Bush signs Dunham bill: President: Scio man's death was ‘not for naught'
ROCHESTER - History was changed Tuesday in a quiet VIP room at the Rochester International Airport when President George W. Bush signed a bill to rename the Scio post office in honor of Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham.
http://www.eveningtribune.com/articles/2006/03/15/news/news03.txt
By KATHRYN ROSS - Wellsville Daily Reporter
It was a “secret, secret,” to everyone involved, but the likelihood the event would take place in New York state with Dunham's family present was high, after the bill was passed by the U.S. Senate less than two weeks ago.
The resident met privately with the Dunham family, talking with each member and expressing his feelings with a quiet “Oh my,” after learning that Kyle Dunham plans to follow in his brother's footsteps and become a Marine after graduation from Scio Central School.
“He related to us, as a parent who understands what it means to lose a child. He was warm and funny, comfortable to be with, and easy to talk to,” said Deb Dunham.
After speaking to the Dunhams for several minutes, the president brought the group back to task.
“He was moving chairs and getting everything ready, saying we have a bill we need to sign,” she said.
After the signing, the Dunhams received the pen the president used and three presidential coins. When the Dunhams asked a bodyguard to take a photo with their camera, he joked, “ ‘What do you think, I'm not going to send you the photos' ” she said.
While they couldn't take the actual bill signed in Rochester home, the Dunhams were told they will receive a copy of the document, along with their pictures with the president and in front of Air Force One.
Dunham said she came away from the experience with the feeling that while they were at first intimidated by the Secret Service and the idea of meeting the president. “He's a nice person, very friendly and concerned.”
The President is concerned, she said, because of the lack of news coverage telling about the good things happening in Iraq.
“I've heard from Jason's friends that some really good things are happening now, and I told the president I was frustrated that no one is hearing about it. Without condemning anyone he said he was too,” she said. “We're still in contact with Jason's unit (which has been deployed for a third time in Iraq). They say the schools are open, water services are up and running and that the Iraqi soldiers are buddying with U.S. soldiers. They've got each other's back now, and they trust them - that's something that wasn't happening. That's a positive step. It's a major step. Our soldiers are there, but the Iraqis are starting to take over,” she said.
Dunham said that the president gave the family his condolences and assured them that Jason's death was “not for naught” and that he “intended to see the war through.”
Dunham died in April 2004 after sacrificing his life to protect his fellow Marines by throwing himself on a grenade. His life, heroism and death are described in the book “The Gift of Valor,” by war correspondent Michael Phillips. The Dunhams gave a copy to the president who said he will read it.
“We were briefed that we shouldn't touch him, so we weren't sure what to do, but he reached right out and shook everyone's hand,” Dunham said.
As for the renaming of the post office, Congressman John R. “Randy” Kuhl, who was at the signing, jubilantly told the Daily Reporter, “The bill's been signed.”
Kuhl initiated the bill in December 2005 and said there will be an official ceremony at a later date. Kuhl said he was pleased the bill had been signed, reiterating that he feels it's a fitting tribute to the sacrifice Dunham made.
Dunham has also been nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor, which typically takes up to two years to award.
According to Deb Dunham, they have heard little about the process because, “The military doesn't like to talk about it, but typically they award the medal no less than two years after the event and sometimes much longer afterwards.
However the Dunhams are happy with the renaming of the post office.
“The family will always remember Jason,” said Deb Dunham. “You wake up every morning and look in the mirror and think I don't have him any more, but now when our kids are grown they can look at the post office with their children and say, ‘That's my brother.' Jason's story will go on.”