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June 5, 2006
Paul Ray Smith and the Shame of Hollywood
Does the name "Paul Smith" ring any bells with you?
How about "Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith"?
He should be a household name, but of course isn't.
The shame is on Hollywood and our mass media.
If you want to know why, go here.
If you didn't already, now you know that Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith was awarded the Medal of Honor for valor in Iraq.
They don't hand out Congressional Medals of Honor to anyone. As the US Army website explains, "Medals of Honor are awarded sparingly and are bestowed only to the bravest of the brave; and that valor must be well documented." Since Vietnam, only two have been awarded, those to Army Master Sgt. Gary I. Gordon and Army Sgt. 1st Class Randall D. Shughart for valor in Somalia in 1993. Most, like those to Sgt's Gordon and Shughard, are awarded posthumously.
Sgt Paul Smith is no exception; he gave his life in defense of his country while fighting in Iraq. He rests at Arlington National Cemetary.
Go and read the citation for his actions.
And make sure you view the interactive feature which details his valor.
Of course, Sgt Smith isn't the only one who has received honors for valor in the War on Terror. The Centcom website has entire section devoted to all of them. There are other websites as well dedicated to telling their stories.
And in a larger sense every single one of our troops fighting the War on Terror, whether in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Horn of Africa or elsewher is a hero.
The Shame of Hollywood
There should have been at least a few movies about Sgt Paul Smith by now. A few of those "made for TV" insta-movies should have come out in late 2003. And a full-length feature movie could have been in the theaters by 2004 or 2005 at the latest.
But unless I am severly mistaken, Hollywood has produced nothing about Sgt Smith.
Yet they claim that they "support the troops".
I don't think so.
Posted by Tom at June 5, 2006 8:32 AM
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Comments
Tom, I have given up on Hollywood for the most part. I can't stand the crap coming out of there and I couldn't care less what the idiots out there have to say!
As for Sgt First Class Paul Smith, thank you so much for sharing his story and the link. I am going to go spend some time over there reading about him and others!
Posted by: Anna at June 5, 2006 12:58 PM
Tom Thank you for this story. I wasn't aware of it. Hollywood is the voice of the screaming left ,another arm of the media. I hardly attend the cinema I find the lack of creativity and the abundance of propaganda sickening.
Thanks for keeping us up to date. God Bless our Troops .
Linda
Posted by: linda bergin at June 5, 2006 9:25 PM
As an Army Veteran (1983-89), I salute the late Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith for his heroism and leadership. Sergeant Smith made the supreme sacrifice on behalf of his soldiers, with little thought for his own safety while fighting the enemy. SFC Smith was a consummate and demanding professional who trained his soldiers hard, and also had a great deal of concern for their welfare. The Sergeant's family suffered a loss that was tragic, and the Army lost a man who had the potential to rise to the position of Sergeant Major of the Army in the future. I salute a fine Man, American, and Soldier.
Posted by: Rich at September 14, 2006 6:44 PM
