I returned to my hometown in Massachusetts and, while visiting family here, attended the Memorial Day service on the town common. The town is so old the honor roll includes someone who died in battle during the French-and-Indian Wars, one Increase Robinson. Six Robinsons from the town died in the American Revolution, including one named Snow. There was also someone named Scipio Pance (and my brother wonders if that odd name wasn't some long-gone someone's idea of a joke, "Zippy You Pants.") It was a classic small-town ceremony, with the high school band, speeches by town officials, a reading of LIncoln's Gettysburg Address by a student, a wreath laying and echo taps. An old schoolmate, brother of the town's only Vietnam War casualty, was there. So far, the town has not lost a son or daughter in Iraq.

I have lived my whole life with the name and image of Gordon M. Craig. He was a winner of the Medal of Honor, from my hometown. He died early in the Korean conflict. There is a bridge named after him. His portrait hangs in the high school lobby, along with his medals. I was always told that he had thrown himself onto a hand grenade to save others. It's a true story, and here is the Congressional citation:

Cpl. Craig, 16th Reconnaissance Company, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. During the attack on a strategic enemy-held hill his company's advance was subjected to intense hostile grenade mortar, and small-arms fire. Cpl. Craig and 4 comrades moved forward to eliminate an enemy machine gun nest that was hampering the company's advance. At that instance an enemy machine gunner hurled a hand grenade at the advancing men. Without hesitating or attempting to seek cover for himself, Cpl. Craig threw himself on the grenade and smothered its burst with his body. His intrepid and selfless act, in which he unhesitantly gave his life for his comrades, inspired them to attack with such ferocity that they annihilated the enemy machine gun crew, enabling the company to continue its attack. Cpl. Craig's noble self-sacrifice reflects the highest credit upon himself and upholds the esteemed traditions of the military service.