PDA

View Full Version : Cpl. Jason L. Dunham



LittleRedWoodshop
11-13-2011, 08:42 PM
48926489274892848929

The Story of Marine Corporal Jason L. Dunham

Medal of Honor Recipient...

Corporal Jason L. Dunham was born on 10 November 1981 in Scio, New York. The date may seem insignificant to those who don't know its history. The ones who do know its significance celebrate this day - faithfully - each year. November 10th is the United States Marine Corps birthday... a birthday that Jason Dunham shares.

Corporal Jason L. Dunham was 22 years old when he left us. He came from the small town of Scio (sigh-oh) population 1900. Its the kind of town where everyone knows your name... where values and respect still mean something. It was here, along a winding country road filled with rolling-meadows, and a swift moving creek, that Jason L. Dunham was brought into this world.

As you turn into the Dunhams long driveway that leads to their house, the breeze catches a yellow ribbon tied to the mailbox and the story begins to unfold. The further you drive; two flags adorn the front porch, an American flag and the United States Marine Corps flag. And both seem to play the same quiet song, and yet both stand tall for this fallen young man. There is a final reminder that Jason Dunham is no longer with us a blue star in the front window has been replaced by a gold star, symbolizing the Dunham family loss.

On April 14, 2004, 3 days after Easter Sunday, Corporal Dunham was manning a checkpoint in Karabilah, Iraq, when an insurgent leapt from his car and began choking Corporal Dunham. A scuffle ensued as two Marines approached to help. Reportedly, the last words from Corporal Dunham were, No, No. Watch his hand. Suddenly, the insurgent dropped a grenade. Corporal Dunham took off his Kevlar helmet, dropped to the ground, and covered the explosive as best he could.

The blast seriously wounded all 3 Marines. Eight days later, Corporal Jason L. Dunham died at Bethesda Naval Hospital from wounds he received in the incident. He was 22.

Corporal Dunham made the ultimate sacrifice, and in doing so saved the lives of his fellow Marines. Due to his actions on that fateful day, Corporal Dunham has been awarded the Medal of Honor.

LittleRedWoodshop
11-13-2011, 08:43 PM
Unveiling Ceremony Includes Memorial,
Concert and Presentation of Colors
written by: Connie Ratisseau

Just a few days before the nation celebrated the 4th of July; friends, family and people who had never even met Medal of Honor Recipient Corporal Jason L. Dunham, gathered to permanently memorialize his life and sacrifice in Ridgeway, Pennsylvania at the dedication of the Jason L. Dunham Memorial. The dedication was made honoring his selfless act as he gave his own life on April 14, 2004 to save his fellow comrades in Iraq.

The full day of events began in Ridgeway at the First Presbyterian Church as four members of the US Marine Color Guard walked slowly down the aisle of the church to make a presentation of the American Flag to Deb and Dan Dunham, parents of Corporal Dunham. Also in attendance was Jasons sister Katie and grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Kincaid of Ridgeway.

After the moving story of Corporal Dunhams heroism was relayed by his commanding officer Major Trent Gibson, the ceremonies moved to Ridgeways VFW Post 5887 where the official unveiling, placement and dedication of the memorial was presented by Mr. Jason Allen of Topeka, Illinois.

Woodworker and CNC artist, Mr. Allen, who never personally met Corporal Dunham, was also the designer and creator of the cherry cabinet memorial that features two Lithophane photographs of Corporal Dunham, carved in acrylic and backlit to reveal its beauty.

The cabinet also features a glass enclosed area which houses a scale model designed by Mr. David Carter of North Little Rock, Arkansas of the soon to be commissioned US Navy guided-missile destroyer, USS Jason Dunham-DDG109..

The display also included a framed United States Flag transported by the 169th Air Squadron (Peoria Air Guard) to the battlefield in Iraq and returned to the Dunham Family in honor of Corporal Dunham.

Later that evening, a Benefit Concert was held featuring renowned gospel artist Mrs. Cathy Reynolds of Morton, Illinois. During the concert which included both gospel and patriotic music, Mrs. Reynolds was joined by the Lee County Concert Choir. Concert promoters received more than $1,200 in donations for the Cpl. Jason L. Dunham Memorial Scholarship.

About Corporal Jason L. Dunham: On April 14, 2004, 22 year old, Corporal Dunham from Scio, NY selflessly gave his own life to protect the lives of the members of his squadron by placing his helmet over a dropped live grenade and then covering it with his own body. The other two Marines survived the explosion with serious injuries, but Corporal Dunham died eight days later at Bethesda Naval Hospital. He has since received from President George W. Bush the nations highest military award, the Medal of Honor presented in January 2007. The US Navy in an unprecedented short period of time after his death named the newest guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham in March 2007. The destroyer is under construction and is expected to be delivered to the US Navy by fall of 2009. More information about Corporal Dunham can be found at www.jasonsmemorial.com (http://www.jasonsmemorial.com). Contributions to the Cpl. Jason L. Dunham Memorial Scholarship can be made on the same web site.

About Jason Allen: Mr. Allen of Topeka, Illinois is an artist and craftsman whose work can be seen at www.littleredwoodshop.com (http://www.littleredwoodshop.com) and www.carvewright.com/customergallery (http://www.carvewright.com/customergallery) . He is a founder of The CNC Art Guild Of America and proud veteran of the US Army.

About David Carter: Mr. Carter of North Little Rock, Arkansas is a teacher and member of the Central Arkansas Scale Modelers. He has created several precision scale models for use in historical programs and his works have been featured on the History Channel.

About Cathy Reynolds: Mrs. Reynolds of Morton, Illinois is a three time winner of the CIA Southern Gospel Artist of the Year Award. Mrs. Reynolds worked for three years on the Anita Bryant Show in Branson, Missouri and now directors The Central Illinois Performing Arts Studio in Morton. She tours the country performing at churches and many Veteran events and last December sang in the White House. More information is available at www.cathyjreynolds.com (http://www.cathyjreynolds.com)

LittleRedWoodshop
11-13-2011, 08:44 PM
USS Jason Dunham christened in Bath, Maine

By Kathryn Ross - Daily Reporter
Fri Jul 31, 2009, 10:34 AM EDT

BATH, Maine Saturday is Cpl. Jason Dunham Day in Allegany County, as proclaimed by county Board of Legislators Chairman Curtis Crandall. However, it is only one of several honors given to the fallen hero. Saturday also marks the christening of the USS Jason Dunham DDG 109 in Bath, Maine.

When Cpl. Jason Dunham passed away in April 2004, a new chapter began in his lifes story, albeit a posthumous one. As a result, Dunhams memory will live on through the Scio library, the post office, and his brothers and sisters serving aboard the USS Jason Dunham.On Saturday, his mother, Debra Dunham, will break a bottle of champagne over the hull of the USS Jason Dunham, following a long Navy tradition.

Dunham was awarded the highest honor for an American military man when, on Jan. 11, 2007, President George W. Bush presented the Marines family with the Congressional Medal of Honor. It was presented in a special ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C. Dunham was the second American to receive the Medal of Honor from service in Iraq, and the first Marine to receive the honor since the Vietnam War. In his hometown of Scio he has been honored with a room in his name in the new library located on Main Street and by the local post office which, shortly after his death, was officially renamed in his honor.

Now, the men and women who serve aboard the USS Jason Dunham will wear a patch of the ships crest on their uniforms which represents the sacrifice made by Dunham.

A press release from the Bath Iron Works restates the facts surrounding Dunhams act of heroism.On April 14, 2004, Squad Leader Cpl. Jason Dunhams squad was on patrol in Karabilah, Iraq when they heard the explosions of an ambush on their Battalion Commanders convoy. ... Jasons squad boarded Humvees and headed to the rescue. In that hunt they encountered a group of Iraqi vehicles, and stopped to check them out. Jim DeMartini, manager of communications for the Bath Iron Works, recently said in a press release, It was there that his fatal encounter with the attackers occurred. Were very excited about this ship and very pleased to be honoring the sacrifice of Jason Dunham in this way.DeMartini explained the poignant symbolism on the patch.

In the middle of the crest there is a helmet of antiquity, which symbolizes Dunhams sacrifice of his life to protect his troops. The helmet of antiquity recalls the incident of enemy attack on Dunhams squad, during which he used his helmet to contain a grenade and covered it with his body to protect his squad at the cost of his own life."

The colors, dark blue and gold, represent the United States Navy, while the purple detail on the helmet refers to the Purple Heart medal awarded to Dunham. The eagle, globe and anchor is the insignia of the United States Marine Corps and the inverted mullet symbolizes the Medal of Honor.After Saturdays christening, the USS Jason Dunham will be moved into drydock and then into the Kennebec River where it will be lowered into the river and tugged to the west bank. It will undergo Builders Trials until March and is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in April 2010 where it is expected to join the fleet and sail to its home port in San Diego, Calif.

LittleRedWoodshop
11-13-2011, 08:52 PM
48934 48935
Learn More Here ... (http://littleredwoodshop.com/Dunham_Story.html)

jaroot
11-14-2011, 07:03 AM
That's pretty cool and a real nice job on the display!