31.679 --> 01:19:33.401 recipients and families in the 01:19:33.401 --> 01:19:35.568 receiving line in front of the stage . 01:19:35.568 --> 01:19:35.540 Thank you .