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Salutes at the tomb

Posted: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 4:38 PM by Barbara Raab
Filed Under:

By Brian Williams, Anchor and managing editor

Just down the white marble steps from the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington Cemetery at 8:30 this morning, I called a news conference to order (with apologies delivered from the podium for fellow members of the press) in my capacity as a member of the Medal of Honor Foundation Board.

Before me in the audience: 34 recipients of the Medal of Honor. With me on stage: Retired General and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, whom I introduced to help with today's honors: the first-ever recognition of civilians -- the three national finalists for the "Above and Beyond Honors". (Read about the winners here, here, and here.)

Image: Colin Powell Speaks At Above And Beyond Citizen AwardsThis is National Medal of Honor Day, and this is the first time the recipients have done this -- putting the full weight of the honor bestowed upon them, behind an honor given out to others.

We'll feature today's news conference at the end of our broadcast tonight, but I'm just enormously proud of these men who have become my friends -- these 105 living recipients. One among them, Vietnam Veteran Paul Bucha, came up with the idea of the Honors and today's ceremony. I cannot express what an honor it is, of all the people I've been lucky enough to know in my life -- to stand at that podium this morning and look out at their faces -- and receive smiles of friendship back from them.

That they allow me in their company is an honor in itself. In our age of endorsements, these men could probably get rich on the honor their nation has placed around their necks. Instead, they are sharing it with others. I'm not surprised.

I hope you will join us for tonight's broadcast.

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Comments

America is a fine nation made up of great people! Congratulations to all the "Above and Beyond Honors!"  It is SO good to hear some good news!

Brian,  I hope each and every night you realize what super fine things you have access each and every day.   Thanks again for sharing some good news for the day!

With regards to some of the comments from the other day, wow!  This is a friendly place.   I am assuming some of you all know each other personally.   I have never seen XXX's and OOO's on a news blog before.   Spread the love and have a great day here at the Brian Williams blog! okay?

Anna (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 5:04 PM)

Good Evening Mr.Williams, First of all what a wonderful honor to bestow to civilians. It must have been extremely impressive for you to look out upon the 105 recipients. I remember reading about Vietnam Veteran Paul Bucha in the postings of the Medal of Honor recipients last year and I think he came up with a really great idea. You are very fortunate to know these men and have such nice friendships with them. Truly men to be honored. I will look forward to seeing the news conference on the broadcast. Peace to all!
PS- XOXOXO to Laurel, Jackie, and Stephanie! You all are wonderful!! Always be well!!

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 5:15 PM)

Brian, I can't wait to see this broadcast, and I'm so thankful that you've introduced us to the MOH organization. It's been both enlightening and uplifting for me!

Lynn G., Minneapolis, MN (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 5:47 PM)

Hi Brian as usual it's early out her in LA but I enjoyed reading your post. I already told you the people you met in your life are the most valuable.
Now sorry to say I'm no longer a fan of ex Secretary of State Powell. I trusted him and he openly lied and as a result over 4000 young soldiers are dead. I know I pray every day to forgive but each day there's another soldier who died.

Brian please don't go off on Hillary as she misspoke. I know you might have to because of the company policies. Now I have watched the Media say nothing about the many times McCain forgets, misspeaks and even lies.  The Media welcomed the missteps Obama said he did with an indicted business man. Also no problem with the lie Obama continues to say in so many speeches that he voted against the war, when the truth is he never voted because he wasn't a Senator at the time.  I know a woman has to be better then a man and can't make one mistake or she's out. But this is getting a little silly now.

I'll see you at 6:30 pm LA time.

As always my friends Lisa and Laural

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 7:12 PM)

Good Evening Mr.Williams, Regarding the broadcast. My favorite journalist Richard was on the broadcast!! Yeah!! Always wonderful to see him!! Richard's report concerning the Iraqi oil and the corruption surrounding what happened to the oil was disturbing. In Richard's report it was stated 10 to 30 million dollars worth of crude oil was stolen and 1/3rd to the black market. It is interesting how the records were burned in the fire because that congers up the thought of the fact they were hiding the records. The fire in January 2007 certainly would be suspicious due to all the unaccountability of records of lost crude oil. The trucks keeping the levels the same by putting water in the tanks seems like cheating the system to me and proving how these people are just plain theives. Nobody appears to be punishing those committing these offenses because they won't admit to knowing any details. When Richard asked how much crude oil was smuggled everyday the man just said there are no records. These people are stealing this crude oil which as Richard stated 85% of Iraq's budget. The lifeline of the country being cut and it is very sad for the people. It makes one feel very bad for the innocent people trying to work hard for their families and desperately surviving when all these corruption is happening. Another wonderful report by Richard!! Always stay safe Richard!! On another note Mr.Savidge's report on the housing market showed how tough the market in many cities. It makes people really cautious about buying homes anywhere these days. And I noticed this morning on the Today Show that one of the reporters speaking on this subject was in Ridgewood, NJ. (I thought of you Amanda!) Finally, I really enjoyed the segment on th Above and Beyond honorees. Truly deserving people to be honored. Each of the three people really were impressive in what they did to help people and we should salute them as some of our very best.  Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Excellent report Richard! Always stay safe! Peace to all!

Hi to Laurel, Jackie and Stephanie! This blog is a friendly place!

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 7:18 PM)

Tonight I watched people receiving medals of Honor who were not in the military. I thought this was a great story, but you referred to the woman receiving a medal as a gym teacher, it should have been a physical education teacher (the gym is a place). As a physical education I take offense to hearing any PE professional addressed this way. Gym teacher brings the connotation of the 1970's roll out the ball type of teacher. PE has come a long way since then; dedicated teachers have changed PE by including everyone, not just the athletes, teaching lifetime activities, Health and Adaptive PE too. I think this woman who did something heroic, deserves to be addressed as a professional.
Thank you

Trish Albamonti, Westerly, RI (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 7:31 PM)

I was going to complain about the Clinton campaign's new misstep.  However, it almost feels irreverent to say any comments about anything but the ceremony for the "Above & Beyond" winners.  Two put their own lives in jeopardy for strangers; one has dedicated his life to saving those who would have no hope without him yet continue to live. I can only hope that, if I were to ever find myself in a life and death situation, I would react with the same selflessness as these individuals.  Their stories are all the more important considering we live in a day and age where is it common to see people not willing to get involved.  

And Brian, thank YOU for sharing the MOH recipients, their missions, and their continued love for their country as, without your dialogue on the subject, I would be totally ignorant of it.  

I WILL comment on Robert Bazell's story on premature births.  I was 6 weeks premature; my siblings were also 4-6 weeks premature.  Our mom was never in labor more than 2 hours with any of us.  When my 2 sisters & sister-in-law (who was also preemie) became pregnant, the doctors watched them.  Each of them had an early baby.  My mom could see how behind I was from my peers well into grade school.  I wonder if the difficulties I had with learning had something to do with being early.  Could this be one reason why I have such difficulties with certain things today, even in my 30s?  I find this study fascinating!  

PS Anna: to the best of my knowledge, I've never met anyone who posts on this blog, but it's not difficult to become part of the "family", I suppose.  It sometimes feels like being a coffee shop - gasp - we have our own "Friends" right here.  Does that make Brian our Gunther?  *grin* Just another corner of the world where you can still feel the love....occasionally!  :)

Hi Jackie, Laurel, Lisa, Lynn and everyone else!  Happy Tuesday evening!

Stephanie-Umbro, Maine (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 7:51 PM)

i was one of the soldiers escorting the metal of honor recipients. Your speach was great and almost brought me to tears. Thank you for your appreciation.

PFC Fritch, Ft. Myer VA (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 8:23 PM)

Interesting report tonight Brian.
Deep reporting on Hillary as we're seen since she got in the race and of course the hope she'll pull out. I wondered if the Media had done as much digging in the Bush/Cheney policies we would not be in the mess we're in. It's so important for the Media to honor the oath of fair/balanced reporting. I have hope with the new Administration we can get back to honesty and true reporting.

With the decision by the Supreme Court not to honor the World Treaty, looks like Countries around the World can now do the same thing. I knew when the US broke the Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions as the Bush Administration holds prisoners without charge, tortures men/woman/children and considers the US the Country that Controls the World.

As for the housing problem we see McCain really isn't interested and the Democrats are trying to help Americans with this problem. At lease it shows voters that McCain is alot like Cheney with his famous word SO! I hope we get a President who works for the American people as for the past 7 years we haven't had a President.

Any Mother would be proud of Chelsea and her answer was right no target.

Richards report showed just how corrupt Iraq is. I did notice how the White House gives 12 billion dollars a month to Iraq yet the Iraq Leaders are making big bucks selling the Iraq oil.  As we see the US Economy go into a recession it seems Iraq Leaders are doing very well with their stolen money. It's like telling your kid to get a job, while does nothing and you continue to give him money.

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California (Sent Tuesday, March 25, 2008 9:59 PM)

Congrulations to the "Above and Beyond Honors!" And rock on, Brian!

Bree, Tulsa OK (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:08 AM)

Thanking you for your Monday newscast with "limited commercial interruptions" would be like thanking you for beating me only 50 times instead of 100 times.  Here's a radical idea:  What about airing a newscast each night with NO commercial interruptions?  How about putting news before profit?  I would imagine that with all the money General Electric (your parent company) is making from the Iraq war, they could allow Nightly News to be commercial-free.  (I guess GE was the reason Nightly News ignored last week's Winter Soldier convention in Maryland in which hundreds of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans spoke out against the war--your parent company wouldn't have been very happy if you had covered it.)  And are your viewers supposed to just accept that in the future, your coverage of the investment business will not be biased in favor of Fidelity Investments, the sole sponsor of your Monday broadcast?  Sponsors are like political lobbyists.  They pay lots of money, and in return they get favors and preferential treatment.

Norman Charles, NYC (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 5:23 AM)

Dear Mr. Williams
Being a veteran, but never having been in combat, I always stand in awe,of the CMOH recipients, for they are "True American Heros". I personally have met two of them: (Gen. Patrick Henry Brady; VN) & Rudy Hernandez; Korea) For me,it was a thrill of a life time & the pictures I have with them, are among my most treasured photographs.
Our school system, should teach our children about these real patriots. These are the roll models they need to emulate. Your association with the CMOH Foundation, must be extremely gratifying. Please continue to have news & information on these great men, I always look forward to seeing them.
Thank you. I remain ............
Sincerely,
A. Jerry Passaretti

Jerry Passaretti. USAF (62-66), Brooklyn , NY (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 8:44 AM)

Dear Mr. Williams
Being a veteran, but never having been in combat, I always stand in awe,of the CMOH recipients, for they are "True American Heros". I personally have met two of them: (Gen. Patrick Henry Brady; VN) & Rudy Hernandez; Korea) For me,it was a thrill of a life time & the pictures I have with them, are among my most treasured photographs.
Our school system, should teach our children about these real patriots. These are the roll models they need to emulate. Your association with the CMOH Foundation, must be extremely gratifying. Please continue to have news & information on these great men, I always look forward to seeing them.
Thank you. I remain ............
Sincerely,
A. Jerry Passaretti

Jerry Passaretti., Brooklyn , NY (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 8:45 AM)

Mr. Williams this is fantastic!  What a wonderful honor to bestow on our heroes.  I do believe that all those who perform so honorably in dangerous situations deserve recognition.  Maybe this will get our nation back to the people caring for others and helping in times of need.  Yes, we do have people who donate to great causes, but we have very few who will put their lives on the line to help their fellow man in dangerous situations.  

Keep these stories coming.  

We hear/see a lot of the bad going on...we need to see more of the good.

Marilyn Nelson, Minot, ND (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 1:30 PM)

Hillary really blew it when she first responded to the old footage of her arrival in Bosnia. She should have said she was referring to the media's questions as sniper fire. Wasn't whitewater and a couple other scandals going on back then? Her sheeple would have bought that line to cover the out right lie.

Dave, Tn (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 1:42 PM)

I saw you were going to be on Letterman tonight, I'll look forwarding to seeing it. If you hit a slow point in the interview/conversation, here's an idea why not ask if they could send me tickets for somewhere between June 30th through July 3rd.

Best of luck

Jeff M. Morristown (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 2:44 PM)

Brian, I have to admit you are a busy bee.
What are you burning in that clydesdale, rocket fuel?
Good work Briwi.

Andrea Monroe CT (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 3:05 PM)

Good story.  All the best with today's and future broadcasts, Mr. Williams.

Jamie, Salt Lake, Utah (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 4:22 PM)



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