Continuing with the Tribune commentary.
Sgt. WILLIAM CARNEY-- Helped lead the 54th Massachusetts, a US black regiment against the Confederate defenders at Fort Wagner near Charleston, SC. This battle was popularized in the movie "Glory."
Although shot three times crossing the sand, he managed to keep the flag aloft. "Boys, the old flag never touched the ground!" he explained as he made his way back to Union lines. The regiment lost nearly 50% of its strength in the attack.
Marine Corporal JASON DUNHAM-- In 2004, he was on his way to help an ambushed convoy in western Iraq when an insurgent attacked him. As two other Marines rushed to subdue the man, a live enemy grenade fell to the ground.
Dunham threw his helmet over it, then covered the helmet with his own body. He saved the others, nut was mortally wounded.
The first widely-observed Memorial Day was in 1868 when it was known as Decoration Day and was in honor of Civil War veterans. It has since been expanded to cover all veterans.
A Tip of the Hat to Our Heroes. --Cooter
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