thedrifter
08-02-09, 07:48 AM
Mom Christens Warship in Memory of N.Y. Marine
By David Sharp
Associated Press
Sunday, August 2, 2009
BATH, Maine, Aug. 1 -- In a solemn ceremony punctuated by talk of courage, service and sacrifice, the mother of a Marine corporal on Saturday christened a warship honoring her son, who died after covering an exploding grenade to protect his fellow soldiers in Iraq.
After taking a deep breath and composing herself, Deb Dunham smashed a bottle of champagne over the bow of the 510-foot warship Jason Dunham, then raised the bottle to the cheers of hundreds.
Retired Gen. Michael Hagee, a former Marine commandant who was with the Dunhams when their son died at Bethesda Naval Hospital days after the explosion, said Jason gave the "gift of valor." Hagee said the warship will serve as a reminder that freedom "is paid for by the men and women who wear the cloth of this nation."
"They are willing to give up everything that is important: love, marriage, children, family, friends," Hagee said. "I can tell you I've always stood in awe of that."
At the Bath Iron Works shipyard, a special area was reserved for those who served with Dunham, 22, in Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. Dunham's company commander, Maj. Trent Gibson, Sgt. Bill Hampton and Cpl. Kelly Miller, who were present the day Dunham died, were among them. Hampton and Miller were next to Dunham when the grenade detonated. He fell on the grenade to save their lives. They suffered burns and shrapnel wounds but recovered.
Dunham, from Scio, N.Y., was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.
On April 14, 2004, his squad sought to engage insurgents after a convoy was ambushed. While the squad searched vehicles, the driver of a Toyota Land Cruiser jumped out and attacked Dunham. They fell to the ground, where the fight continued.
Dunham shouted: "No, no, no! Watch his hand!" as the attacker pulled out a grenade. Dunham covered the explosive with his body and his helmet as it went off. He died eight days later.
Before the ceremony, Dunham's mother said it was fitting that the ship that would bear her son's name is a guided-missile destroyer. "It's an honor Jason would really get a kick out of," she said.
Ellie
By David Sharp
Associated Press
Sunday, August 2, 2009
BATH, Maine, Aug. 1 -- In a solemn ceremony punctuated by talk of courage, service and sacrifice, the mother of a Marine corporal on Saturday christened a warship honoring her son, who died after covering an exploding grenade to protect his fellow soldiers in Iraq.
After taking a deep breath and composing herself, Deb Dunham smashed a bottle of champagne over the bow of the 510-foot warship Jason Dunham, then raised the bottle to the cheers of hundreds.
Retired Gen. Michael Hagee, a former Marine commandant who was with the Dunhams when their son died at Bethesda Naval Hospital days after the explosion, said Jason gave the "gift of valor." Hagee said the warship will serve as a reminder that freedom "is paid for by the men and women who wear the cloth of this nation."
"They are willing to give up everything that is important: love, marriage, children, family, friends," Hagee said. "I can tell you I've always stood in awe of that."
At the Bath Iron Works shipyard, a special area was reserved for those who served with Dunham, 22, in Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. Dunham's company commander, Maj. Trent Gibson, Sgt. Bill Hampton and Cpl. Kelly Miller, who were present the day Dunham died, were among them. Hampton and Miller were next to Dunham when the grenade detonated. He fell on the grenade to save their lives. They suffered burns and shrapnel wounds but recovered.
Dunham, from Scio, N.Y., was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.
On April 14, 2004, his squad sought to engage insurgents after a convoy was ambushed. While the squad searched vehicles, the driver of a Toyota Land Cruiser jumped out and attacked Dunham. They fell to the ground, where the fight continued.
Dunham shouted: "No, no, no! Watch his hand!" as the attacker pulled out a grenade. Dunham covered the explosive with his body and his helmet as it went off. He died eight days later.
Before the ceremony, Dunham's mother said it was fitting that the ship that would bear her son's name is a guided-missile destroyer. "It's an honor Jason would really get a kick out of," she said.
Ellie