We lost a Great American yesterday

When we say our evening prayers, we should give thanks that our country produces men such as Jack Lewis. Rather boys such as Jack Lewis since he was only 14 when he lied about his age to join the Marines and only 17 when he saved his fellow Marines by diving towards a hand grenade on the Pacific island of Iwo Jima. Somehow he survived the over 250 pieces of shrapnel that ripped into his body. For his selfless heroism he was awarded our nation's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Not believing that he had used up all his good fortune in surviving in WW II, here is what he did later in life:

After the war, Mr. Lucas earned a business degree from High Point University in North Carolina and raised, processed and sold beef in the Washington area. In the 1960s, he rejoined the military, becoming an Army paratrooper to conquer his fear of heights, Ms. Drum said.

On a training jump, both of his parachutes failed, she said, and Mr. Lucas later said his stocky build and a last-second roll as he hit the ground had saved his life.

Rest in Peace Jack. The rest of us should remember the sacrifices made by your generation to ensure future generations of Americans would be free.