Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
The Heroic American Life of George “Bud” Day
It seems only fitting that someone should remark here upon the recent passing of Colonel George “Bud” Day.
You’ve probably already read one of his numerous obituaries. You may have watched John McCain eulogize him on the floor of the Senate. But his life was so extraordinary, so courageous, and so honorable, that it practically cries out for a permanent memorial.
I’m not necessarily talking about a statue in his hometown or his face on a coin. I’m thinking of something more permanent, more personal. We should all pause once in a while to remember the man who so loved his country, and so respected his duties as a leader of men, that he could endure with dignity five years of inhuman brutality and torture at the hands of his North Vietnamese captors, only to return and say:
There were certainly a lot of acts of courage that probably far exceeded what [I] saw [myself] doing. I never saw myself as having performed so extraordinarily that I was going to be a candidate for a Medal of Honor. So I was very humbled and recognized that I was getting this medal on behalf of a lot of other things and people who for some reason had not been recognized.
Far better for us as a nation to be known for our Bud Days than our John Kerrys. Far better for our young people to aspire to the true grit of a Bud Day than the game-day grit of a Kobe Bryant. Far better for our Vietnam scholars to write and study the heroic American life of Bud Day than the sad tragedies of My Lai or Kent State.
American children should learn the life of Bud Day in school. We who have not served in our nation’s military should hold our manhoods cheap while any speaks of Bud Day.
Requiescat in pace.
Published in General
Thank you so much for this! I’m actually writing something up for another site right now. Col. Day was a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (as am I) and he spoke a bit about his faith last year.
As our church body’s Rev. Matthew Harrison said:
Thanks for writing this post and sharing that extraordinary video, Matthew. Tremendously inspiring. The good in the world depends on courageous and humble men like Bud Day.
Thank you for this.
For many of us in the Marine Corps, Bud Day was the shining example of what an American fighting man was. He exemplified courage as others might only hope to have, yet never considered himself anything more than the rest.
May the Lord bless him and keep him and make His face to shine upon him – and give him peace.
Wonderful thank you for sharing this!
Still makes my blood boil to think of that little hussy Jane Fonda……
Still makes my blood boil to think of that little hussy Jane Fonda…… ·6 minutes ago
Oh, I could think of SO many other adjectives for Jane!
For what it’s worth, the Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City, Iowa is subtitled “Colonel Bud Day Field”.
If you’re wondering why they have the URL “flysux.com”: Sioux Gateway Airport’s IATA code is “SUX”, which probably caused a lot of giggling among travel agents in the days before online travel booking. The good folks in Sioux City, after determining they couldn’t get it changed due to a dearth of 3-letter airport codes, decided to run with it, resulting in a plethora of “Fly SUX” gift items: http://www.siouxcitygifts.com/store/index.php/cPath/66
Bud Day, I enjoy the freedom you sacrificed so much to ensure. RIP.
Still makes my blood boil to think of that little hussy Jane Fonda…… ·19 hours ago
I wasn’t even born until 1978, and she still gets my blood pressure up. She and Sean Penn are the only two actors I absolutely refuse to watch.
I highly recommend Robert Coram’s biography,American Patriot: The Life and Wars of Colonel Bud Day. A riveting account of an amazing life.
BTW, you won’t regret reading Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed The Art of War and Brute: The Life of Victor Krulak, U.S. Marine, also by Mr. Coram.
Still makes my blood boil to think of that little hussy Jane Fonda…… ·6 minutes ago
Oh, I could think of SO many other adjectives for Jane! ·9 hours ago
Well, there is a Code of Conduct here……
Thanks to all who served. We don’t do enough for these brave men.