Dean Kamen has done it again.

One of the world’s most interestig inventors, entepreneurs, and engineers, Kamen has brought to prototype a fully operational robotic arm which promises to revolutionize prosthetics as we know it.

Dean says that fatalities are down because of battlefield tech and triage methods. But that many soldiers are coming back missing limbs. He wanted to make an arm to replace their missing ones. He wants it sensitive enough to pick up a grape or allow soldiers to use a razor to shave, but be self-contained in terms of power. And a two- year deadline.

He say that a year later, they built an 8.9-pound arm using titanium, custom motors, and so on. There’s 18 degrees of freedom, and they’re now seeing a demo of a man who is scratching his nose. Dean says he did this in one year.

The control techniques are revolutionary. He’s playing a video of a guy who didn’t have both his arms for 18 years, and learned how to use the arms effectively in less than two dozen hours of training. He’s showing a video that shows a guy who knows how to punch, pass a Ping Pong ball to his friend and pour a drink for another man who is holding a cup with the same type of arm. Then the video shows Chuck, the man with no arms, for the first time in 13 years, feeding himself cereal. source

Thank you, Mr. Kamen!

On this day, our nation draws attention to the veterans of our Armed Forces, young and old. Some of us don’t need a special day, to give thanks for all that they have done for our great nation, while others do.
Most people don’t know the history of Veterans Day, it’s origins and it’s meaning, so I thought I would, for any that don’t know or are interested, highlight the significance of this day of remembrance.

“A Soldier Known But to God”
In 1921, an American Soldier-his name “known but to God” was buried on a Virginia hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington. The Arlington National Cemetery burial site of this unknown Wold War I soldier became the personification of dignity and reverence for America’s veterans.
Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France where an “unknown soldier” was buried in each nation’s highest place of honor (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe).
These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I hostilities at 11a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11month). The day became known as “Armistice Day.”
Armistice Day officially received its name in America in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 12 years later by similar Congressional action.
If the idealistic hope had been realized that World War I was “The War to end all wars,” November 11 might still be called Armistice Day. But shortly after the holiday was proclaimed, World War II broke out in Europe and shattered the dream. Sixteen and one-half million Americans took part. Four hundred and six thousand died. The families and friends of these dead longed for a way to honor their memory.

“To Honor veterans of All Wars”
An answer to the dilemma of how to pay tribute to those who had served in limits latest great war came in a proposal made by Representative Edwin K. Rees of Kansas: Change Armistice Day to Veterans Day, and make this an occasion to honor those who have served America in all wars.
President Eisenhower, in 1954, signed the bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day, and he called for Americans everywhere to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace.
On May 30, 1958, two more unidentified American war dead were brought to Arlington Cemetery from overseas and interred in the plaza beside their Comrade of World War I. One was killed in World War II, the other in Korea. A law passed in 1973 provided for the interment of an unknown American who lost his life in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam era. For several years no qualifying remains were discovered so a memorial plaque was placed in the Amphitheater’s Memorial Display Room. On Memorial Day 1984, however, the Unknown Serviceman from that conflict was placed “In Honored Glory” Alongside his fellow countrymen.
To honor these men, symbolic of all Americans who gave their lives in all wars, an Army honor guard, The 3d United States Infantry (The Old Guard), keeps day and night vigil.

There you have the history and significance of our nations Veterans Day. For those of us who have served, and for those who have had family or friends serve, this day may have greater, and more personal, significance for you. I know it does for me.
As a young man, I saw and experienced things, that I would otherwise not have been exposed to, and I doubt I would be as appreciative of our veterans today, had I not, eventhough many of the things I saw and experienced were things I wish I hadn’t. It’s because I can never fully explain my experiences and feelings to others, is why vets have a gentle and quiet understanding of each other. While our experiences may not have been shared, the loss of innocence, and in some cases, the loss of our buds, have impacted our lives in a way that no other endeavor could.
I am reminded of the story of my friends Uncle Ricardo by War Chick, and a passage from her story:

This is a most glorious testament to manhood and the warrior spirit… that they bear this arduous burden with quiet dignity so those they love won’t have to. The beauty of this selfless act leaves me in awe. I have long understood the willingness to die for a friend… after all, that is the epitome of what Christ did, and for which we mortals strive. He died that we might live. But those who must live with the memories not only of dead friends but butchered enemies are the closest we, as weak, wretched beings born into this veil of tears, can ever come to knowing what Christ bore. The memories of war are the price that the good man pays; it is out of his deep love for others that he spares them this particular agony. It is perhaps summed up best this way: Upon these two laws doth every commandment hinge-that we love God, and that we love each other. There is no better example on earth of this unconditional love than the American soldier. They would die for their friends, true, but even more heart-breaking and remarkable about such men is that they also live with what they’ve had to do.

I, and the many veterans I know, are all proud to have served this great nation and it’s people. This is the one day we, as a nation, take the opportunity to recognize their sacrifices and service. However you chose to do so, by attending a local National Cemetery service, lighting a candle for them at church, or calling up a vet you know, just to let them know you are thinking of them, and their invaluable service for this nation’s freedoms and liberty, your effort will be no small thing.

Link source.

This week President Bush presented the first Medal of Honor awarded for combat in Afghanistan to the parents of Lt. Michael Murphy, a Navy SEAL who gave his life to save his team.

This was the third Medal of Honor awarded since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began, and it is the first awarded to a member of the Navy since the Vietnam War.

h/t IAVA

The Citation:

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, as the leader of a special reconnaissance element with Naval Special Warfare Task Unit Afghanistan on 27 and 28 June 2005.

While leading a mission to locate a high-level anti-coalition militia leader, Lieutenant Murphy demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan. On 28 June 2005, operating in an extremely rugged, enemy-controlled area, Lieutenant Murphy’s team was discovered by anti-coalition militia sympathizers who revealed their position to Taliban fighters. As a result, between 30 and 40 enemy fighters besieged his four-member team.

Demonstrating exceptional resolve, Lieutenant Murphy valiantly led his men in engaging the large enemy force. The ensuing fierce firefight resulted in numerous enemy casualties, as well as the wounding of all four members of his team. Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men. When the primary communicator fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant Murphy repeatedly attempted to call for assistance for his beleaguered teammates. Realizing the impossibility of communicating in the extreme terrain and in the face of almost certain death, he fought his way into an open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call. This deliberate heroic act deprived him of cover, exposing him to direct enemy fire. Finally achieving contact with his headquarters, Lieutenant Murphy maintained his exposed position while he provided his location and requested immediate support for his team.

In his final act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country and for the cause of freedom. By his selfless leadership, courageous actions, and extraordinary devotion to duty, Lieutenant Murphy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Sign Lt. Murphy’s Guest Book

Ever so often, an article comes along, that is just so compelling and moving, that I am stunned by the content of the story and the skill in it’s telling. This piece by Christopher Hitchins is in that category.
A Death In The Family.
This is the only quote I will post, so as to give you an idea of the story and the man.

A sergeant’s wife had written a letter to Linda and posted it on Janet’s MySpace site on Mother’s Day, to tell her that her husband had been in the vehicle with which Mark had insisted on changing places. She had seven children who would have lost their father if it had gone the other way, and she felt both awfully guilty and humbly grateful that her husband had been spared by Mark’s heroism. Imagine yourself in that position, if you can, and you will perhaps get a hint of the world in which the Dailys now live: a world that alternates very sharply and steeply between grief and pride.

This is one of the most emotionally deep and thoughtful pieces I have ever read. That doesn’t mean there aren’t even more or equally compelling stories about our brave young men and women, but the convergence of the tale and it’s telling is astounding to me.
As Mr. Hitchens states in one sentence, “If you have tears, prepare to shed them now …” In other words…*KLEENEX ALERT*

I cannot begin to express all the emotions I am experiencing about the young officer in this story, or his family and loved ones. I am saddened by his death, proud of his service, and given hope that men such as these will always be ready to stand up when our nation needs them.