Monday, November 12, 2007

Immigrant Soldiers and Heroes

Some people grimace at the thought of Veteran's Day in 2007. With the true story of how badly our veterans are treated by our government after they are injured, it makes you wonder why in the world anyone would join the military these days - especially to go to a war (Iraq) that is not a war but a bloodbath.

Yet, we are a sovereign nation. We have an Army. I supposed war and the military are just part of being a nation-state.

This nation-state who today has such a negative position regarding immigrants - has gladly taken recruits (and draftees) who are not U.S. citizens... in fact has taken many who were not even U.S. residents - even though they say this is against policy.

Immigrants have served this country well, in fact, in an exceptional manner.




A Veteran's Day Remembrance: Immigrant Medal of Honor Recipients

by Stuart Anderson
CATO Institute


As Veteran's Day approaches, the time has come to pay tribute to those who have given their lives to this country, though they were not born in this country. Immigrants have received the Medal of Honor in every war since the medal was first established. To receive it, a recipient must risk his life, the bravery of his act must be considered beyond the call of duty and distinguished from other acts, and at least two eyewitnesses must have observed the act and provide incontestable evidence that it occurred.

More than 20 percent (over 700) of the Congressional Medal of Honor recipients in U.S. wars have been immigrants. As the official guide to recipients notes, "Those who have received the Medal of Honor since it was established in 1861 as the nation's highest decoration are as different as the melting pot population of our country..."




for complete article: http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=6269

previously posted on Immigration Prof Blog

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