One Person Can Make A Difference- Mitchell Libman & 24
Medal of Honor Recipients
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| Mitchell Libman - Photo by Getty Images |
Yesterday
afternoon as I was driving to a meeting listening to NPR, I was struck by the
amazing dedication of one man whose dedication and persistence for 50 years led
to the government awarding 24 Medals of Honor to soldiers of Jewish and
Hispanic backgrounds yesterday, March 19, 2014. The story of Mitchel Libman’s
tenacity and loyalty brought tears to my eyes.
Mr.
Libman’s friend was Private First Class Leonard Kravitz [yes – uncle to the
musician], who was killed fending off the Chinese in the Korean War. He refused
to retreat, stayed at his gun facing certain death, and took a courageous
stand. Kravitz was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, but Libman thought
he deserved the Medal of Honor. So he
began writing to his congressman, Robert Wexler, to lobby for his friend’s
cause. In the process he started to investigate other cases of Jewish
combatants that had exhibited bravery in battle that he believed should have been
considered for the Medal of Honor.
Congressman
Wexler, at the urging of Libman, sponsored the Lenny Kravitz Jewish War
Veterans Act of 2001, which also included an investigation into acts of valor
by Hispanic soldiers that had gone unrecognized. The bill led to an
investigation into 6000 cases and the ceremony yesterday that honored these 24
individuals – many posthumously.
Wow!
We often wonder if what one man or woman does matters. But this is a prime
example that the actions of one man and his wife who sought for 50 years what
they believe is justice does matter.
They didn’t stop in the quest. And their activism on behalf of one
treasured friend resulted in 24 families being honored for the heroism and
sacrifices of their loved ones. These are the real heroes, those who quietly,
persistently, and honorably pursue a mission. Mr. Libman is as much a hero as
those that were honored yesterday. I am humbled.
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