On Monday I was doing my usual channel-surfing and I was fortunate enough to come across a very special event. George Bush was awarding a posthumous Medal of Honor to the family of U.S. Army Private First Class Ross Andrew McGinnis. The 19 year-old McGinnis was on patrol in northeastern Baghdad. McGinnis was behind a .50 caliber machine gun which sat atop a Humvee carrying four of his fellow soldiers inside. An insurgent hurled a fragment grenade at the vehicle. The explosive device fell through the gun port and landed among McGinnis' fellow soldiers who prepared themselves for the blast after McGinnis' warning.
McGinnis did have a way out, however. He could have easily leaped off the Humvee and left his mates to fend for themselves. Instead, this brave man fell upon the grenade, covering it with his body, which ultimately took the full impact of the explosion, killing him instantly, thereby saving the lives of his comrades.
McGinnis was awarded the Silver Star for his bravery and he was also nominated to receive the Medal of Honor which is the highest award that can be given to an individual during a time of war. It was truly a touching ceremony. After reading a speech, Bush presented Thomas and Romayne McGinnis with their son's posthumous Medal of Honor. Afterward the President gently kissed the young soldier's Mother on the cheek, followed by a soft caress.
This was one of those moments where the old cliché was truly appropriate. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. However, while watching the event, I was astonished when I realized I was tuned in to CNN. Usually, CNN, which clearly advances an anti-Bush agenda, would not carry something of a positive nature concerning the Iraqi War, especially a ceremony to honor a fallen member of the Armed Forces. I'm sorry if this sounds like an over-generalization, but CNN has earned this reputation. I quickly decided to check out what other cable networks, if any, were carrying the ceremony live. To my astonishment, MSNBC was also broadcasting the presentation live from the White House. Surely, if these two left-leaning cable news networks were covering Ross McGinnis' story so would the FOX News Channel (FNC). Sadly, this was not the case. FOX was in the midst of running a series of commercials right around the time the President was handing the Medal of Honor to Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis.
Now those of us who follow politics fully understand FOX News is far more balanced in its coverage of political and social happenings than CNN or MSNBC. However, sometimes there are moments which transcend the world of politics. Why did the news directors at CNN and MSNBC feel it was important to cover the McGinnis Medal of Honor presentation while the decision-makers at FOX did not? FOX certainly has profited from its more conservative approach to the news. Indeed, the network probably took too much for granted when it was obvious FOX had its favorites during the Republican primary season and actually made an effort to influence who would be the GOP's choice for president. The network has certainly alienated supporters of Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul in FOX's effort to boost the candidacies of Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney. There are those who are still angry at FOX for stepping over a boundary no network should cross. In fact, much of FOX's success stemmed from the network's reluctance to lead the public around by the nose, as is the modus operandi of CBS, NBC and ABC.
In the case of PFC Ross McGinnis, someone at FOX decided earning a few more bucks was more important than honoring a fallen hero.
Perhaps it's time for Mr. Roger Ailes, the President of FNC, to apply a little introspection as to why his network became so successful. Otherwise it is possible one of his competitors might smell the coffee one day, play it straight and get back some of the audience they lost in recent years.
But, for the moment, let's put aside politics and television ratings. We honor the life and service of PFC Ross McGinnis.
Here is a copy of Private First Class Ross McGinnis' actual Medal of Honor citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an M2 .50-caliber Machine Gunner, 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Adhamiyah, Northeast Baghdad, Iraq, on 4 December 2006.
That afternoon his platoon was conducting combat control operations in an effort to reduce and control sectarian violence in the area. While Private McGinnis was manning the M2 .50-caliber Machine Gun, a fragmentation grenade thrown by an insurgent fell through the gunner's hatch into the vehicle. Reacting quickly, he yelled "grenade," allowing all four members of his crew to prepare for the grenade's blast. Then, rather than leaping from the gunner's hatch to safety, Private McGinnis made the courageous decision to protect his crew. In a selfless act of bravery, in which he was mortally wounded, Private McGinnis covered the live grenade, pinning it between his body and the vehicle and absorbing most of the explosion.
Private Ross McGinnis' gallant action directly saved four men from certain serious injury or death. Private First Class McGinnis' extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Above photo: Thomas and Romayne McGinnis accepting their son's posthumous Medal of Honor from President Bush on 06/02/08.
Would it be possible to send Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis a note of sympathy on the loss of their son? If so, please advise me on how to reach them. Thank you. G.Sprague
Posted by: geri sprague | December 12, 2008 at 01:05 PM