Medal of Honor Recipient

The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the

Medal of Honor

to

Robert E. Simanek

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company F, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Korea, 17 August 1952. Entered service at: Detroit, Mich. Born: 26 April 1930, Detroit, Mich.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company F, in action against enemy aggressor forces. While accompanying a patrol en route to occupy a combat outpost forward of friendly lines, Pfc. Simanek exhibited a high degree of courage and a resolute spirit of self-sacrifice in protecting the lives of his fellow marines. With his unit ambushed by an intense concentration of enemy mortar and small-arms fire, and suffering heavy casualties, he was forced to seek cover with the remaining members of the patrol in a nearby trench line. Determined to save his comrades when a hostile grenade was hurled into their midst, he unhesitatingly threw himself on the deadly missile absorbing the shattering violence of the exploding charge in his body and shielding his fellow marines from serious injury or death. Gravely wounded as a result of his heroic action, Pfc. Simanek, by his daring initiative and great personal valor in the face of almost certain death, served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Mr. Simanek we are all very much grateful for putting your life at risk for others. This is one act not many can't do. Yet you where able to throw yourself at that grenade that almost killed you and your comrades. Thank you for showing us that when everything is about to go wrong their will be that one person that can save our lives. That day you launched yourself to protect them was the day you became their hero. With out men like yourself who acted quickly, our country wouldn't t be able to be called the United States of America.

Closer

Done with...
2. On Halloween go with friends egg bombing
11. Do something out of my comfort zone


On Halloween it was the the best time ever. Before going bombing we had a school dance. A lot of my friends had a good time dancing. After the dance we got together outside of Farragut and walked to Roxana's home. Yet while getting there we bought some eggs. Their was a show over by Cathedral Cafe. So with the eggs some guys ran over there and threw an egg to some of the guys in the show. It was fun having all this adrenaline running through us. Even though I might not have been throwing eggs I was still part of the process I would say. Halloween was an exciting way to end October, I'll say good since we didn't get caught by no one.


Doing something out my comfort zone this year was exciting. Last year I wouldn't really have the guts to go up to some one and introduce myself. It would always take me hours to build up confidence of myself. Now it feels comfortable and not new. Once I see some one I don't know and want to get to know them I can do it now. Now I feel more sure and confident of myself and even if I make a dork out of myself it doesn't matter. This year I guess for me, would be being more out there and capable of being anything I feel. This would be a big plus for me since not so long ago I would just run from the new people. Now I stand up and say a humble "Hello" and I made a new friend.


My goals are sooner getting closer to get done. I'm sorta sad I couldn't be a kitty or vampire for Halloween. Now I learned to save up some money for that day. Hopefully next year I get to be either one. Goal number 11 I believe everyone should do that one. It helps people have fun and feel more comfortable within them.

The Dream and The Love

"Transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers." -Martin Luther King Jr.

This quote was cheered in the "I Have a Dream" speech because a lot of people believed this act should happen. Every one should be able to stand together in what they believe in no matter the skin tone.


This is important for me because with out him pointing out the segregation problems I wouldn't be having white or black friends. Its important to me also because I would like to be together with everyone in this nation not mattering the color of their skin. I would like to be put into a debate where both black and white have the same say and stand up together.



Hope by Emily Dickinson
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,




And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.


I've heard it in the chilliest land
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
I asked a crumb of me.




Wishing
Hope is the fuzz above your lip
That sits beside your nose
And hum my song in my ear
And has no end


And sweetest taste is smelled
And love must be the boy
That could stop my small heart
That made it jump for joy


I've heard it in the summer time
And in the silent room
Yet, never, over the top
It asked to little of me






My thoughts over all was that I do believe every man and woman no matter their color could be together anywhere any time. That there shouldn't be no border between them.

"I Have a Dream"
Emily Dickinson Poems

Closer to dreams

I Interviewed my father who is 53 years old and has had a lot of ups and downs with his dreams. From looking for coins under the couch to eating out whenever we feel like. How his dreams came truea and it feels good to have worked hard for what he has now.








Jaime Ruiz, Dad













How old were you when you came to America?


I came here really young, I was 17 when I finally got here. It took me about 4 times to actually get here. Since I got here illegally.





Was it dangerous?


Yes, it was since when I came to America I passed through deserts that at night you cant see nothing.





What motivated you to get here?


Well i knew a better life was awaiting me and that this would be the greatest challenge of my life.





When you arrived to America what was you dream?


Well when I got here the 1st thing I wanted was a job. Yet I don't consider that to be my dream. Behind my my mind I knew I would go to school here and try to get as many degrees as possible. I also wanted to own two homes. One here for my future family and another in Mexico so when I would visit I'd have a place to stay.





Would you say you got all you wanted?


Yes, I got my family and the two homes. I also was able to attend college and get the degrees I wanted and needed. With hard work and dedication my dreams got accomplished and new ones were realized along the way.





With you dreams being accomplished which one do you think was the best?


Well they were all pretty neat to have accomplished. Yet I would say going to college was the best. I never thought I would be able to go and learn new things that now a days I can help my kids with. Now when any of my daughters ask for help in geometry instead of saying "I don't know", I right away understand the problems given.



Overall I believe my parents went through a lot to get to their American dreams.
Like the time they had to send my sisters inside the house because the ice cream man was coming. They didn't have enough money to buy them certain things they wanted. Yet, now a days their taking it one day at a time and enjoying their paletas Ponchos.


Dreams
what does it mean?

Should undocumented immigrants be allowed to stay in America?

I believe undocumented immigrants should stay in the United States of America.
I believe this because over the years immigrants have been coming and doing our dirty jobs. They have been getting on their knees to scrub down a toilet and sweeping after the school is closed. Yet, who are these people? Majority of them are immigrants with no legal documents. These are the only jobs they can get while in America and if there lucky, they can get a better jobs than this. America only starts complaining about immigrants when their economy is running low on jobs. Then that’s when everyone starts to complain about immigrants stealing their jobs that have been there for so long. People who come here aren’t stealing there improving their lives by seeking better places to accommodate themselves.
Immigrants come here with their families or plan to build a family. When they see an opportunity to come here they will take it with no hesitations. They know their future will be someone in life. Look at Celia Cruz and Gloria Estefan they both came from Cuba and migrated to America illegally. They became some one with their lives. Immigrants just want to improve their way of lives even if it is working for minimum wage. They know if they save the money they make here they can help those in their home land who need the help. Americans wouldn’t survive in the money they get; they should see how hard immigrants work so Americans can learn how to appreciate their well beings.
Families being separated from their kids leave the children left alone. Estimated 3 million American children who have at least one parent who entered the US illegally will be left with no parents. When their here alone they are confused and sad about what is going on. Immigrants should be able to stay for their family’s sake as well. The children who are now American citizens want their mothers and fathers here. Also the parents took them a long time for them to build a home so their children can go to school. The families want their best for their children and they can’t get it going back. Even American families should understand this, when a child only has one parent here or none they go to a lot of trouble to find them selves and start resorting to

problems.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5310549

Immigration Debate

Native Americans were the founders of America. Watch what happens when the tables are flipped and the English cant stay here because they "might steal jobs".

Getting It Done

Done with...
4. Finish My Attic
15. Help out a friend

Finishing my attic took me awhile. I had to collect magazines from my art class. The only magazine that caught my attention was Vanity Fair. They had loads of fashion designers. I've always wanted to have a wall dedicated to what i love, fashion. So with that, I did a whole wall full of fashion designers I was familiar with. My personal favorite add where for Dolce and Gabbana. They had some very creative poses and scenery. Yet, I knew I couldn't just focus on one designer because I loved them all, so my wall is full off top of the knotch designers. Starting from shoes, Jimmy Choos, to Hand bags for Prada. In the end this goal was fulfilled with my personal touch.



I don't mind helping out other people. Ive always believed if we cant help not even one person in life then we aren't really doing a good job in being a friend. This month it wasn't even a duty nor goal for me. It came from my heart to help out my best girl friend, Mariela. This situation was trusted on me because we have had a lot of trust since last year. When I talked to her on myspace she confided on me to tell me her problem. Then she asked for my advice and i sort of helped her mind clear up. She was really confused on what to do and then with the right answers i tried to get her to think right. Mariela has helped me a lot but I'm always happy to help her or anyone.


These goals were quiet easy to accomplish this month. I hope that by the next month I can get done with some of the harder ones. I mean we all can keep doing the easy ones yet, sooner or later were going to have to get down and dirty. Don't worry I'll save the ditching ones for later. Yet, I do hope that my next goals I can get a buddy to come and help me out.


Reflections:My goals accomplished this month were quiet exciting. I really do want my next goals do be daring and fun. ^_^