Another Unfair Attack On Dakota Meyer - Marines

 It sure is interesting to see those that point at a warrior and say “he doesn’t deserve” the Medal of Honor. I don’t think you even get an opinion unless you have been in theater, been shot at or walked in anything that resembles his shoes. Remember when you point your finger at something or someone; you have three more pointing back at yourself. The military, especially the Marines take great detail in getting first hand statements. Every award is justified. So I ask, what gives these “closet” opinion generators the right to come out now and blast this warrior?  I’m sure he just rather you said “Thank you”. The last person anyone should be attacking is Dakota Meyer, I think he has had his share compared to those making allegations.

(Below articleBy Rick Leventhal)

Dakota Meyer never asked for the attention he's getting and he's never considered himself a hero. He was thrust into the spotlight because of his actions in battle on the worst day of his life in one of the roughest places on earth, a day when his best friends died despite his most determined efforts to save them.

Now, the Medal of Honor recipient is dealing with a new firestorm. Allegations made by a writer embedded with his unit that some details of the narrative of that day are false.

I've met Dakota Meyer at several events. We had dinner together and spent 90 minutes in a car during rush hour in New York City, talking about anything and everything. I've spoken with him dozens of times on the phone, when the 23-year-old was home on his farm in rural eastern Kentucky or traveling in between the parades, dinners, classrooms and other personal appearances that have dominated his days since he received the nation's highest honor from the President in the White House.

To friends, I describe Dakota as a big kid, very funny, quick and sharp witted. He's also warm and friendly and honest, handling himself with amazing composure considering how much he's had to deal with and how different his life is today.

Dakota says "it's not about me, it's about America. I don't care about skin color or religion or political parties. I believe in this country."

He respects the flag and the freedoms it represents. In fact, he went to war to fight for the writer's right to print the article that has now created a dark cloud over his shoulder.

He's upset about the story and frustrated he can't respond to it directly. There's much he's told me that I'd love to share but promised I wouldn't. He's letting the Marine Corp handle it, avoiding what he says would be "a war of words."

"Don't envy me", Dakota says. His face is plastered on front pages now with headlines like "Heroic Actions, Distorted Tale?". His friends and family see it and have to deal with it. Strangers approach him on the street, paper in hand, asking "is this you?"

Dakota is staying focused on what's most important. He's raising money for the Marine Corp Scholarship Foundation, collecting more than $300,000 towards his $1 million goal. He wants to use whatever status he has to help others and spread the word that we live in the greatest country on earth.

He won't call himself a hero. But he is one. One of thousands, serving this nation every single day.

 

Comments

[Mike P]

Haters gonna hate, Major. What some douche bag journalist has to say doesn't mean a thing, Sgt. Meyer and the other Marines and soldiers that were there know what went down, that's all that matters. Sgt. Meyers humbleness speaks volumes. Semper Fi.

[Howard]

Thank God for men like Dakota Meyer and all the other troops in our military. With folks like this we can defeat any threat to our nation!!

[Arrow]

Just my two cents...

There are a few newspapers in my area I wouldn't use to wrap dead fish in same/same McClatchy.

Below are the links to two differnt articles on Dakota Meyer by Jonathan S. Landay from McClatchy Newspapers on the same day December 14, 2011:

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/12/14/133134/medal-of-honor-inflated-story.html#disqus_thread

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/12/14/133122/meyer-deserved-medal-of-honor.html

There is a third article by Johnathan S. Landay where he reports on the ambush on September 8, 2009 from his position as an embedded reporter. (You might want to take a look at the video also):

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2009/09/08/75036/were-pinned-down-4-us-marines.html

Link to Marine Corps statement on Dakota Meyers Medal of Honor:

http://www.marines.mil/unit/hqmc/Pages/MARINECORPSSTATEMENTONCPLMEYERSMEDALOFHONOR.aspx

I couldn't say it better than Mike P and Howard in the previous posts. Amen to both with prayers out for Dakota Meyer, his family and friends.

Keep movin' and stay alert ladies and gentlemen we've got miles to go before we sleep and the way ahead is looking mighty rough.

[Arrow]

For those that have the time...

Google search

Jonathan Landay antiwar

You Tube Search

Scott Horton Interviews Jonathan S. Landay

[Maj Pain]

Medal of Honor Recipient Drops Defamation Lawsuit http://goo.gl/DERFY

[Maj Pain]

Statement from the Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos

The series of McClatchy news articles have cast doubt on the decision to award the Congressional Medal of Honor to Sgt. Dakota Meyer. I stand firmly behind the process and the decision to award the Medal of Honor to Sgt. Meyer.

The Medal of Honor is our nation's highest award for bravery. Fittingly, it involves the most demanding of investigations and multiple levels of review. This process, followed scrupulously in this and other cases, is designed to confirm with as much certainty as possible that the level of bravery and self sacrifice displayed is worthy of this singular honor. Selflessness of this caliber cannot be measured under ordinary circumstances, because the ordinary does not evoke the extraordinary. Rather, the Medal of Honor requires that a display of heroism take place under the most difficult circumstances our service members can face. With life and death hanging in the balance, brave warriors, like Sgt Meyer and those who have gone before him, override their natural, instinctive impulses of self preservation and risk their lives to save others. Our highest honors are reserved for those who perform such deeds in combat while facing the enemy and braving his fire.

The Marine Corps has reviewed the investigations, the many and varied statements submitted by those who observed the battle in the Ganjgal Valley, the statements of those who participated in pieces of it, and the multiple reviews and endorsements confirming that Sgt Meyer exhibited the rare courage and selflessness worthy of our nation's highest military honor. The ambush and ensuing six hour firefight was without a doubt a "life defining event" for those present that fall morning. As such, it was seen and subsequently recorded from many different perspectives, each with a personal view of how events unfolded. This thorough review did not cause me to question the extraordinary heroism of, then, 21-year-old Cpl. Meyer, nor the worthiness of the award; just the opposite occurred. Sworn testimonies substantiated the events of that morning and the extreme heroism of Dakota Meyer. The facts are that he saved many lives and recovered the bodies of his fallen comrades. In this, he did not act alone; other brave warriors-soldiers and Marines and Afghans-were also in the fight for their lives..

In the final analysis, I did not find cause to question any single fact, nor minor discrepancy that may be buried in descriptions of a battle that lasted for hours and evoked such bravery in our troops. My only question is - where do we find such men?

[mindy1]

What kind of asses question the honor of an MOH recpient?? >:(

[Pincher]

Mindy... The answer to your question ...
..BIG DUMB ONES..

[texasdillo]

Hey old friend. Been a while since I posted. I will just say it bluntly. Anyone who criticizes a grunt, especially a MOH recipient, is worthy for nothing more than a Kabar shave.

[Kim L. Short]

I've never actually come across anyone who openly claimed that a medal recipient didn't deserve the recognition.

First time for everything.