Support Our Troops - Fire the Government

I have been thinking a lot lately about the heroes that serve the United States in the military. Unfortunately our Republican controlled government has been failing them, but the vast majority of them still carry on day after day with honor and courage.

I want to take this opportunity to tell you about one of them that I am especially proud of, my cousin, Jim Stewart. Jim is a US Marine currently in Iraq, and even though I oppose the Iraq war, I am 100% in support of him and those who serve with him.

One of the main reasons I speak out so strongly against this war is I hope to see him - and the rest of our troops - return home safely.

Plattsburgh, NY, Marine risks life to save injured truck driver

By Cpl. Lucian Friel, 2nd Marine Division

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (June 15, 2006) -- Marines are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are expected to be ready for any situation that is thrown their way.

One Plattsburgh, NY, native, is living proof of this.

Lance Cpl. James A. Stewart, 20, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroic actions while serving as recruiter's assistant in his home state.

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is awarded to service members who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguish themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy.

On Jan. 3, 2005, Stewart was at the scene of a serious accident on New York Interstate 87, where a fuel tanker truck rammed into the back end of a parked tractor-trailer.

Stewart saw no other witnesses were reacting, so at great risk to himself, he approached the truck with the engine engulfed in flames and about to consume the cab.

The surrounding flames shot over 20 feet into the air and according to Stewart, the heat was so intense he and another Marine with him had to use their hands to shield their faces.

They quickly pried open the door to find an unconscious, severely injured driver trapped by a jammed seat belt latch.

"“The only thing I could think about was getting the driver out alive,"” explained the 2004 Beekmantown High School graduate.

They worked within the smoke-filled cab with the assistance of another truck driver who cut the seat belt. Moments before the cab was completely overtaken by flames, they pulled the injured man to safety.

Stewart, a Marine with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, received the medal from Maj. Gen. Richard A. Huck, the commanding general of 2nd Marine Division.

The upstate New Yorker was honored and humbled to receive the award.

"“It'’s an honor to receive this award,"” he said. "I didn't expect this. I was just doing my duty as a Marine and as a person."