A True Hero Dies- No 24/7 coverage, barely a word!

Robert Blevins - AB of Seattle

Feel free to clip or link this article in any way that is acceptable, without asking.

This is a death that deserves a moment of silence in Congress!

50 votes

#89 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:44 PM EDT

Holly-348328

Flags should be lowered and I think a Washington official, preferably one who served in 'Nam should say a few words.

31 votes

#89.1 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:50 PM EDT

Bill Harrison

Lots of brave men there, then and always. Here's another -- Rick Rescorla. Why is it that good men die so that pieces of @!$%# can go on living? Doesn't make much sense.

26 votes

#89.2 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 11:20 PM EDT

tangojones

True heroes never seek glory, but it is owed them, anyway. Thank you for this story, Mad.

24 votes

#89.3 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 12:13 AM EDT

feetie

Thank you Ed for keeping my freedom alive. God Bless you!

12 votes

#89.4 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:51 AM EDT

This man is certainly an American hero.

He sounds just like my friend 'Hutch'.

I had to dig into the Wayback Machine at Newsvine for his story, one I published back in May of 2007:

'Hutch - A Better Man Than I'

5 votes

#89.5 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 5:20 AM EDT

Maria-789794

While I thank him for all he's done, he managed to live to his 80s. Lets not forget the heroes today who are dying in Iran and Afghanistan and barely made it to their 20s or 30s. They don't get media attention either

13 votes

#89.6 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:28 AM EDT

Robert Blevins - AB of Seattle

very good point....we would be hard pressed to list them all. everyday almost there is another story about more soldiers being killed. they remain faceless & nameless, except their hometowns. they are all in our thoughts and prayers.

12 votes

#89.7 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:31 AM EDT

Jay Keggerlord

It's a shame that Sheila Jackson Lee didn't think to put up a House resolution for this man. But, then again, Ed probably couldn't "moonwalk", so.....

In all seriousness, this man should be honored and and remembered for his selfless actions to save the lives of those men who were wounded that day. Many parents, wives, and children were spared a life-shattering experience of losing a loved one that day because of this man and he deserves our respect, thanks and prayers.

7 votes

#89.8 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:37 AM EDT

Rodney-889389

Present Arms...

Semper Fidelis, Major

11 votes

#89.9 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 9:41 AM EDT

jdl-28

People put singer who didn't do anything in over twenty years as hero, so many people forget who the real American are. Military personnel who was in war for this country seem to never get any respect and yet they are the ones who gave us all our freedom.

9 votes

#89.10 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 10:24 AM EDT

Maria says, in part:

'Lets not forget the heroes today who are dying in Iran and Afghanistan and barely made it to their 20s or 30s. They don't get media attention either...'

True, but not exactly true.

Often, media on these guys is localized. They get mentioned a lot on the local TV news or the local newspaper runs a bio, etc.

7 votes

#89.11 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 10:42 AM EDT

Jerry Verlinger

Good article maddad, and very nicely done.

I never heard about the Ed Freeman story, now I have, thanks for giving me the opportunity to say;

Thank you Ed Freeman, America is America, because of guys like you.

7 votes

#89.12 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 10:44 AM EDT

Lkessler

TY Maddad, Bill, for alerting the rest of us to the true heroes around us... who don't get a stitch of ink from the press.

Sad, really. But RIP, to both Mr. Freeman and Mr. Rescorla... They deserve every bit of recognition we can give them.

8 votes

#89.13 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 10:50 AM EDT

PanhandleMike

Mr. Freeman is a man amoung men. He was willing to sacrifice his life to save the lives of others. He is a TRUE HERO! Thanks maddad for this article.

5 votes

#89.14 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:36 AM EDT

Schroedingers Cat

I second your emotion! Real hero's like this man pass away but all this nation can think of is a performer who's life is more tragic because of his own mistakes than his accomplishments. And they think he is more important than our Military hero's who fought for the other mans right to make millions instead of save millions.

5 votes

#89.15 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:48 AM EDT

Maria-789794

True, but not exactly true.

Often, media on these guys is localized

granted, but it depends a lot on the local media. Sometimes it comes so matter-of-factly it upsets me; sometimes the weather forecast gets more emphasis.

However, it is good to hear from this seed how many of us recognize their effort and ultimate sacriface. This is what really counts

3 votes

#89.16 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:15 PM EDT

* The Dead Head *

Thanks Ed...Your a true HERO........what happened to real heros, and gentlemen................it became WWF, NFL, MLB, or some other crappy low educated job, that drop outs & class clowns that couldn't get good grades in school..........the brains get paid crap, while the moron jocks are steriod pumping heros.........

1 vote

#89.17 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 4:15 PM EDT

tyler

Here's Freeman speaking at an Aviation Ball less than a year before his death. Good speaker - you can't see anything, but it's worth listening to the whole thing.

5 votes

#89.18 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 4:55 PM EDT

Robert Bartholomew

Thank you for the story...

1 vote

#89.19 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 5:29 PM EDT

TL-770512

Mr. Freeman died in August 2008. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and has a Federal Building (Post Office) named after him. He has hardly been overlooked. The fact that he was/is not a household name has as much to do with us as a society as the modern media. War heroes haven't been truly celebrated since the Korean War. Whereas my parents grew up in households where General MacArthur was talked about as much as Marilyn Monroe or Rock Hudson, current society is caught up in celebrity for our sole source of heroes. Very sad, I agree.

That said, we shouldn't pass around an embellished article about Mr. Freeman to make that point... he doesn't need anyone's help to create a remarkable story of bravery and service - he did it on his own.

Check out: http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/freeman.asp

2 votes

#89.20 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 5:50 PM EDT

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/e/ed-freeman.htm

again and again...from this article....

I want to thank Nofluer for bringing the error to my attention in his comment. I will research better next time.

4 votes

#89.21 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 5:53 PM EDT

This is a great article worthy of being told over and over again! A true hero. Thank you Maddad. GG

1 vote

#89.22 - Wed Jul 22, 2009 5:18 AM EDT

Maddad - friend request sent.

Clipped this to groups. Thanks!

#89.23 - Wed Jul 22, 2009 5:36 AM EDT

Holly-348328

Outstanding, maddad! Comfort, peace and strength to his family and may legions of angels greet him.

25 votes

#90 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:47 PM EDT

Victoriawood

Good for you, maddad. Saw the headline and headed over pronto. Beautifully eulogized. I wonder how many of your compatriots might see this and join in for a word or two?

VDub

23 votes

#91 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:54 PM EDT

although i have no doubt the vets will come, i would be surprised if anywhere near the amount of people that have commented on the other recent death will stop in. this man served and risked his life for them and his brothers....we will see.

a good friend who is a vet from this war, passed the basic obit to me, i am just glad i had the chance to share it.

24 votes

#91.1 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:03 PM EDT

Victoriawood

And very eloquently at that.

16 votes

#91.2 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:40 PM EDT

landspirit

So very beautifully wrote. Thank you for sharing this. It is that men and women go to war and risk their lives, and we recognize and honor them less then actors or actresses that pretend to go to war for our entertainment. The extraordinary sacrifice and bravery of our true soldiers is what made our country and continues it as it is. My heart goes out to his family in condolence's over due. How can one even begin to compare an actor pretending to serve and risk his life, to a soldier that alone and with determination and courage did everything for little pay, and never near enough recognition?

18 votes

#91.3 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:36 PM EDT

velma dinkley

So very beautifully wrote.

Amen to that.

14 votes

#91.4 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 11:27 PM EDT

US Citizen-658112

Thank you, sir, for your honorable service to our country.

23 votes

#92 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:03 PM EDT

USA4Him

Amen!!

Thank You for your brave, courageous acts! For being so giving of yourself, for helping your brothers in a very dangerous situation! May you be in God's Glory and resting in His comforting Arms.

My dad is 77 years old and served in the US Army- Korean War, he was not involved in Ed Freeman's situation, but I bet he would have acted out as bravely as he did.

17 votes

#92.1 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:18 PM EDT

gladbutterfly

Right on, Maddad. I find it very disturbing that so much attention is paid to a celebrity death.

25 votes

#93 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:05 PM EDT

Scott Isaacs

While I know it can be unsettling to see so much attention paid to the death of Michael Jackson, I have known some veterans including my grandpa and others. I wonder if Freeman would want the attention of people glued to the Michael Jackson saga to start with. I'd rather be mourned by a few good people than turned into a spectacle by the mainstream media.

24 votes

#93.1 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:40 PM EDT

G. H.

True that Scott!!! Condolences to his family, and deep thanks to you, maddad for acknowledging a good Man and true hero! ♥

8 votes

#93.2 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:08 AM EDT

caroaber

Mr. Freeman certainly was heroic and his passing last June deserved coverage, just as his service deserved the accolades.

I don't feel the need to compare the coverage his death received with that afforded Michael Jackson, Anna Nicole Smith, or the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. Editors chose to give the veteran's death discreet coverage, and that seems fitting. (Only a handful of servicemen pierced through the popular culture, like Audie Murphy in WWII. Generally, veterans don't tend to toot their own horns.)

The excessive Jackson, Smith and Holloway coverage was driven by ratings. Such is the nature of commercial television--and celebrity.

5 votes

#93.3 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:45 AM EDT

caroaber

(I see that Mr. Freeman's death was not last June, but in 8/08.)

3 votes

#93.4 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:50 AM EDT

#9.3

1 vote

#93.5 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:35 AM EDT

Cactusflower18

Thank you for serving US.

I did receive an email about Ed last year and passed it on at the time. I'm glad to see that it is making the rounds, again or still. More stories of our heroes should be sent out.

3 votes

#93.6 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:46 PM EDT

Likewise!

#93.7 - Wed Jul 22, 2009 5:20 AM EDT

GoldenGateMami_Susi

True heroism doesn't require accolades and 24/7 coverage and over the top neurotic to the point of hysterical prostate adulation such as we've seen with Jackson and Anna Nicole Smith.

It just goes to show you that we have lost our way in terms of priorities and in terms of knowing what counts and what matters in this country.

He (Freeman) is a hero because he did more for 1 person and 1 entire family than Michael Jackson has done for millions.

22 votes

#94 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:08 PM EDT

Zom Zom

Thank you for the story, Maddad. I'm glad to see that my prefered news-source, at least, is covering it.

15 votes

#95 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:16 PM EDT

Tom-940030

I received an e-mail on this 3 weeks ago and never heard one word of it on the "News" That is truly pathetic.

16 votes

#96 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:28 PM EDT

Nofluer

Ed Freeman, MOH winner Died in August 2008. That COULD be why you're not hearing about it now.

His death was covered by the media at the time.

13 votes

#97 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:36 PM EDT

Tom-940030

Thats My point. I never heard anything on the news, And I watch it every night.

13 votes

#97.1 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:51 PM EDT

Midwestlady

Medal of Honor Recipient Ed Freeman died on Wednesday, June 25th, 2009, at the age of 80, in Boise , ID.

Oh dear, were there two of him????? Did he die this year or last year?

11 votes

#97.2 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:52 PM EDT

I went with the information I rec'vd from a friend. Below is a link that appears to be more accurate concerning the service, etc..of this great man. The date of death is August, 2008 according to the link. The facts are not different enough to change anything here that would make the article less important. Sorry for any misinformation or misunderstanding.. maddad.

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/e/ed-freeman.htm

I want to thank Nofluer for bringing the error to my attention in his comment. I will research better next time.

i added this to the article several moments ago.

15 votes

#97.3 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:55 PM EDT

crusader-637277

Regardless of when this man died his service and the service of many others like him should never be forgotten and indeed should be remembered and celebrated often. My hat is off to all of them.

7 votes

#97.4 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 9:53 AM EDT

Schroedingers Cat

Reading these postings has made me emotional to the point where I am choking up and tearing..I have to walk away from the monitor and collect myself... this makes me think of my father who is a WW2 vet and passed away in 81 and is still my hero...

5 votes

#97.5 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:52 AM EDT

ImFromTexas

Reading these postings has made me emotional to the point where I am choking up and tearing..I have to walk away from the monitor and collect myself...

Not a lot makes me want to cry, but this story does.

According to survivors of the battle the unarmed Huey returned more than 21 times with supplies, evacuating the wounded each trip. That day, more than 70 soldiers were flown to safety by Captain Freeman.

21 times he said 'I don't care what they're ordering me to do, I don't care if I get killed, I'm not letting those people die'. What a brave and amazing person.

6 votes

#97.6 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:12 PM EDT

Midwestlady

Powerful words and a more powerful story. Thank you maddad. It reminds me of something that my father once said, "Only true heros fade silently, humbly, and many times unnoticed by the world." Bless Mr. Freeman and his family.

11 votes

#98 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:37 PM EDT

Seabhac Re

This is a story, about a great American, that I would not have ignored... Thanks Maddad.

12 votes

#99 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:37 PM EDT

Garza

Thanks for this story. I love hearing peoples stories especially when they are extraordinary and often not heard.

9 votes

#100 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:37 PM EDT

NMark

Thank you to all the men and women that have been in battle and put their life on the line to help others. That is a great sacrific and I am grateful for them. I know that many people are thanking him in his or own way for his courageous deeds!

10 votes

#101 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:47 PM EDT

And since Mr. Freeman passed in August of last year, there have been 5 more Medal Of Honor recipients that have left us. Medal of Honor Society On that same page you can click on the Living Recipients, of which there are only 96. 22 from the WWII era, 14 from the Korean War era and 60 from the Vietnam era. All recipients of the Iraq War, which have been 4, have been awarded posthumously.

9 votes

#102 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:48 PM EDT

And since Mr. Freeman passed in August of last year, there have been 5 more Medal Of Honor recipients that have left us.

and this is the 1st i have heard of any of them....it is a shame we have to research to find out these heros are gone, but can't escape the news when "entertainers" die....for weeks after and i suspect for months. bless all these brave souls...

11 votes

#102.1 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:53 PM EDT

Quiz time... do you know which NBC contributor regularly posts on Newsvine and is a Medal of Honor winner??

4 votes

#102.2 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:55 PM EDT

I forgot to add that 1 Medal of Honor awared for the Afghanistan War, was awarded posthumously. Apologies to the family of Lt. Michael Murphy

9 votes

#102.3 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:34 PM EDT

Besibug-561369

Than you, Mr. Freeman for your service and to all the vets who served heroically for our country.

7 votes

#103 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:36 PM EDT

Eliana-536019

Thank you Maddad, for telling us about this great hero. His story would make a great film.

You honored him by telling his story and putting thoughts of this brave man in our hearts.

If I had thought this story was overlooked in order to continue the 24/7-weeks' coverage of the other person's demise, I, too, would have been sad that nobody chose to tell this man's story.

Maybe it was covered in August and I just missed it. If it wasn't covered, HELLO...there's an audience here, ready for a report!

9 votes

#104 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:47 PM EDT

proteus2009

Ed Freeman is coming for you. He's not Medi-Vac, so it's not his job, but he's flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire, after the Medi-Vacs were ordered not to come.He's coming anyway.And he drops it in and sits there in the machine gun fire as they load 2 or 3 of you on board.Then he flies you up and out, through the gunfire to the doctors and nurses.And he kept coming back, 13 more times, and took about 30 of you and your buddies out, who would never have gotten out.

maddad,

Your article brought me to tears. I am one of many people who was literally begging for all media to stop the over kill coverage of Michael Jackson. Farrah Fawcett got lost in that media circus as well. The only person who was probably ecstatic over the massive coverage was Gov. Mark Sanford. I am a fan of MJ's music and think of him as a music icon; but not a hero. Not like Ed Freeman and millions of others who served in past wars and the current wars who gave/give their time, lives, and love for their country daily so that I can have life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness. News coverage is all about sensationalism. Long gone are newscasters as Walter Cronkite, Edward R. Murrow, Chet Huntley & David Brinkley. I am so sad that this dis-respect of Mr. Freeman occurred. BTW, you may want to check the exact date & year of his death. I have gone to a few articles about him and date & year varies. Either way, Thank you, Ed Freeman!!

Medal of Honor Recipient Ed Freeman died August 20, 2008 at the age of 80, in Boise, ID......May God rest his soul..... Ed Freeman was a United States Army helicopter pilot who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Battle of Ia Drang during the Vietnam War. During the battle, he flew through gunfire numerous times, bringing supplies to a trapped American battalion and flying dozens of wounded soldiers to safety. Freeman was a wingman for Major Bruce Crandall who also received the Medal of Honor for the same missions.

9 votes

#105 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:50 PM EDT

BTW, you may want to check the exact date & year of his death. I have gone to a few articles about him and date & year varies.

see comment #9.3

thanks you for your comment.

7 votes

#106 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:54 PM EDT

proteus2009

I apologize "maddad." I did not read any of the posts before I posted. Next time, I'll know to read posts before commenting. Again, appreciate the article; appreciate you, all Vets and military men/women who are now in Iran & Afghanistan!!

6 votes

#106.1 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:33 AM EDT

I applaude all who put their lives on the line everyday to keep us safe. Some are onboard our ships in harm's way, instead of on land, but serving diligently and are all hero's in my way of thinking. Firemen and policemen, as well. Thank you to all who keep us safe, now, and all who served in the past. Many of our vets are now passing away of old age, everyday, unnoticed. I thank God for everyone of them for being the selfless heroes of America.

2 votes

#106.2 - Wed Jul 22, 2009 5:29 AM EDT

PenniD

If Mr. Freeman was like any of the veterans I know from the American Legion, he didn't want medals and hurrahs, he wanted to do a job, save lives, and do it to the best of his ability.

You are right, maddad, the veterans (and I am one) will come, and he will be quietly celebrated like all the rest of our fallen friends when we have our silent prayer looking at the symbolic empty chair at our next Legion meeting. These men and women are NOT forgotten, there are meetings all over the United States of the American Legion, VFW, etc. These groups never fail to remember, and I feel this is the ultimate tribute -- to be remember by those you served.

8 votes

#107 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:04 PM EDT

Spikegary

I posted this story on the June 25th here. Yours is word for word for mine-you got the same e-mail that is making the rounds.......

8 votes

#108 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:34 PM EDT

sorry i reposted...oh well we can't remember all these men enough. i am grateful to have found the link at the bottom of this one. seems someone thought changing the date of his death would make it more moving. i don't think it makes any difference.

friends request sent....

9 votes

#108.1 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:37 PM EDT

That makes 3.

6 votes

#108.2 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:41 PM EDT

Spikegary

Damn.....3! Well, that's more than he got from the MSM.

Friend request accepted!

5 votes

#108.3 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:53 PM EDT